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'Fiddler's' theme of old vs. new will still resonate
By JOY DAVIS-PLATT © St. Petersburg Times, published October 20, 2000 HUDSON -- In a world where food and money are scarce, a man hopes at least to find comfort in the tradition of family.
Starting today, the Show Palace Dinner Theatre in Hudson will present the musical that has fascinated audiences since its 1964 Broadway opening. "This is a tale of people in real emotional crisis," director Steven Flaa said. "But despite the show's solemn themes, it is wonderfully uplifting." Tevye has raised five daughters in czarist Russia with his wife, Golda. For 25 years, the couple has lived in the impoverished, mostly Jewish village of Anatevka, where they are constantly harassed by Russian soldiers "just doing their jobs." The dairyman's simple life is suddenly complicated when his grown daughters contemplate marriage. The deeply traditional Golda hopes to arrange unions with rich husbands; Tevye wants to choose husbands who are intellectuals. But right there in tradition-bound Anatevka, the daughters decide to ignore their parents' wishes and choose their own husbands. Tampa actor Joshua Sussman, who playes Tevye, said the stories of Sholom Aleichem (adapted for stage by Jerry Bock, Sheldon Harnick and Joseph Stein) capture the essence of characters in the throes of profound change. "His stories are of people," said Sussman, who is making his Show Palace debut. "The fact that they are Jewish and live in small Russian villages is secondary to that." With a crew of 10, set designer Tom Hansen has re-created turn-of-the-century Anatevka, Russia. At the show's opening, stark colors and muted lighting set the mood for the show's serious themes. "We do our very best to give a nice background for these actors," said Hansen. "We try to be as exact and as real as we can, but it's just part of the whole picture." Susan Falcone, who plays the ever-serious Golda, is making her return to the Show Palace after a two-year hiatus. Since having a son 10 months ago, Falcone, who lives in Hudson, said the show's themes of family and tradition resonate with her. "After having a baby, this show is even more poignant to me," said Falcone, who describes herself as "naturally maternal." "The sense of family and the old-fashioned ways turning modern really speak to people. The stories are heartrending." As a counterpoint to the story of how aging parents deal with their upstart daughters and the brutality of the Russian government, Fiddler on the Roof is known for several catchy, up-tempo songs, musical director Bill Cusick said. Audiences respond to songs such as Matchmaker, Matchmaker and If I Were A Rich Man with a sense of nostalgia, he said. "They know many of the songs like Sunrise, Sunset," said Cusick, who joined the Show Palace one year ago. "That's a song many people had at their wedding." If you goWHAT: Fiddler on the Roof WHEN: Show opens today and runs through Nov. 26. Performances are at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and some Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays. Doors open two hours before each show for buffet and cash bar. WHERE: Show Palace Dinner Theatre, 16128 U.S. 19 Hudson TICKETS: Dinner and show are $35.95; show only, $24.95; age 12 and younger, $19.95 and $14.95, all plus tax and tip. Call (727) 863-7949 or toll free (888) 655-7469.
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
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From today's Hernando Times |
