Review: 'Fiddler on the Roof' at Immaculate High School

“I hope that our production will resonate so our audiences understand that the Jewish community of Anatevka in 1905 shares a lot in common with any community in 2017 that struggles with looking after one’s family or that is oppressed. The spirit of ‘Fiddler’ is the spirit of enduring, living by one’s faith, and of family.” - director Matthew Farina

Danbury, CT - Immaculate High School’s Fine Arts Department transitioned last year to a new production team that set out to uphold the program’s reputation of excellence with a well-received production of ‘Oklahoma.’ This year director Matthew Farina chose to take on the timeless and universal themes in the musical ‘Fiddler on the Roof.’ In his detailed director’s note, he enumerates the benefits of doing theatre with high school students: commitment, discipline, respect, community, passion and work ethic. The choice of the beloved ‘Fiddler’ allowed him to expose the students at this private, Catholic school to the timeless “Tradition” that defines the core values of faith, family and community. “It is my vision that our production will add new life to this classic musical by examining it from its historical context and connect it with the culture of our world in 2016-2017.”

‘Fiddler’ is a big musical with music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, and a book by Joseph Stein. It is set in the Pale of Settlement of Imperial Russia in the year 1905 and the story centers on Tevye, a father blessed with five daughters in an era when the matchmaker arranges marriages. Tevye attempts to maintain his Jewish religion and cultural traditions as outside influences increasingly encroach upon the family’s lives.

Because the cast included over 50 Immaculate students, the family member groups were large in the opening number “Tradition” and the dancing with stamping was strong. There were two small tables in every aisle for the beautiful “Sabbath Prayer,” allowing all audience members to have a close up view of a family gathered around candles for prayer. A decent-sized platform was erected in the middle of the main aisle and was used for several key outdoor scenes. While this forced the audience members in the first eight rows to turn their heads around to watch every time it was illuminated, it worked for those seated in the back of the gym and on the bleachers on the side. I liked that we in the front rows got a close-up view of many performers as they walked to the platform from the stage.

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The director, who is a third grade teacher at Redding Elementary School by day, has choreographed at the Warner Theatre and Musicals at Richter, earning him may OnStage accolades. It was not surprising that this production featured outstanding choreography that was mastered by every dancer, especially evident in “To Life” and the bottle dancing of “The Wedding.” Musical direction was done by alum and WCSU graduate Samantha Murtha who is now director of the choirs at Immaculate and the show was produced by alum Aislinn Gavin. The lobby design was an extensive and well-researched study of Jewish culture and the cover/logo design was by student (and bottle dancer) Matt Olencki.

Congratulations to the students at Immaculate High School and the adults who now work with them on an excellent production of this classic musical. It was clear that everyone had worked hard to make it all happen.'

Photos courtesy of Immaculate High School

Nancy Sasso Janis is a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle and a Connecticut Critic for OnStage blog. She continues to contribute theatre news to local Patch.com sites. Check out her new Facebook page Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and follow her on Twitter @nancysjanis417