Fiddler On The Roof (Broadway)

"Extraordinary Director Bartlett Sher in this unfinished masterpiece of a restoration to the New York stage yet again has put his stamp on one of the miracles of American musical theatre with clarity, love and courage. Never have the songs been better...I’ve seen five different productions of 'Fiddler' and there’s something spellbinding in each of them when everybody on stage cares. When they care, we care. Simple. Marvelous. But none has achieved the intensity of the highs in Bartlett Sher’s... Full Review

"Positively transcendent — a luminous new view on a timeless tale…No element of the production better represents the happy synthesis of old and new than Hofesh Shechter's vibrant choreography…Shechter and Sher offer this story of a traditional society at the precipice as something universal, without negating the play's indelible Jewish identity...Sher endows this beautiful and timely production with a sense of optimism and continuity." Full Review

"Bartlett Sher’s magnificent, life-affirming revival…Rich ambivalence runs through much of Sher’s elegant and deeply satisfying staging…This revival is splendidly acted…Revelatory direction, eloquent visuals and that sublime klezmer-inflected score —what more do you need? A great Tevye, and Burstein is nothing short of a miracle, finding the modern mensch in Tevye, as well as the hard-nosed, belief-bound peasant." Full Review

"Sher's staging mines every dramatic nuance and every ounce of character-based humor in Joseph Stein's indestructible book…The dancing is simply extraordinary…The revival owes much of its emotional heft to impeccable casting..The duality of humor and horror is essential to 'Fiddler,' and as in every other aspect, this superb production captures that balance with enormous soulfulness...The show also closes the Broadway year on a magnificent note." Full Review

"Danny Burstein's performance anchors a production that, like Sher's previous stagings of American classics reveals both the timelessness and the contemporary pertinence of the work. His 'Fiddler' is arguably even more revelatory…Sher does this with the support of a seamless cast and an intuitive, inventive design team...What this 'Fiddler' shows us most powerfully is the resilience of love. For all its specific insights, it delivers that simple and universal message, thrillingly." Full Review

"Now we have another game-changer in town...It applies to director Bartlett Sher’s exciting new vision for 'Fiddler on the Roof'...'Times are changing' and Sher has caused a change in 'Fiddler', too, making an already potent story far more involving...You’ll have to experience this 'Fiddler' yourself. Do discover the substantial number of thoughtful touches that Bartlett Sher has brought to a classic which in the process has created a classic of his own." Full Review

"The power of this classic moved me to tears. Danny Burstein’s performance as Tevye is instantly lovable, and alternates between hilarious and heartbreaking. The music is so strong; practically all of the numbers are classics. Despite clocking in at nearly three hours, the show feels trim and sparse — each song, each moment, feels necessary...Sher conjures up images of Syrian refugees and makes a connection between their plight and Tevye’s. It’s brilliant, artistic, and relevant." Full Review

"The dancing is simply sensational, the orchestrations the best ever and the cast certainly gives it a super effort to keep us memorized. If you have never seen it (and unless you’re under 6 you probably haven’t) it’s a must see for anyone looking for Broadway's best." Full Review

"A new production of that oft-revived classic, 'Fiddler on the Roof,' that is original, vibrant, and, at times, surprisingly disturbing...Everything in Sher's production feels freshly imagined; everyone involved seems determined to scrub away any excessive nostalgia...There is plenty here to entice the most ardent fan of 'Fiddler on the Roof'...But never before has the sense been so strongly articulated that time is running out on Tevye, Golde, their daughters, and their neighbors." Full Review

"An exemplary revival, especially focused on the solidly acted and deeply thoughtful performances...This time around there's more grounded focus on Tevye's emotional conflict….A wonderful, character-driven score...Sung and acted splendidly. 'Fiddler' is a great example of intelligent, literate musical theatre that invigorates the heart and entertains the spirit. But it has to be done right. Some details can be argued, but overall, Bartlett Sher has done it right." Full Review

"The superb new production certainly honors the show’s ebullience of spirit…But as directed by Bartlett Sher with his customary sensitivity, this multihued staging moves to a heart-stopping conclusion.…It’s just a musical, no? Yes, but what a musical. The score enters your bloodstream, indelibly, upon a single hearing...And Joseph Stein’s book miraculously blends borscht belt humor with a moving depiction of Tevye’s conflicted heart." Full Review

"As he did with 'The King and I', 'South Pacific' and 'Golden Boy' Bartlett Sher has brought his own vision to this production and yet remained true to the show's view of tradition as ongoing, changing and ever meaningful to people of all faiths…Despite more than a quarter century of Teyves, the role now seems written for Danny Burstein...He connects so fully and naturally with the audience that his comic reflections on life seem as much with them as with God." Full Review

"If the show has one flaw it is that the one hour and 40 minute first act seems long, but the shorter, fast-moving second act with its many events surely makes up for it. The ending is extremely moving and will have many theatergoers on the brink of tears...Bartlett Sher’s revival has the depth of a straight play and may be the best sung 'Fiddler' in recent memory. Danny Burstein, Jessica Hecht and cast make one fall in love with this musical all over again." Full Review

"With its wonderful music and lyrics the show is virtually indestructible…Bartlett Sher, who has so adeptly directed revivals of classic musicals at Lincoln Center, does not disappoint...Ultimately, the show’s success rests on its Tevye. Danny Burstein is superb, offering more humanity and less shtick than some of his predecessors…The show’s emotional highlights worked their usual magic on me. It’s good to have this stellar example of the golden age of American musicals back in town." Full Review

"Director Bart Sher and lead actor Danny Burstein deliver as movingly dramatic a 'Fiddler' as we’re ever likely to see…The performances are mixed. Jessica Hecht as Golde seems at first miscast and her accent out of place but her talent ultimately prevails…Sher’s emphasis on the dramatic core of the story is well served by Burstein whose warmly understated command of the iconic Tevye — mastering the comedy and tragedy — wins our hearts completely." Full Review

"With its brilliant book and its rousing and thrillingly integrated score, 'Fiddler' is the kind of work where familiarity breeds only more affection. Sher’s company validates that affection by imbuing the milieu with a crackling sense of life...Throughout the show, the large orchestra contributes immeasurably to the show’s vivacity and emotional strength…A show that for the most part excels in bringing a classic work to grand life, with tradition beautifully deep in its soul." Full Review

"This production brings a refreshing new vision to traditional Hasidic and Russian folk dances while also retaining the spirit of original choreographer Jerome Robbins. This brings a renewed adoration and appreciation of a work that has indeed become a tradition...Be prepared to be thrilled once again by a grand and emotionally moving 'Fiddler on the Roof.'" Full Review

"Sher has done himself — and audiences — a huge favor with his astute casting, particularly in the choice of Danny Burstein in the all-important role of Tevye…It’s a wryly, fully realized portrayal…Around this central pair orbit other excellent actors…'Fiddler' endures as a meticulously well-built musical… Sher’s production underlines the inherent strengths and adds to them, with some thrilling dances and a beautiful physical production." Full Review

"Staged with humor and humanity, this 'Fiddler on the Roof' redefines tradition…Burstein’s patriarch is infectiously charming, occasionally boyish, but with the gravitas needed…Burstein has plenty to work with, including a terrific sparring partner in Hecht and an ensemble of triple-threat character actors…The creative team assembled to help realize Sher’s vision is mostly successful." Full Review

"Vibrant and brilliant and heartfelt...The only odd note in this show is Golde, who is too shrill and one dimensional, and struggles with the vocal requirements. She never reveals her crusted-over warmth and her duet with Tevye is consequently underwhelming. But brilliant touches are everywhere elsewhere...It all adds up to a remarkable achievement. From the first moment to the profound last, this 'Fiddler on the Roof' is a triumph. The show is the star." Full Review

“Broadway musicals are so often disappointing because they don’t really believe in the value of their silliness. In other words, they hedge their bets...The joys of this show (and this particular revival) come in its ability to make the audience submit to childish but essential feelings, the kinds that inspire us to belt show tunes off-key and dance like idiots. Indeed, I soon found myself vigorously waggling my arms like Tevye immediately after the show. It felt exquisite.” Full Review

"The revival of 'Fiddler on the Roof' is wonderful — not because it offers a wildly different take on the popular musical, but by revealing the heart and soul of the story in such a fresh way...The production runs almost three hours, but it moves so smoothly, it seems much shorter." Full Review

"It charms, amuses, and stirs. Often in the same moment...The joys of the production become abundantly apparent...This 'Fiddler' looks extraordinary...It all combines to make this 'Fiddler on the Roof' one that, for today, seems as if it is somehow definitive." Full Review

"The Director stages the scenes with great sensitive and vitality...The book by Joseph Stein is still relevant for today’s audiences are still relevant...'Fiddler on the Roof,' one of the greatest musicals of all time and which has meaning to the widest span of theater goers is a must see." Full Review

"Bartlett Sher respects the material while enlivening it. The scenes are staged with acute sensitivity, while a full orchestra plays the timeless score…Less successful is the spare visual design, in which two-dimensional, floating pieces of scenery are pitted against a gray brick wall…Bottom line: except for the questionable design, this is a superb production of one of the greatest musicals of all time with an exceptional cast." Full Review