THE HANGOVER REPORT – Third venue, same vibrant production: FIDDLER ON THE ROOF IN YIDDISH returns, newly relevant

A scene from The National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene’s production of “Fiddler on the Roof” at New World Stages (photo by Matthew Murphy).

This fall, The National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene’s vibrant production of Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish has returned once again for a limited time for its third discrete New York run, this time at Off-Broadway’s New World Stages (the acclaimed production was first performed in 2018 at the Museum of Jewish Heritage and subsequently enjoyed an encore run at Stage 42 a year later; you can read my full review of the initial run here). 

Featuring much of the same cast that has graced the revival from the very beginning — notably the superb Steven Skybell, an ideal Tevye — the current mounting at New World Stages is sharper and more confidently performed than ever. And as directed by the legendary Joel Grey (a Tony- and Oscar-winner, respectively, for both the stage and film versions of Kander and Ebb’s Cabaret), the production’s elegant simplicity and honesty once again moved me tremendously.

If you haven’t seen the revival yet, I’d recommend that you do so immediately. Now, more than ever, the work feels urgently relevant, especially given the troubles in the Ukraine that have been dominating headlines and the worrisome escalation of hate crimes towards the Jewish community and other minorities. And don’t be afraid that the musical is performed in Yiddish — the choice is inspired one, injecting the familiar musical with a refreshing shock of authenticty.

RECOMMENDED

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF IN YIDDISH
Off-Broadway, Musical
The National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene at New World Stages
3 hours (with one intermission)
Through January 1

Categories: Off-Broadway, Theater

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