Fiddler on the Roof
at Santa Margarita Catholic High School

Reviewed on April 5, 2017

Teyo Jacobson
Laguna Hills High School
Submitted for publication to OC Varsity Arts

Santa Margarita Catholic High School's "Fiddler on the Roof" Plays a Beautiful Tune

With its wonderful storytelling, interesting characters, and energetic environment Santa Margarita Catholic High School's "Fiddler on the Roof" comes to life. Depicting the struggles between faith and family, as well as tradition versus change, "Fiddler on the Roof" successfully plays many different and unique tunes.

The story takes place in Anatevka, a fictional society near Russia that features a Jewish community. In a world changing all around them, Anatevka has retained its traditions for generations, and in this way has retained a hold on its own little world. The story follows Tevye, excellently played by Dylan Field, a very traditional man who has a wife and five daughters. Three of his daughters are almost of age to marry and that is where a majority of the story occurs.

Lauren McNair stands out as Tzeitel, the eldest daughter of Tevye (who along with her two sisters, Hannah Loessberg as Hodel and Katie Flores as Chava) all have their own idea of the ideal person they want to marry. The three main sisters enjoy a very good chemistry that continues throughout the show. Their other parent Golde (played by Sabrina Boyd) burst onto the scene with great energy and facial expressions.

However, the community of Anatevka isn't just Tevye's family there are many other characters and people that although they have a smaller part still shine. Alec Melosini as Perchik, Louise Griffin as the Fiddler, and Ethan Leahy as the Rabbi each bring unique elements to the show. Backed by an excellent ensemble cast who keeps their energy throughout the show "Fiddler on the Roof" cast is ecstatic and very fun to watch.

To add to the show even further are the technical aspects of the show. Many technical aspects of "Fiddler on the Roof" are detailed and complex. The props by Leighton Holritz and Nicole Rosenow are plentiful and effective for their given purposes. The sound by Mike Juergens is a complex and effective system that doesn't fail to deliver as you can always hear the actors. Aided by excellent stage management by John Maechler the show runs smooth as a whistle.

Santa Margarita Catholic High School's "Fiddler on the Roof" is an excellent and very detailed show whose acting and technical elements will have you singing, clapping, and laughing along the way.

Sofia Migliaccio
Mission Viejo High School
Submitted for publication to OC Varsity Arts

Santa Margarita Reaches New Heights with "Fiddler on the Roof"

"Fiddler on the Roof" at Santa Margarita is a beautiful representation of how conflicting cultures can temporarily come together in peace.

The show opens to Tevye, who has five daughters, three of which who want to marry against his wishes: Tzeitel (Lauren McNair), Hodel (Hannah Loessberg), and Chava (Katie Flores). For a culture so deeply rooted in tradition, Tevye and his wife Golde (Sabrina Boyd) struggle to accept their daughters' requests and find conflict between their family and their faith.

Tevye (Dylan Field) gives a convincing performance. His interactions with his wife and daughters develops him into a softer and more thoughtful man. His booming voice contrasts from this softer side we occasionally see. You see this high energy through big eyes and wide facial expressions. Field is also able to sustain an authentic and realistic accent throughout the whole show. This accent fell over into his singing which enhanced his character even more.

Another notable performance comes from Golde. Boyd had great comedic timing; she bursts into a scene at the perfect moment. She instantly changes the dynamics of a moment with her wide eyes and loud outbursts. This high energy gave Tevye a character to feed off of, bringing the entire show's energy up. The two also had voices that blend nicely. In "Sunrise, Sunset", Tevye and Golde's voices mix into one unified voice. This also reflects their power as a couple against the tribulations brought on by the Russians.

The stage crew does an exceptional job handling the numerous sets in this show. Benjamin Erhardt, Chloe Grubb, Makena Horn, and Libby Katzman make up the stage crew. Transitions in between scenes are performed in a timely manner and never take away from the show with issues or distractions. There are many different large set pieces, like Tevye's house, that greatly contribute to the illusion of an earlier time period and foreign culture. The set was adapted by Leighton Holritz and KC King.

There is also a numerous amount of props used in this production. The Prop Manager is Leighton Holritz and the Prop Crew is Nicole Rosenow. Many of the props once again reinforced the idea of a different culture, like the rope separating men and women at the wedding.

"Fiddler on the Roof" elevates a beautiful story of different cultures with beautiful acting and sets.

Jessy Nelson
Laguna Hills High School
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook Page

Mazel Tov to Santa Margarita's Fiddler

In 1905, in a small village in Imperial Russia. One thing matters to all, above all else; tradition. Well, unless you're one of the three oldest daughters of Tevya, the milkman. It is tradition that a woman is matched to a man, then they get married, but Tzeitel, Hotel, and Chava fight against gossip, their parents, and at times their faith, in order to spend their lives married for love. Santa Margarita Catholic High School's production of Fiddler on the Roof is filled with lots to love.

Dylan Field as Tevya truly makes his character a special one. Field's energy never falters. Between wide smiles with big arm gestures and booty shakes, or a soft hearted song about family and insecurities, Field remains honest on stage. This is highly prevelant when Tevya turns around to be a goofy romantic with his wife, Golde, played by Sabrina Boyd. Boyd plays up Golde with a screeching babble and boisterous nag. Although Boyd stands as a comedic relief in most scenes, when sitting with her husband having a heart to heart, she shows how soft she really is. With delicate vocals and nervous hands the pair astonish as they sing "Do You Love Me?" and discover that they truly did learn to love they're arranged spouse.

A truly stand out cast member is Hannah Baker as Yente, the matchmaker. Baker's very old widowed persona, bent over and shouting every phrase, shows a great contrast to that of the three sisters. As the girls exhibit whimsy ideals of running away with their true love, Yente is unaffected and continues her loud and unconventional matchmaking.

The ensemble as a whole has nonstop energy and smiles. The diverse cast of villagers each brings something new and different to each scene. The ensemble's dancing stood out especially, remaining well executed, in-sync, and punctual throughout the entire show.

The productions cast works in exquisite unison with the production crew. The stage's set crew works quietly and efficiently during setting changes, never pulling from the performance or distracting. Another element that adds greatly to the immersion of the show is props executed by Leighton Holritz. Holritz's pieces add a great sense of time period and setting to each scene in a slightly different way.

Overall, Santa Margarita's Cast and crew are a perfect match for Fiddler on the Roof.