If I was a fiddler…
By Daily Bruin Staff
Jan. 15, 2002 9:00 p.m.
 Wilshire Theater Theodore Bikel and
Company perform "Fiddler on the Roof" at the Wilshire Theater.
By Siddarth Puri
Daily Bruin Contributor
As their world came tumbling down and they were forced to move
from their peaceful homes in the villages into the crowded sectors
of the city, the Jewish community in Russia was cruelly treated by
the Tsar.
“Fiddler on the Roof,” based on Sholom
Aleichem’s short story, “Tevye’s
Daughters,” captures the essence of the Jewish struggle in
the midst of a hostile and chaotic environment.
Set in 1905 in Anatevka, a small Ukrainian Jewish village in
Russia, the play recounts the story of Tevye, a milkman, and his
attempts to preserve his family’s traditions in the face of a
changing world.
Directed by Sammy Dallas Bayes, the play is built around
universal themes that extend beyond the boundaries of age,
ethnicity and cultural background. Bayes has already had a run in
the entertainment industry, including an Emmy Award for his
“Reading Rainbow” segments and a Tony Award for Best
Revival (“Fiddler On The Roof”).
“The play has a general appeal of the universal struggle
of being an outsider or a minority,” said Jonathan Hadley,
who plays Perchik, a young revolutionary, in the play. “It
also deals with the question of how we live with a commitment to
our own beliefs in a changing society.”
Hadley was first introduced to the play in high school, where he
played Tevye. In this new role, he has found important themes and
ideas for the play.
 Wilshire Theater –>”My character, Perchik, is
the one who brings new ideas and a new society into the
community,” he said. “Perchik is a student who is
adamant on change and struggles to deal with the old
traditions.”
Theodore Bikel, who plays the lead Tevye, has performed this
role over 1,600 times in his career, making his presence on stage
both memorable and historical. Bikel, no stranger to the theatrical
world, originated the role of Captain von Trapp in the first
Broadway production of “The Sound of Music,” in
addition to numerous other plays, including “My Fair
Lady,” “The Lark” and “Jacques Brel Is
Alive And Well.” His theater savvy has garnered him an Emmy
Award and an Academy Award nomination.
“Being on stage with Theodore Bikel has been a great
learning experience as an actor,” Hadley said. “His
presence on stage is so noticeable and working with him has brought
a real joy to being a part of the play.”
The Tony-Award winning score is woven with classic tunes, such
as “If I Were a Rich Man,” “Tradition,”
“Matchmaker, Matchmaker,” “Do You Love Me”
and “Sunrise Sunset.” Along with the musical score, the
play features a re-creation of Jerome Robbins’ original 1965
choreography.
Simplicity marks the choreography. During some songs the actors
stand singing on the bare stage, in a minimalist form of
choreography that suits the atmosphere of the musical.
The play captures the audience with its multi-faceted themes on
the evils of prejudice and the importance of maintaining a warm,
communicative family in the midst of severe oppression and doom. It
plays on the struggles of a minority community to overcome the
trials of oppression.
 Wilshire Theater Theodore Bikel
“The play opens your eyes,” said Patrick McDonald, a
second-year psychology and Italian student. “It articulates
the suppression of a people so perfectly that you’re able to
feel what they’re going through as well as learn from it at
the same time.”
In light of the Sept. 11 tragedy, the play has become easier to
relate to as well as more potent in its message.
Throughout the play’s entirety, the Jewish people are
treated poorly because of their heritage. In today’s society,
many ethnic groups, such as Arab Americans, have faced different
treatment as well as hate crimes due to the attacks. The play
demonstrates how people have learned to deal with keeping their
heritage alive during times of oppression and hatred.
“People have been clamoring for the play,” Hadley
said. “They seem to have an unspoken feeling of connection
with its meaning and themes. Many people have said they are touched
by the play even more now, but can’t say why; they just seem
to take to heart the play’s message.”
THEATER: “Fiddler On The Roof” is
playing at the Wilshire Theater
until January 27th. Shows are Tuesday through Friday at 8 p.m.,
Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Tickets range from $47 – $67. For more information call (213)
365-3500.
