emmaria_1969's review against another edition
5.0
Fiddler on the Roof is a musical that I love but have yet to see a live stage performance. It was an original script when it first premiered on Broadway in 1964 and I do believe that it is a production that is very relevant to today’s current events, especially with the themes of tradition vs. progression and prejudice against religion and nationality.
Based on a series of stories by Sholom Aleichem, Fiddler on the Roof is set in a small Jewish village, Anatevka in Russia during the early 20th century. Tevye is a poor dairyman who lives in the town with his wife Golde and five daughters. Tevye faces many trials throughout the musical including persecution by Russian soldiers and his three older daughters defying the town’s tradition of arranged marriages. Each daughter challenges Tevye’s religious and cultural views while balancing his strong faith and family values until it is almost at a breaking point. The musical is mixed with drama, comedy, and history that there are a variety of theatrical elements that the reader/audience member can enjoy when reading or seeing the production performed live.
Fiddler is an easy read if the reader is patient with reading scripts, especially when music is involved as part of the production. But with the time period and its characters, I think the reader would really enjoy the script. The music would be highly recommended to give a listen when reading the play, obviously as a musical but it has a perfect blend of understanding the characters and getting the chance of hearing music inspired by the Jewish Russian culture. The ensemble of characters are also a lot of fun to read and/or see perform on stage. Tevye and Golde are two of my favorite characters in musical theatre history; both are quick-witted, stubborn and have great scenes together and apart. Tevye as the main protagonist and our guide throughout the story is also a very relatable character; as a father figure set in his ways, but is willing to accept certain changes, and holds his faith and family important to his everyday life. Even Tevye’s three eldest daughters are very well-rounded characters: girls becoming women in a time when it was unheard of for females to speak their minds or decide their future. The presentation of Judaism’s traditions in the 20th century is very respectfully and beautifully presented onto the stage. Along with reading the script, I would also insist one to watch the 1971 film adaptation of Fiddler on the Roof. In my mind, it is one of the musical film adaptations that is really faithful to the stage production plus a splendor to see on the screen. Whether you see the stage production or film, or read the script I highly recommend Fiddler on the Roof as a brilliant piece of musical theatre and a beautiful, honest representation of history.
Based on a series of stories by Sholom Aleichem, Fiddler on the Roof is set in a small Jewish village, Anatevka in Russia during the early 20th century. Tevye is a poor dairyman who lives in the town with his wife Golde and five daughters. Tevye faces many trials throughout the musical including persecution by Russian soldiers and his three older daughters defying the town’s tradition of arranged marriages. Each daughter challenges Tevye’s religious and cultural views while balancing his strong faith and family values until it is almost at a breaking point. The musical is mixed with drama, comedy, and history that there are a variety of theatrical elements that the reader/audience member can enjoy when reading or seeing the production performed live.
Fiddler is an easy read if the reader is patient with reading scripts, especially when music is involved as part of the production. But with the time period and its characters, I think the reader would really enjoy the script. The music would be highly recommended to give a listen when reading the play, obviously as a musical but it has a perfect blend of understanding the characters and getting the chance of hearing music inspired by the Jewish Russian culture. The ensemble of characters are also a lot of fun to read and/or see perform on stage. Tevye and Golde are two of my favorite characters in musical theatre history; both are quick-witted, stubborn and have great scenes together and apart. Tevye as the main protagonist and our guide throughout the story is also a very relatable character; as a father figure set in his ways, but is willing to accept certain changes, and holds his faith and family important to his everyday life. Even Tevye’s three eldest daughters are very well-rounded characters: girls becoming women in a time when it was unheard of for females to speak their minds or decide their future. The presentation of Judaism’s traditions in the 20th century is very respectfully and beautifully presented onto the stage. Along with reading the script, I would also insist one to watch the 1971 film adaptation of Fiddler on the Roof. In my mind, it is one of the musical film adaptations that is really faithful to the stage production plus a splendor to see on the screen. Whether you see the stage production or film, or read the script I highly recommend Fiddler on the Roof as a brilliant piece of musical theatre and a beautiful, honest representation of history.
mon_ique's review against another edition
3.0
As a piece of historical fiction, it was so insightful yet horrifying to think about the things going on in the background. The ruin of villages and homes, having to emigrate, forced to leave. The family dynamics were amusing yet sad, as the sisters make decisions, with their father's hopeful support, that put them on different paths for life. Do they ever meet again? I wish there was an update on what their lives end up in America, if the family ever completely reunites...
quoththegirl's review against another edition
4.0
I admit, I didn't look too closely at my copy and didn't realize it was actually the script, not the stories upon which the play was based, but I still loved it! I was surprised to see how precisely the movie follows the play; for some reason I remembered the play being quite different when I saw it as a teenager. Funny, sad, wonderful story of resilience.
pablollopez's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
birdmanseven's review against another edition
3.0
What a weird, dark topic for a musical. It works though.
For more on our favorite musicals tune in to this special episode of the All the Books Show: https://soundcloud.com/allthebooks/episode-152-light-up-broadway
For more on our favorite musicals tune in to this special episode of the All the Books Show: https://soundcloud.com/allthebooks/episode-152-light-up-broadway
lizzicrystal's review against another edition
5.0
This may be one of my favorite plays ever, because of the amazing movie!
aliterarylion's review against another edition
4.0
I am an avid fan of musical theater and I also love to troll the book section at literally any store that sells them. Dollar stores can have diamonds if you are willing to squat on the floor and paw through them like a cherubic dwarf. I found Fiddler on the Roof and a strange movie tie-in edition of Great Expectations at my local Dollar Tree. The bright yellow book usually costs fifteen dollars and the cashier was cute: double win! I was familiar with Fiddler on the Roof through only a few songs and I had no clue about the plot. After reading this, I can confirm that Tevye is a squishy father figure who joins the beloved ranks of Matthew Cuthbert, Angus Tuck, and Hans Hubermann. He has a blood relation to his offspring but he still tugged my heart. Plus, that "If I Were a Rich Man" arm dance is pretty slammin'.
It was a beautiful play that challenged tradition, gender roles, romance, and the patriarchal structure. Some of the bits were confusing like the dream sequences and some dialogue was pure Gouda to elicit laughter from the audience. I wish I lived in that village with an abundance of eligible bachelors vying for my hand, minus the crippling poverty of course. Maybe that bookstore owner has a brother, eh? I think it would be wonderful to see the musical one day and I can practice Tevye's shimmies discreetly to myself.
It was a beautiful play that challenged tradition, gender roles, romance, and the patriarchal structure. Some of the bits were confusing like the dream sequences and some dialogue was pure Gouda to elicit laughter from the audience. I wish I lived in that village with an abundance of eligible bachelors vying for my hand, minus the crippling poverty of course. Maybe that bookstore owner has a brother, eh? I think it would be wonderful to see the musical one day and I can practice Tevye's shimmies discreetly to myself.
emmapacket's review against another edition
4.0
I read thisfor class this year, but I was in my school's production of it! I love it!