The Muny’s "Fiddler On the Roof" captivates with timeless themes and poignant performances

The Muny’s current production of “Fiddler On the Roof” restores the meaning and luster to the word timeless. In recent years, many classic musicals have been adapted or revised to better align their stories, themes or characters with “modern sensibilities.” They often carry the diminishing caveat that they are best understood as “of their time.” Ouch.  

This production of  “Fiddler,” under the excellent direction of Rob Ruggiero, receives a solid, respectful and relevant treatment with deeply affecting performances and an evocative set design. This production is the definition of timeless and a welcome Muny-style theatrical experience that resonates with universal themes of faith, family and perseverance amidst upheaval.

The first indication of the quality of this production is the set design by Tijana Bjelajac and lighting by John Lasiter. This musical was inspired by a painting by Marc Chagall, and this set captures the precarious balance of tradition and change of Chagall’s artwork. The set is admirable for its evocative use of the village’s humble buildings, inside and out, and the twin, skeletal ramparts that hang, watchfully and woefully, above the stage.

Most of Lasiter’s lighting is understated in a good way, with judicious and highly effective use of more noticeable and more dramatic lighting during Tevye’s inner monologues.

The set also includes screens for video projections, designed by Kevan Loney. Most of the projections are impressionistic and appropriately serve to unobtrusively augment the action on the set. However, during Tevye’s “The Dream” song, the projections, with a garish, in-your-face ghost surrounded by a graveyard and swirling leaves, are jarring and call too much attention to themselves.

Adam Heller excels as the Job-like Tevye with warmth, humor and depth. Unlike other larger-than-life portrayals of this character, Heller brings Tevye’s struggles, joys and complexities to life with a blend of comedic timing and poignant sincerity. This restrained approach works well to make Tevye a relatable character rather than overly domineering.

Cheryl Stern provides a standout performance as Yente. the matchmaker. “Fiddler” makes tremendous use of humor to balance the more serious aspects of the story, and Stern’s Yente is the embodiment of that humor. Stern’s sharp wit and comedic flair add a layer of humor, charm and social commentary to Yente’s role as narrative catalyst.

As Tevye’s long-suffering wife, Golde, Jill Abramovitz delivers a strong presence with as much emotional range as the role can offer. She balances Golde’s practicality and no-nonsense attitude with moments of tenderness and vulnerability to create a believable and compelling partner to Tevye. Her “Do You Love me?” duet with Heller is certainly one of the most emotionally resonant scenes in this production.

 The “second fiddles” in this production are a strong cast of supporting actors, singers and dancers. Among them is Emerson Glick as Chava, the third and most controversial of the five daughters. Chava marries outside the faith and challenges the core of Tevye’s beliefs, traditions and empathy. Glick’s performance, especially in the scenes with Heller, are heart-rending and real. Clay Singer as Perchik, a radical student who challenges traditional norms and brings new political ideas into the village, effectively portrays a young man filled with honor and idealism.

Also noteworthy among the dance sequences is the “Bottle Dance” in the wedding scene showcases impressive balance and coordination by the group of  “Bottle Dancers.”

“Fiddler On the Roof” is one of musical theater’s most literary. It’s based on stories by the prominent Yiddish author Sholem Aleichem. There is no rousing reprise or climactic feel-good song at the end. As the characters solemnly leave the stage, after the haunting “Exodus,” their resolve calls to mind something Tevye says in the prologue, “Without our traditions, our lives would be as shaky as... as a fiddler on the roof!”

This moment alone is reason to engage in the tradition of seeing a Muny production in general and “Fiddler On the Roof” in particular.

“Fiddler On The Roof” continues at the Muny in Forest Park nightly at 8:15 through July 25. For information on this and upcoming productions, visit the Muny web site.