This spring, the critically-acclaimed Broadway revival of Fiddler On the Roof sets out on a much-anticipated tour! This wonderful Tony Award-winning musical about family, love, and acceptance will travel across North America and stop in New Orleans! From February 28 to March 5, 2023, Fiddler On The Roof will take over the Saenger Theatre in New Orleans. The production is set to hold eight incredible performances of the Broadway classic, which first premiered in New York. Just like the original, the revival will feature the highly-regarded songs by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick. Whether or not you’ve seen the original Fiddler On The Roof, this musical revival is a must-see for Broadway show lovers! So hurry and grab your tickets now to experience the timeless story of Fiddler On The Roof at the Saenger Theatre in New Orleans!
Fiddler On The Roof opened on Broadway in 1964. The musical became a landmark show of what was known as the Golden Age of American Musicals. The original production featured an incredible award-winning creative team composed of Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick (music and lyrics), Joseph Stein (book), and Jerome Robbins (director).
The musical is based on a series of short stories by Sholem Aleichem. At the turn of the century Russia. The country is on the brink of a revolution, and in the small town of Anatevka, there lives a humble Jewish family led by hard-working milkman Tevye. Tevye has five grown daughters, and he worries about their future. Tevye decides to consult with Yente, a matchmaker, to find husbands for all his daughters. His oldest daughter Tzeitel is matched with a formidable butcher. However, she was already in love with a poor tailor. Meanwhile, the second daughter’s match also doesn’t go as well as planned. Tevye is now faced with a dilemma. Should he insist on his daughters marrying their matches? Or will he let them follow their hearts and accept the men they chose? All the while, another turmoil approaches his family when the town czar kicks out the Jewish community from Anatevka.
Fiddler On The Roof has won numerous awards, including nine Tony Awards for its original Broadway production. In 1965, one year after it opened in New York, the musical won big at the Tonys, taking home the awards for Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, and Beat Choreography. In 1972, the show also received the Tony Award for Longest Running Musical. Decades later, the 1991 revival added another Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical. The modern revival, led by director Bartlett Sher, is a worthy successor of the original, thanks to the outstanding creative team and a stellar cast.
Furthermore, the 2016 production secured the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Director of a Musical. The London production took home the Best Revival Award at the Laurence Olivier Awards three years later. This year, the production consists of director Bartlett Sher, choreographer Hofesh Shechter, scenic designer Michael Yeargan, and more.
Much like its original production, the latest revival is a hit among professional critics. Christopher Kelly from NJ.com has many good words for the latest production. “Miracle of miracles, indeed: Just when you think you know a classic musical backwards and forwards, along comes director Bartlett Sher to prove otherwise.”
Meanwhile, NBC New York writer Robert Kahn is pleased with how the latest production pays homage to the original. “This new “Fiddler,” gorgeous and affecting, is a respectful staging of the Jerry Bock-Sheldon Harnick classic, with modernities here and there to keep us on our toes.” Moreover, the musical, which features many hit songs, also resonated well with Entertainment Weekly’s Jessica Derschowitz. She loved the mellow songs the most, “There are moments of great levity in this production – songs about matchmakers and raising your glass for a toast, among all the classics the show is known for – but its quieter moments were even greater standouts.”
Fiddler On The Roof makes Saenger Theatre its home from Tuesday, February 28 to Sunday, March 5, 2023. Guests will get to experience this award-winning cultural treasure in Saenger Theatre’s state-of-the-art facilities and top-tier audio and light technology. Since 1927, the historic venue has entertained the arts and music lovers of New Orleans. The venue has also undergone millions of dollars in renovation and refurbishment, ensuring guests have the best experience! If you want to see Fiddler On The Roof’s latest revival, come and see the award-winning musical at the Saenger Theatre!
“Miracle of miracles, indeed: Just when you think you know a classic musical backwards and forwards, along comes director Bartlett Sher to prove otherwise.” – NJ.com.
“By the finale, the production settles into the routine of rejection – of a daughter who weds outside the faith, of an entire community cast out for that very faith. And audiences will feel the customary tug of sentiment, caught up in the sweep of this family, this village, and this culture. As Tevye might ask, Do you love me? How can anyone resist?” – The Wrap.
“There are moments of great levity in this production – songs about matchmakers and raising your glass for a toast, among all the classics the show is known for – but its quieter moments were even greater standouts” – Entertainment Weekly.
“A great Tevye and Burstein is nothing short of a miracle, finding the modern mensch in Tevye and the hard-nosed, belief-bound peasant. Rather than bluster or roar his way through the role, Burstein has a delicate, almost motherly touch, kibbitzing with God for laughs and tearing out our hearts by the end. No other actor could juggle the comedy and tragedy masks with such style, such a bittersweet dance with tradition.” – Time Out New York.