Kate Rhea also contributed to this article.

The historic Riverview Theater was packed on Saturday night, as Shreveport Opera presented its first and only performance of Fiddler on the Roof, directed by Shreveport’s own Nate Wasson. A graduate of Centenary College of Louisiana, Wasson served as Assistant Director with Shreveport Opera’s production of H.M.S. Pinafore and has performed and directed with Shreveport Little Theatre and Marjorie Lions Playhouse. The Shreveport Symphony brought Fiddler’s famous score to life under the direction of conductor Braden Toan, whose previous performances include Miss Saigon and Man of La Mancha.

Photo by Fairfield Studios
Fiddler on the Roof, a beloved stage musical and staple among many theater companies, is based on the book musical of the same name, by Joseph Stein. The musical is derived from a late-19th century publication by Sholem Aleichem and tells the story of a family living in Imperialist Russia; a land rife with anti-Semitism as evidenced by the segregation that created annexed Jewish villages like the one in this tale.

Steven Condy as Tevye. Photo by Jack Charity.
Steven Condy heartily embodied the cherished main character of Tevye, a devoutly Jewish and impoverished milkman raising five daughters with the help of his quick-witted and equally devout wife Golde, played by Luretta Bybee. Tevye passionately struggles to protect his family’s way of life amidst the sweeping changes of society. The opening number, “Tradition” sets the tone for the drama. Mired in centuries-old Jewish traditions, Tevye becomes increasingly conflicted as his daughters, one by one, set to marry for love in the face of convention.

Tevye defends his piousness and adherence to austere Jewish customs because, as he famously declares, life in the village is, “as shaky as a fiddler on the roof.” One such custom, which is of importance to a man with five daughters, is to hire a matchmaker. The eccentric matchmaker Yente, portrayed by Rebekah Turner, dutifully matches Tevye’s eldest daughter Tzeitel, played by Emma Grimsley, with a wealthy widower, Lazar Wolf, played by John Bogan, but things go awry when Tzeitel has her heart set on a local tailor of meager means, Motel, portrayed by Kameron Lopreore. While Tzeitel’s choice is more traditional, her two sisters Hodel and Chava, played by Patricia Westley and Jessica Harika respectively, embrace uncommon paths, marrying not only for love, but also outside the hard lines drawn by their father’s devoutness.

Jennifer Carsillo as Fiddler. Photo by Jack Charity.
Tevye’s faith is truly tested and his spirit diminished when he feels he has no choice but to disown Chava whose husband is a Russian outsider Fyedka, portrayed by Luke Sexton. Cast member Camille Schmoutz admits to getting emotional each time she sees the scene in which Chava reveals her choice of husband to her father, remarking, “You can’t help but tear up at a daughter having to choose between her family and the one she loves.” It’s with that revelation that Tevye denounces his daughter Chava during a beautifully staged scene in which he sings about his ever-present conflict between adhering to tradition and accepting progress for the love of his dear daughter. “Little Bird” is a soaring love song from Tevye to Chava and served as an emotional high point of the performance.

Wasson was pleased with the performance stating “It was exceptional… just to feel the intensity of the audience feeding off the hard work and dedication of all involved made it all worth it.” This was evident in the show’s most memorable numbers such as “Matchmaker,” “Sunrise, Sunset,” and “If I Were a Rich Man.” Of his experience, Wasson also praised the cast for their dedication to the production, mentioning that they were also responsible for many of the set transitions, adding to the collaborative flow of his direction. Overall the production was a sweeping success that delighted the audience.

Despite the ubiquitous solemnity of the general theme, the levity with which the villagers’ plight is expressed helps put the audience at ease. A common thread of humanity can be found throughout the play as showcased in the bar scene and song “L’Chaim, To Life,” in which the Russians and Jewish villagers partake in a lighthearted dance off. The good times are cut short by the Tsar’s edict delivered by the Constable, played by John Goddard, which states that all of the Jewish families have three days to pack their belongings and evacuate the village they had called home for so long. The bitter conclusion in which the Jewish families are driven out of Anatevka echoes the emotionality of the current refugee crisis and other humanitarian issues worldwide. Fiddler allows those who experience its drama to reflect positively about what binds us together rather than what tears us apart. Our differences whether cultural, ethnic, or religious can never invalidate the truth; that we all strive for love and acceptance.

Based on Sholem Aleichem stories by special permission of Arnold Perl; book by Joseph Stein; music by Jerry Brock; lyrics by Sheldon Harnick; original New York Stage production directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins; produced on the New York Stage by Harnold Prince; directed by Nate Wasson; conducted by Braden Toan; scenery designed by Paul Sannerud and provided by Music Theatre Wichita; costumes designed by Glenn Avery Breed and provided by Wardrobe Witchery; original choreography reproduced by Nate Wasson; Mr. Robbins’ Original Direction reproduced by Nate Wasson; Fiddler on the Roof is presented through special arrangement with Music Threatre International.

Category Broadway, Musical

Runtime 2 hrs. and 45 min.

Credits Book by Joseph Stein; Music by Jerry Brock; Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick; Directed by Nate Wasson; Choreographed by Nate Wasson; Conducted by Braden Toan; Synopsis courtesy of Music Theatre International

Cast Steven Condy as Tevye, Luretta Bybee as Golde, Rebekah Turner as Yente, Emma Grimsley as Tzeitel, Patricia Westley as Hodel, Jessica Harika as Chava, Kameron Lopreore as Motel Kamzoil, Matthew Queen as Perchik, John Bogan as Lazar Wolf, Josephine K. “Jodie” Glorioso as Grandma Tzeitel, Betty Cummings as Fruma-Sarah.

Supporting Cast Jennifer Carsillo as Fiddler, Cara Derrick as Shaindel, John Goddard as Constable, Leslie Hobgood as Shprintze, Alex Koch as Nachum (Beggar), Bryan McDowell as Rabbi, Darrell Rhyne as Avram, Camille Schmoutz as Woman #1, Chris Schmoutz as Mendel, Luke Sexton as Fyedka, Rick Stovall as Yussel, Claire Watson as Woman #2, Jared Watson as Sasha, Ben Williamson as Mordcha, Tatum McKay Young as Beilke
Chorus with Chorus Master Neill Campbell, Janice Aiken, Kathryn Askew, John Bogan, Nancy Campbell, Soren Cate, Betty Cummings, Cara Derrick, Leslye Gilchrist, Jackson Gilchrist, John Goddard, Howard Goode, Leslie Hobgood, Alex Koch, Bryan McDowell, Jerry McLarty, Marcia Moffatt, Michelle Moline, LeeAnn Monat, Holland Marrs, Darrell Rhyne, Camille Schmoutz, Chris Schmoutz, Cody Snider, Rick Stovall, Kelly Vaden, Jack Walker, Claire Watson, Amy Weathersby, Robert Wright
Russian Dancers and Bottle Dancers Cameron Cason, Thomas Hadzeriga, Lucas Mainiero, Dwight Robinette, Luke Sexton, Jared Watson

Production Staff Stage Director and Choreographer Nate Wasson; Maestro/Conductor Braden Toan; Stage Manager Katie Lowenhagen; Assistant Stage Manager Lucy Coarsey; Dance Captain Jared Watson; Lighting Designer Courtney Gaston; Assistant Lighting Designer Austin Jennings; Technical Director Robert New; Chorus Master/Rehearsal Pianist Neill Campbell; Wig & Makeup Design Nottingham Design; Wig & Makeup Designer Sondra Nottingham; Wig & Makeup Assistants Tiffany White; Scenery Designed by Paul Sannerud; Scenic Design Provided by Music Theatre Wichita; Costumes Designed by Glenn Avery Breed; Costumes Provided by Wardrobe Witchery; Costumer Eura Coleman; Stage Labor IATSE Local 298; Business Agent Debbie Graham; Production Photographer Clint McCommon; Season Campaign Photographer Neil Johnson; Graphic Design Lory Tubbs; Video & Sound Engineer Fairfield Studios; Sur-title Operator Neill Campbell

Administrative Staff Artistic Director Steven Aiken; Executive Director Amanda J. Gouthiere; Director of Development & Patron Services Cathey Sholar

Opened March 4, 2017

Closed March 4, 2017