Join the Tucson Convention Center on Tuesday for a trip back to simpler times full of tradition, love and Judaism in “”Fiddler on the Roof”” starring Theodore Bikel.
The show — with such hits as “”If I Were A Rich Man,”” “”Matchmaker, Matchmaker,”” and “”Miracle of Miracles,””— comes to Tucson after having the lead character Tevye replaced twice. Chaim Topol, who played Tevye in the movie, had to leave due to shoulder injuries and was replaced by Harvey Fierstein, who had to leave due to prior commitments.
It’s not to say that Theodore Bikel doesn’t deserve the lead role — he’s played the role of Tevye more than 2,000 times. Bikel is an Academy Award- and Tony-nominated actor and a well-known folk singer.
The musical takes the audience on a journey to Tsarist Russia in 1905. Tevye, his wife and their five daughters are living in precarious times, and the one thing that holds them together is tradition. Then comes the matchmaking of Tevye’s daughters, yet one by one they fall in love on their own, breaking the tradition. The journey for Tevye and his family, as well as the other residents of Anatevka, is difficult and rough. Tevye must
decide between following tradition or following his heart.
The musical premiered in 1964 when the United States was changing and traditions were being challenged. Audiences then and now relate to the play due to the problems — such as youthful dissent, revolutionary doctrine and the oppression of minorities — the show portrays. Despite the struggles of Tevye and others in 1905, they emerged triumphantly giving hope to those amidst an unstable society.
Colby Foytik plays Perchik, a revolutionary in love with Tevye’s second daughter, Hodel. He’s been with the tour since it started just over a year ago.
Foytik’s favorite part of the show is the bottle dance in the wedding scene at the end of the first act.
“”It’s pretty impressive to watch the bottle dance every night — four of our male dancers with bottles balanced on their heads. It’s not rigged in any way, so it’s pretty amazing to watch. And literally, in that scene I’m standing there just watching it, but to see it happen every night is pretty incredible,”” Foytik said.
The story focuses on family, love and overcoming struggles. It’s something that can remain true despite the changing times.
“”(The show is) one of the most incredible pieces of musical theatre ever written. I mean, it’s such a classic. It’s a beautiful story with beautiful music and a wonderful cast,”” Foytik said.
