There is much to embrace and admire in the luminous and luscious “Fiddler on the Roof,” now in residency at Diamond Head Theatre.
Let’s start with Garrett Hols, as Tevye the dairyman-papa, and Mary Chesnut Hicks, as Golde his wife and the mama, perfectly cast as denizens of the European community of Anatevka, where families live, work, and worship together in natural harmony.
And oh, there’s literally a storybook fiddler on the roof here.
Based on tales of Sholem Aleichem, “Fiddler” features a book by Joseph Stein, with music by Jerry Bock and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick and was an award-winning entity produced by Harold Prince on the Broadway stage, and directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins. To work, the show requires vision and competence to bring the characters to life through dialogue, music and dance.
There are no Hols barred as Hols inhabits Tevye with determined trust, adventure and joy; his vocals and dances are expressive, from the opening spectacle “Tradition ” with the Villagers, to plot-moving classics like “If I Were a Rich Man,” “Sunrise, Sunset,” “To Life” and “Do You Love Me,” the latter with a comedic strain with mama Golde, and she charms every time she speaks and vocalizes.
The show is a journey boasting a chockful of hits delivered by secondary characters vital in connecting the dots in the storyline. Kyle Conner (Motel the tailor); R. Andrew Doan, (Lasar Wolf the butcher); Betty Bolton (Yente the matchmaker); plus the five marriageable daughters Marie Staples, (Tzeitei), Salote Vaha’i (Hodel), Chava (Anya Teruya), as Shprinyze (Kara Katayama/Hayden Lau), and Bieke (Leia Kandel/Kara Katayama); take a second curtain call.
The ensemble numbers are extraordinary, with vigor and unity. Co-directors Roberta Stephens Satori and David Weaver move mini-armies of villagers, and filli the stage with genuine spirit and life. L’Chaim!
The robust choreography – with the ritualistic bottle dance at the top of the list – projects the spirit of life; David Weaver recreated the original staging. Emily Stone’s costumes – gorgeous in assorted hues — add to the festive momentum and fill the eyes of this cultural treat.
But overall, the technical work is awesome. Deanne Kennedy’s set design taps segments of moveable sectors of a rustic home, displaying versatility of outdoor and indoor looks. Aiko Schick’s hair and makeup continues to bring sheen to the show, and Janine Myers’ lighting design takes adventures of the key set pieces and brings silhouettes to the party, a nice element. Jericho Sombrio’s sound design is top-notch, too.
Finally, dependable Jenny Shiroma’s nine-piece orchestra is back in the pit, with Richard Lee, in the role of The Fiddler, earning two big spotlight moments beginning with the opening scene fiddling on the roof, plus an Act 2 reprise.
So fiddle no more; seats are selling fast, but extension dates are available.
And that’s Show Biz…
‘Fiddler on the Roof’
What: A musical featuring book by Joseph Stein, music by Jerry Bock, and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, based on the stories by Sholem Aleichem.
Where: Diamond Head Theatre
When: 7 p.m. Thursdays, 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; extended playdates on Oct. 16 and 17.Tickets: $45 to $56, at 808-733-0274