SKOKIE, Illinois—When “Fiddler on the Roof” opened on Broadway in 1964, this Golden Age of Broadway musical had a nostalgic appeal, as it looked back to an old-world culture. That made the show charming and engaging. Now, against the backdrop of what is going on in the world, the revival at Music Theater Works in Skokie, Illinois, while still joyous entertainment, has taken on a deeper, more intense, and contemporary significance.
The musical was adapted from Yiddish author Sholem Aleichem’s tales about Jewish life in the Pale of Settlement, more specifically, during the pogroms of Czarist Russia in 1905.
The Jewish creators of the musical—book by Joseph Stein, music by Jerry Bock, and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick—believed that they would never have to face the anti-Semitism from which their parents had escaped. But history has a way of repeating itself, especially for those ignorant of it.
A Faithful Production
Music Theater Works’s reincarnation still tells the story of a family trying to hold on to its traditions despite persecution. The family seeks to maintain their culture, livelihood, identity, and ultimately their home. The focus of “Fiddler” is still on Tevye, a poor dairyman who asks for God’s help in providing for his family and marrying off his three eldest daughters.
The big difference between this and previous presentations, however, is L. Walter Stearns’s flawless direction. The story unwinds in a flashback. It begins as the Jewish townspeople pack up their belongings and prepare to leave their poor little village. As Tevya narrates the traditions of their people, the scenes of his life unwind and then later return to this starting point as the people depart from their homes.
The setting by Bob Knuth of simple wood furnishings and the costuming by kClare McKellaston lack the flamboyant color of the original Broadway show, but the darker hues better suggest the the villagers’ poverty. Andrew Meyers’ shadowy lighting effects emphasize their gray, harsh lives.
Everything else about the show is faithful to the original. The delicious musical score, with an orchestra under the leadership of Eugene Dizon, delivers wonderful renditions of Bock’s glorious songs. Harnick’s terrific lyrics still stand out: “Tradition,” “Matchmaker,” “Sabbath Prayer” and the effusive and spirited “To Life.” Moreover, there’s still the athletic Bottle Dance scene, choreographed by Marla Lampert, in which men and women break with old custom and discover the joy of dancing together.
Furthermore, the portrayal of all the wonderful characters in “Fiddler” are exceptional. Tevye, played with great humanity by Sam Nachison, is riveting, especially when he questions God in “If I Were a Rich Man,” and in a duet with his long-suffering wife Golde (the delightful Mitzi Smith) in “Do You Love Me.”
Others who contribute wonderful performances include Sara Stern as a funny Yente who is looking for matches for Tevye’s three eldest daughters, Tzeitel (Madison Uphoff), Hodel (Elisa Newcorn) and Chava (Madison Jaffe-Richter).
The men dance in what may be the musical’s most famous scene, in “The Fiddler on the Roof.” (Brett Beiner)Since tradition is being overturned, the daughters ignore Yente’s help and find husbands on their own. Tzeitel ends up with Motel the tailor (a wonderful “Miracle of Miracles” by Nathan Kabara), Hodel with the revolutionary Perchik (Jacob Simon), and Chava with Fvedka, the not-of-the-faith Russian (Jake Mickel). Although Tevye isn’t pleased with his daughters’ choices, he goes along with two of them But he can’t abide the marriage of Chava to a Russian, whom he considers part of the anti-Semitic oppressors.
At 2 hours, 45 minutes long, “Fiddler” is one of the Broadway’s longest musicals, but it’s so breathtaking and compelling that it moves swiftly. By the time the show ends and we watch the huddled villagers trudging from their little town as they sing the plaintive “Anatevka,” the audience struggles to hold back tears.
The bride Tzeitel (Madison Uphoff) ends up with Motel (Nathan Kabara) the tailor, celebrated in their traditional wedding, in “The Fiddler on the Roof” full circle. (Brett Beiner)This profound and powerful production is not only an extraordinary classic that provides uplifting entertainment and life lessons, but it’s a poignant reminder of the crucial importance of staying true to one’s faith, of holding family and friends close, and to fighting for goodness in a world that sometimes seems to have gone mad.
‘Fiddler on the Roof’
Music Theater Works
North Shore Center for the Performing Arts
9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, Ill.
Tickets: 847-673-6300 or MusicTheaterWorks.com
Runs: 2 hours, 45 minutes (one intermission)
Closes: Aug. 17, 2025
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