Fiddler on the Roof
at Osbourn High School

Reviewed on April 14, 2018

Katherine Kelly
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

Lights illuminate the silhouette of a sole fiddler standing on top of a building, and with a few piercing notes, Osbourn High School's Fiddler on the Roof begins. The symbolism of this precariously balanced musician mirrors the Jewish communities' uncertain fate in a complex story of poverty, persecution, tradition, and family. Become immersed in the town of Anatevka and experience their hardships and celebrations in an unforgettable tale.

Fiddler on the Roof is based on a series of short stories written by Sholem Aleichem between 1894 and 1914 called Tevye and his Daughters. It was adapted into a musical with music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, and book by Joseph Stein, opening on Broadway in 1964. The story centers around Tevye, a poor Jewish man with 5 daughters, living in Imperial Russia in 1905. In Anatevka, Jewish tradition is important, but the community constantly faces persecution and uncertainty. Meanwhile, Tevye must come to terms with his daughters growing older and making their own decisions, even if it means deviating from what he has always known.

Jordan Drake as Tevye was filled with energy from start to finish, whether bouncing around the stage dreaming of riches or flailing wildly while celebrating in a bar. His laudable physical comedy never skipped a beat, and he was a constant source of entertainment. Complementing Tevye was his family, especially his wife Golde played by Sage McAndrew. McAndrew delivered perfectly a jocular bickering with Tevye, and her stellar vocal ability was the highlight of many musical numbers. Among Tevye and Golde's daughters, Erica Burns as Tzeitel captured a rebellious nature from the beginning, while Izzy Lucas as Hodel and Kylee Donovan as Chava moved effortlessly from accepting and innocent to rebelling against tradition and seeking their own happiness.

Other onstage standouts included Jarin Wildman as Perchick, a revolutionary teacher who falls in love with Hodel. He emanated a gentle sweetness when with her, and together their chemistry was endearing. Comedic characters, as well, were notable: Phillip Jones as Lazar Wolfe, a suitor for Tzeitel, elicited peals of laughter in his bar scene with Tevye, and Julianna Misas-Segovia as Grandma Tzeitel impressed during "The Dream".

Efficient technical elements helped tie the production together, including a lively orchestra, a set with moving and multifunctional pieces, and colorful costumes. The orchestra, especially, was applaudable, adding boundless energy to each memorable song.

Osbourn High School's production of Fiddler on the Roof delivered heavy themes of faith and family with aplomb, while also capturing humor and fun in lighthearted moments. The school successfully put on a performance sure to reach many and make every viewer want to return for more.

Lindsey Jacobson
Oakton High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

In a battle between old ideas and new, how can one find love? This question is tackled amidst singing, dancing, and a little bit of drinking in Osbourn High School's production of "Fiddler on the Roof."

First premiering on Broadway in 1964, Fiddler on the Roof is based on "Tevye and His Daughters" by Sholem Aleichem. The original production held the record for longest-running Broadway musical for almost 10 years, and won nine Tony Awards, including the award for Best Musical. It later saw an acclaimed film adaptation in 1971, as well as five Broadway revivals.

The show follows the life of a poor dairyman, Tevye, and his attempts to maintain his Jewish "Tradition" as outside influences encroach upon his village, his family, and himself. Jordan Drake stole the show as leading man, Tevye. Complete with stellar comedic timing as well as genuine contrasts during intimate moments, Drake made it clear that Tevye's devotion to his family is unlike anything else. With expert characterization of the loving, yet overbearing father, his crazy antics, and a stool that he would dramatically pull out to rant on, Drake pulled out all the stops. He maintained a phenomenal accent throughout the entire production, as well as having wonderful diction, which is extremely commendable.

Gracing the stage as his wife Golde, Sage McAndrew brought a steady balance to Tevye's hot head and high energy. Creating genuine connections with Drake, Golde showed great maturity and the pair had great chemistry as the husband and wife who had been married for so long. As their five daughters, Tzeitel, Hodel, Chava, Shprintze, and Bielke, Erin Burns, Izzy Lucas, Kylee Donovan, Megan Reed, and Jackie Hertz, respectively, charmed the audience. One by one, as the daughters marry off, each in unorthodox ways, the family dynamic shifts, and each girl brought a new energy to the stage when it did.

In a commendable performance was Phillip Jones as Lazar Wolfe, the butcher who had tried to take Tzeitel's hand in marriage. Jones and Drake created one of the most memorable scenes in the show, leaving audiences shouting "L'chaim!" ("To Life!"). Jones and Drake possessed a phenomenal chemistry and were one of the most interesting pairs to watch interact on stage. Equally as notable was Meave Wilhoit, as Yente, the matchmaker. Consistent throughout the entire production with both characterization and physicality, Wilhoit kept the audience laughing.

Although "Tradition" says I need a "Matchmaker" to find a match, I don't need to a matchmaker to know that "The Fiddler on the Roof" at Osbourn High School is my match.

Kathryn Shepherd
Hayfield Secondary School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com

Since its debut in 1964, Fiddler on the Roof has been entertaining audiences with this story of marriages, conflict, and breaking traditions, Osbourn High School's adaptation was no different. With high energy and dedication from the cast, the audience was transported to a small Russian town in the early 20th century to follow the plight of Tevye, his family, and his community.

Well acclaimed and receiving plaudits even in its genesis, Fiddler on the Roof has thrived through the test of time. The story centers on Tevye and his attempts to preserve his Jewish religious and cultural traditions with odds stacked dangerously against him. He faces both the headstrong actions of his three older daughters, who wish to marry for love and the Tsar's mandate that casts the Jews from their homes and their village.

As the central character of the show, Jordan Drake portraying Tevye epitomizes exuberance. With unmatched physicality, Drake illustrates Tevye's emotions and motives clearly, adding touches of comedy when appropriate. Additionally, he was able to express the multi-faceted nature of the character with the juxtaposition of more comedic scenes and the scenes with his daughters that tug at the heartstrings. He dedicated himself to his character with a fitting accent and vocals to match.

A pronounced counterpart to Tevye, Sage McAndrew as Golde greatly contributed to the successes in the show. Her vocals were exceptional and melded well with Drake's. The pair had a wonderful dynamic as seen in "The Dream" and "Do You Love Me." Her biting sarcasm and comedic timing made her an audience favorite as she antagonized Tevye.

Featured members of the town also made this show memorable. Julianna Misas-Segovia as Grandma Tzeitel set herself apart in "The Dream" with a standout character voice and her ability to characterize in a short amount of stage time. Precipitating laughs with every appearance, Emma Elston as Mordcha the innkeeper and Maria Seaberg as the Rabbi were also notable in their comedic capacity. When energy was high, the inhabitants of Anatevke added a new dimension of enjoyment to the show with a full sound and solid vocals.

Technical aspects such as the costumes and the set brought the audience closer to the story. The costumes were accurate culturally and from a period standpoint, and the attention to detail was admirable. The set was impressive due to the adaptability of a few of the larger pieces. Not to be overlooked, the orchestra was phenomenal. There wasn't a mistake to be heard throughout the entire show, and they were incredibly successful in amplifying the tone of a scene or song.

Osbourn High School took a show that has been well loved for decades and transformed it into something unique and their own. With the dedication and energy demonstrated throughout, their adaptation of Fiddler on the Roof has presented itself as entertaining and a show to remember.

Madelyn Khoury
Thomas Jefferson High School for Sci/Tech
Submitted for publication to Lorton Valley Star

A lone spotlight cuts through the dark of the auditorium and brightens an otherwise dark stage, illuminating a violin-wielding man perched a story above the ground. This, the first scene of Osbourn High School's Fiddler on the Roof, introduces the audience to the protagonist Tevye and his bustling village, Anatevke.

Fiddler on the Roof opened on Broadway in 1964, to great critical acclaim: it won nine Tony awards and became for a time the record holder for longest-running Broadway musical. The story follows Tevye in his attempts to find suitable husbands for his three eldest daughters – though his daughters have different ideas about what constitutes the perfect husband. Set in a Jewish shtetl in 1905, as Tevye wrestles with his hope to see his daughters happy and his desire to uphold tradition, the Jews face increasing persecution from the Tsarist regime.

Tevye, played by Jordan Drake, was the heartbeat that kept the show alive; his constant energy, impeccable comedic and dramatic timing, and admirably consistent and accurate character voice gave his Tevye convincing maturity. Throughout the production, when faced with a difficult decision, Tevye would speak to God, a single spotlight on him while the rest of the actors froze. Besides being a brilliant directing choice, it was in these moments that Drake really shone, capturing Tevye's inner struggle with an anguished voice.

Tevye's wife, Golde (Sage McAndrew), captivated the audience with her vocal strength and control; one of her best moments was "Sunrise, Sunset". Tevye and Golde had excellent chemistry, capturing the complex relationship between the two with body language and intonation; their sweet duet "Do You Love Me?" was one of the most enjoyable numbers of the show. McAndrew's chastising tone and comedic timing worked well with her character. The dynamic between the three oldest daughters – Tzeitel (Erin Burns), Hodel (Izzy Lucas), and Chava (Kylee Donovan) – also worked well, particularly in "Matchmaker, Matchmaker".

The suitors of the daughters – the bold Lazar Wolfe (Phillip Jones); Fyedka (Kyle Barros), who had an excellent voice; Perchik (Jarin Wildman), whose chemistry with Lucas was electric; and Motel (Jordan Sandoval), who gave his character lovable nervousness – all added to the production with their distinctive character choices.

The group of Russians were another highlight, one moment doing acrobatics and the next crashing a wedding, all the while displaying a clear team dynamic. Despite moments of low energy by the ensemble, its musical prowess was obvious, particularly in the opening number, "Tradition". Although small, the ensemble produced a rich, full sound complete with laudably-executed dynamics and harmonies. As a complement, the orchestra played masterfully, creating an altogether musically-strong show.

The detailed sets and convincing makeup immersed the audience in the story, though some of the scene-changes distracted somewhat from the action on stage. However, the color scheme of the costumes and simple but effective choreography – which was particularly good in "To Life" – both added to the appeal of the show.

Osbourn High School's performance of Fiddler on The Roof tackled the challenging show with admirable effort, stunning audiences with the musical ability of the cast and pit. With a timeless message of family and tradition, this is one show that will have audience members leaving satisfied.

Anjalika Chalamgari
Thomas Jefferson High School for Sci/Tech
Submitted for publication to InsideNoVa-Sun Gazette

"Without our traditions, our lives would be as shaky as...as...as a fiddler on the roof!" Indeed, Osborne High School's masterful performance of the ever-popular Fiddler on the Roof upheld the integrity of the play so faithfully and vibrantly as to render even the Tsar stomping his feet along with the music.

Based on Sholem Aleichem's Tevye and his Daughters, the original Broadway production of Fiddler on the Roof opened in 1964, winning nine Tony awards, including Best Musical and Best Score. Its lasting cultural influence is evident in its numerous revivals and references in the popular media.

Fiddler centers around the poor Jewish milkman Tevye as he attempts to maintain his culture and uphold tradition in the Russian village of Anatevka. Tevye faces challenges from all sides as his three oldest daughters break from tradition by choosing to marry for love, each one's choices moving farther away from their father's values. Looming in the background is the Tsar's threat to evict the Jews from their village.

Jordan Drake truly captured the essence of Tevye, playing his part with a lively wit. His comedic timing was impeccable as he consistently stole the audience's attention whenever he entered the scene. Drake's ability to retain the classic Yiddish accent was awe-inspiring, and his raspy yet melodious voice elegantly embodied Tevye's rustic persona. His interaction with the other characters is also important to note, and the entertaining way he played against the talented Lazar Wolfe (Phillip Jones) and Avram (Leo Solis) in the upbeat song "To Life" induced guffaws from everyone. Tevye's wife, Golde, played by Sage McAndrew, proved a great addition to the cast as well. Her sharp tongue and dominating presence added enormous vitality to the production. Her sweet and highly technical voice in "Do You Love Me?" was of a professional caliber, beautifully manifesting the innocence of the popular song. Other memorable performances included the torn and melancholic Chava (Kylee Donovan), whose optimistic rendition of the classic "Matchmaker" presented a clear character arc. While it would have been nice to have all the actors use some sort of accent to more closely align with the setting of the play, each member of the cast played their part with an affable spirit and an animated energy.

The orchestra, conducted by Mr. Andrew Wassum, was a phenomenal addition. The execution of the complicated score aligned well with the actors' singing, the music emphasizing the tumultuous nature of the story. The violin soloist, Madeleine Gabalski, rendered the much-beloved "Tradition" deep and stirring, playing it expertly and with a professional deftness. The well-crafted light design (Stephen Harvey) and set (Michael Kunzer and Brian James) also helped to make the musical more poignant and realistic.

Truly, Osborne High School's Fiddler on the Roof is a memorable and energetic homage to its hugely successful Broadway counterpart. Each component of the show meshed together elegantly and vibrantly, embodying the dramatic yet comedic tale of Tevye and his final break from his beloved 'Tradition' faultlessly.
"A fiddler on the roof. Sounds crazy, no?" But OHS has managed to capture the quintessence of that sad fiddler's tale in a way that left the audience laughing and crying all at the same time.