Savannah Theatre's 'Fiddler on the Roof' reflects the poignancy of world events even today
The role of Tevye in "Fiddler on the Roof" has long been on F. Michael Zaller's bucket list. And now, he can check that box.
It took years to finally secure the rights to perform the beloved musical at the Historic Savannah Theatre, which debuted on Broadway nearly 60 years ago and gave us such gems as "Sunrise Sunset" and "Matchmaker Matchmaker," but Zaller persevered. "Fiddler" was the first musical to surpass 3,000 performances, and it won nine Tony awards, spun off five revivals and a 1971 film adaption. Its message of joy and heartbreak endures decades later.
"It's wonderful to actually get it on its feet," said Zaller, who explained that the cast of 28 players is the most of any show on the theater's stage.
At its core, "Fiddler on the Roof" is a story about a family and the repercussions of a daughter choosing a path different than the one her father would have chosen for her.
Zaller finds taking on the this role of a father bound by tradition particularly poignant in this day and time. As a father, he gets the struggle Tevye feels talking often with God about his hopes and dreams for his daughters. "Like any parent," Zaller said, "my children are the greatest joy and greatest heartache in my life."
Live theater 'plays a role of being a mirror'
As both producer and actor, Zaller wondered if an older show would sell tickets, but the story underpinning "Fiddler" resonates on other levels as well. Although the musical is set 120 years ago in Imperial Russia, it reflects some of the challenges continuing to ripple through the world today. Tevye and his family live in a restricted Jewish area of what is now Ukraine. Facing economic hardship and prejudice, they eventually learn they have three days to pack up and leave the only home they've ever known.
Zaller relayed that during nearly sold-out crowds over opening weekend, some attendees were in tears. "Such is the catharsis of live performance," said Zaller, who described story and theater as a "mirror" for society. "Sometimes it takes that experience [of sitting in a darkened theater] for people to have that realization. Our role as actors is to perform as honestly as possible."
He recounted a particular moment in one of the first performances where he paused and he could feel the 450-plus audience holding their collective breath and then getting a big laugh.
"It's why I've always enjoyed live theater," said Zaller. "Getting the vibe, the energy from the audience, even though every one is different."
"Fiddler on the Roof" runs through Nov. 19. Tickets begin at $46 and are available at savannahtheatre.com/shows/fiddler-on-the-roof-2/.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Savannah Theatre's 'Fiddler on the Roof' runs through Nov. 19
