Fiddler on the Roof (National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene)

See it if Just go

Don't see it if U dont love humor and great acting

See it if enjoyed the performance in Yiddish

Don't see it if May not have the patience to follow the Yiddish/ English translations,

See it if You love tradition but open to a unique theater experience. This is a new spin on a much beloved musical - who nu?

Don't see it if You have no capacity for new interpretation of a known show.

See it if I thoroughly enjoyed this production.. mainly because the writing and music are brilliant. The Yiddish script was certainly a plus factor

Don't see it if I speak Yiddish & greatly appreciated all efforts made, BUT the phoenetic Yiddish spoken by most of the cast, while admirable, was stilted

See it if you either understand Yiddish or love the story so much that you don’t mind reading the subtitles.

Don't see it if If you don’t like reading the subtitles

See it if you have appreciation for a well-crafted, innovative spin on a classic. This one TRULY has soul.

Don't see it if you prefer a jukebox musical. (Btw, the supertitles are projected, not backlit, so they are quite easy on the eyes.)

Also When I walked into the auditorium, I was slightly disappointed to see the bare stage which led me to assume that I was in for a concert version of this show. Little did I know that the stage was about to be filled to the brim with theatrical enchantment. I was thoroughly moved with laughter and tears by this stellar cast and creative personnel. I rarely feel inclined to participate in standing ovations (which are often indiscriminately doled out these days), but had no reservations about jumping to my feet for this curtain call. Exhilarating theater.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see Fiddler done beautifully. This story is so relevant to our world today. It's an absolute must-see for musical theater fans.

Don't see it if You have trouble reading subtitles.

See it if you adore lyrically and intellectually masterful musical theatre, even more emotionally fulfilling and resonant in Yiddish. I weeped.

Don't see it if you are tone deaf, dislike musicals, cannot sit 3 hours with one 15 min. interval, prefer huge or small theatres, or are pro-Tsar/antisemite

See it if you love fiddler, Great Music, & are interested in an uplifting, yet challenging story that looks at how traditions change, & people adapt.

Don't see it if you don't like family or music *which is catchy, or a great story

Also This version of Fiddler sucks you in with the Amazing Tateh and full cast!! The yiddish and scenery really connect you to the shtetl,and memories of Mommom and her stories of that life!!... Read more Read less

See it if you love Fiddler and want to see it in the language of its characters directed by Joel Grey. Amazing heartwarming production. It's perfect.

Don't see it if you've never heard of Fiddler and you don't want to see it in Yiddish.

Also So? How come I didn't give it 100 percent? I don't give anything 100 percent and this was the first performance. It is only going to get better. Also, if you have kids who know the show, take them to see this and consider it to be an introduction to opera.
Visit the Museum of the Jewish Heritage before the show!... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see Fiddler as it should be done, with actors who not only sing the role but become the role. A Fiddler with real heart and soul

Don't see it if you don't like subtitles or don't like Fiddler on the Roof.

Also Try to sit further back in the orchestra so you will have less trouble reading the titles and watching the stage. The English translation of the Yiddish lyrics differ greatly from the Broadway version and for the better I think. Some scenes were immensely moving like the Sabbath scene and very entertaining like the dream scene. Do not miss this version of Fiddler. It was well sung, acted and staged.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see a revival of a classic in the original Yiddish as written in the short stories.

Don't see it if You find it difficult to read subtitles or to sit through a long show.

See it if Wonderful Yiddish production of this show, accessible to anyone because there are subtitles. Great acting and singing.

Don't see it if No reason not to see this amazing production.

Also Steven Skybell was magnificent as Tevye, astounding voice and great acting.... Read more Read less

See it if You love the musical and want to see it produced very much at its roots.

Don't see it if You don’t want to read supertitles, and it would bother you that you don’t understand Yiddish so can’t follow the dialogue and lyrics.

Also Joel Grey directs this satisfying production that rings more deeply authentic than the show in English. Exuberantly performed across the board. Minimal staging suits the story and doesn’t take anything away from the hilarious dream sequence. If you love this show, you’ll love this production.... Read more Read less

See it if this show at its most authentic. Treat yourself. It is a delight. Dancing, singing, acting marvelous!

Don't see it if You mistakenly believe you have to understand Yiddish. You don't!

See it if you're interested in a Yiddish version of fiddler. Poignant, simply but effectively staged with good acting, singing and choreography.

Don't see it if You don't want to read titles for 3 hours. But there is really no reason not to see this wonderful production.

See it if You want to see a classic in a whole new way.

Don't see it if you hate reading supertitles. Or if you will be frustrated with changes in the original dialogue.

Also I don’t like Fiddler. Never have. I LOVED this production. Really made me appreciate the story in a way I never have before.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to be completely engaged in a wonderfully written story . Best 2:45 minutes ever !

Don't see it if You are not interested in pre revolutionary Russian family struggle .

See it if You enjoy an amazingly well put together production, with amazing actors, singing, dancing , orchestra. It's long, but refreshing indeed.

Don't see it if You can't keep up reading side screens above for closed captioning. You Can't stand long shows.. you don't want to be amazed. You miss out.

See it if You enjoy Jewish history & culture, a musical in a language other than English (with subtitles), pared-down revivals of classic shows

Don't see it if You find subtitles hard to follow, you want immersive or commercial theater

See it if you love the story with its great songs & dances. The acting and singing of both Tevye and Goldie bring tears & the comic chops of Jackie

Don't see it if you don't want to be moved by a jewel of a cast-acting, singing and dancing their hearts out-in an authentic revival directed by Joel Grey!!

Also Hoffman as Yente brings smiles and laughter. The smaller theatre makes the experience more intimate and the Yiddish speaking/singing is a mixed blessing---making it more authentic to hear the songs sung and the dialogue spoken in the mother tongue or "mamaloshen" but difficult if you are a non-Yiddish speaker and feel the need to read the subtitles. So just sit back, relax and let yourself enjoy!!!... Read more Read less

See it if you love Fiddler and are interested in seeing it performed in Yiddish. (And if you speak/understand Yiddish, it's a must see!)

Don't see it if you don't want to read supertitles for 3 hours. I probably wouldn't recommend it if you've never seen the show before (& only know English).

Also Great production. It was fascinating, and really cool hearing it in this 'authentic' feeling way. Some of the translations are not perfect of course and you lose quite a bit of Sheldon Harnick's masterful lyrics, but it's a neat new way to experience the show. Only a couple members of the cast are Yiddish speakers so it's an incredibly impressive feat in that respect! Beautifully done.

"Miracle of Miracles" made me cry.

I would recommend sitting at least a few rows back if possible. I was in the cheap seats (front row on the far right side) and had to crane my neck the whole time to read the supertitles. They were also often blocked by the staging from that angle, so it was challenging.... Read more Read less

See it if you have seen English productions, have an interest in translations, or just want to experience the show.

Don't see it if reading from a screen will be a problem for you or you are concerned with not understanding the language.

Also I have seen a few English productions of Fiddler on the Roof, and this was by far the most moving production that I have seen. It being at the Holocaust museum adds another layer of the history behind such a show. I don't mind seeing shows in languages that I do not myself speak, and found that even though I was seated pretty far to the side since they had two screens with English I was able to easily see one and still watch what was happening on stage.

I highly recommend this production, even if you are not familiar with the show. But if you are, this adds a realistic element to it.

The theatre seats just under 500 people and is comfortable chairs. It's down near Bowling Green, so plan some extra travel time--and there are metal detectors to get into the museum where the theatre is.
Early in previews the runtime was over three hours with intermission.... Read more Read less

See it if simplicity of staging plus excellent performances in Yiddish [with supertitles] lending it an operatic status + intensified storytelling

Don't see it if foreign language puts you off, Jackie Hoffman annoys you, forest of walkers obstructs entry, avoid travel to Battery Park City

See it if You love Fiddler and want to see it in a different way.

Don't see it if You don’t like the show, or you don’t want to see a show in Yiddish with supertitles.