Keep “Tradition” Alive: Fiddler on the Roof at Burlington County Footlighters is a Must See!

by Cassidy Scherz

If you are looking for an activity for the papas, the mamas, the sons, and the daughters this weekend, stop by Burlington County Footlighters to see their production of Fiddler on the Roof! This classic musical tells the story of Tevye, his wife, Golde, and their five daughters as they navigate religion, community, and class in their small, Jewish town of Anatevka in the year 1905. The family begins to assimilate into a rapidly progressing world - the three oldest daughters challenge the notion of arranged marriage, preferring instead to marry for love, and the people of Anatevka must learn to cohabitate with their gentile neighbors despite the growing anti-Semitism they face. This musical tells a story of love, heartbreak, family, and, above all, tradition.

The set, simple at first glance, expands into brilliantly constructed rooms and houses, designed by Jim Frazer. Tevye’s home, positioned center stage, opens up to reveal a kitchen and a living room, while houses situated on either side expand to serve as Motel’s tailor shop and the village tavern. Trees lining the sides of the stage evoke a rustic outdoor atmosphere, immersing the audience in the timeworn and impoverished town of Anatevka. Frazer does a wonderful job of maximizing the use of space, making the stage feel much larger than it initially appeared. Properties master Kevin Pavon (as well as Avram, the Bookseller) nicely enhances the set with his work, and the pair efficiently transports the audience back in time with raw and weathered visuals. Lighting, designed by Jim Frazer and Heidi Kleber, is minimal and truly enhances each scene. The use of spotlighting for solo numbers draws the audience’s attention to individual characters, and large group numbers are well lit at every corner of the stage. 

Under the direction of Jonathan Edmondson, this production of Fiddler on the Roof remains true to its history, communicating important messages that resonate strongly in today’s climate. Edmondson did not shy away from the original content, instead choosing to bluntly and unapologetically reiterate the main themes of the musical through his direction. Actors are accompanied by a live orchestra, which I greatly appreciate and applaud; however, I do feel that the tempo in the first act dragged a bit at times, which affected the overall energy. Picking up the pace slightly may help to better engage the audience and maintain momentum. Despite this, the orchestra and the cast, with the guidance of music director Peg Smith, work in tandem to produce beautiful harmonies and compelling musical numbers. Choreographer Elizabeth Baldwin does a delightful job of incorporating the traditional dances from Fiddler on the Roof that we all know and love. She also makes efficient use of the space on the stage - large numbers never feel crowded or overwhelming. Baldwin was also responsible for the cohesive and historically accurate costume design, which really ties the show together. Sean McGarry did a phenomenal job as Fight Choreographer guiding the cast to a safe and thorough performance.

Tevye is a very personal role to me, as I had the opportunity to play the character at 9 years old (yes, I was fabulous). Therefore, when I say that Marc Donovan’s portrayal of Tevye is one of the best that I’ve seen, I am not exaggerating. His humor, his commitment, and his care for this role come through in every single scene, and he had the entire audience laughing on many occasions. While his playfulness never falters, his ability to quickly shift to a more serious tone is captivating. Donovan truly allows the audience to experience the full range of human emotion within the two-and-a-half-hour musical, and I am incredibly impressed by his performance.

Carrie Rupnow-Kidd complements Donovan terrifically as Tevye’s cynical and strong-willed wife, Golde. Like Donovan, her wit is unparalleled, and her nuanced understanding of the character shines through. It is difficult to affect the audience in the same way that you do the other actors on stage, but Rupnow-Kidd does so flawlessly. Her strong presence and command of the stage are a pleasure to experience, and I will admit, her presence was so commanding that I almost felt like she might scold me, too.

Mary Sudol, Alaina Stampe, and Jamie Sheffer, playing Tzeitel, Hodel, and Chava, respectively, beautifully embody the sweet, hot-headed, and passionate sisters. They each bring a unique personality to their characters while maintaining a genuine connection with one another. One moment that stood out to me was the very end of the song “Matchmaker,” in which Stampe threw something for Sudol to catch. Instead, the object hit Sudol, and the three girls laughed through the end of the song, which I found extremely endearing. I was wowed by Sudol’s ability to convey an authentic, nurturing energy, Stampe’s elegant vocals in “Far From the Home I Love,” and Sheffer’s powerful emotion in Act II. 

Justin Drayton, Matt Becker, and Mark Rebilas bring great chemistry to their roles opposite their romantic counterparts as Motel, Perchik, and Fyedka, respectively. Vocal performances by Drayton and Becker are standouts, and each actor perfectly encapsulates the charm of these characters. Phyllis Josephson and Steve Rogina give notable performances as Yente, the Matchmaker, and Lazar Wolf, adding humor and playfulness to every scene they are in. 

And, of course, what is Fiddler on the Roof without its talented and well-rounded ensemble? “Sabbath Prayer” brought me close to tears, as did the wholesome picture of “Sunrise, Sunset.” I especially enjoyed “To Life,” showcasing the artistry of Colby Crawford, Ian Mulreaney, and others. “The Dream,” featuring Shelly Bromberg as Grandma Tzeitel and Alex Keith as Fruma-Sarah, was wonderfully creepy, and “The Rumor” was an absolutely joyful escape from the otherwise dark second act. The energy, the coordination, and the harmonies brought such life to this musical, and I appreciate the commitment of each and every actor to telling this story. Rounding out this energetic cast are Abby Fried (Sprintze), Cecilia Johnson (Bielke), Braden Maurer-Burns (Mordcha, the Innkeeper), Matt Kostovny (Rabbi), Tim Catrino (Mendel), Kevin Pavon (Avram), Jim Fried (Constable), Angela Lindner (Shaindel), Jen Kaiser (Rifka), Amanda Dranchak (Mirala), Lisa Croce (Ester), Catherine Baldwin (Anya), Paul Esmond (Hershel), and Charlotte Fried (Gregor). Each performer showcased their talent throughout the entire production.

As mentioned in the Director’s Note, Fiddler on the Roof is an especially poignant story in today’s atmosphere. However, while hatred and sadness still undeniably exist, we must not forget that love and happiness exist in much more abundance. This show is a beautiful reminder that, even in uncertain times, community and miracles will prevail. Fiddler on the Roof plays now through May 17 at Burlington County Footlighters. You can purchase tickets here: https://tickets.bcfootlighters.com/