`Fiddler' doesn't raise the roof

Like the perilously perched character in its title, any production of the musical "Fiddler on the Roof" faces a tricky balancing act between historical/cultural accuracy and Broadway-style pizazz.

[Gayle Hatton]

As a season ticket holder of the Redondo Beach Civic Light Opera, it was with shock that I read Jim Farber's poor review of Fiddler on the Roof. This shock was further compounded after seeing the play, and reading the LA Times rave review. Was he at the same play that we all attended? After years of less than kindly and biased reviews that are out of sync with other professionals I can only believe that Jim Farber has a personal vendetta with either the RBCLOC or producer James Blackman. Since "beauty is in the eye of the beholder", I found that the play was captivating and the 3 hours slipped by with excellent music, dance, and acting. I certainly got my kopeks worth.

[chelicera]

I saw this last night. It was great! This guy says it looks cheap. Compared to what? Donald Trump's condo? The sets were fantastic and the staging was surprising, lovely, frightening, funny -- it added so much to the experience. Perhaps the reviewer's been sitting in the dark too long and can't see good from bad. The singing was really good, not perfect, but being a person very attuned to voices, I found nothing to be annoyed by, certainly. Golde was plenty shrewish; Yenta is SUPPOSED to be annoying, you dolt. Take away this guy's computer. Reviewers are supposed to give people honest, informed opinions of performances so we can decide where to spend our money. People with some sort of ax to grind, which this guy apparently has for what reason I know not, shouldn't be in print in a major regional publication. Keep a blog at home. That's where you belong.

[Carlin Papp]

This reviewer must have been watching with his eyes shut and his earplugs in. This production did not deserve this review. Other reviewers, had nothing but good to say about "Fiddler."
I was present last night with several other people.

The production started out with a bang. The orchestra performed the score brilliantly and with passion. The actors and chorus were nothing, if not inspired. The production ran true to the story and I found nothing to criticize. I hope that those reading the review ignored it and decided to attend the performance in spite of it. I think you did the community a disservice by publishing such tripe.

[John Probst]

I was very content to hear James Blackman "rip" Mr. Farber for his seemingly off-target bias prior to tonight's performance. I suggest Mr. Farber continue his plight of discrediting this company's performances...it makes for great very funny fodder for James to rant about before the show! Bravo CLOSBC - this "Fiddler" was superb!

[BoSOX FAN]

Farber's review? Aroysgevorfen verter from ze farbisener reviewer! feh!

[Malin Dollinger]

Welcome to earth, Mr. Farber, specifically to Jewtopia, the splendid production of Fidder now running at CLOSBC. It seems your home in outer space has not experienced this Fiddler show, and you were not prepared for it. I saw the NY production, and many others, and this is second to none. Most of us did not have dry eyes, but it seems your focus was dry wit, rather than realistic reviewing. Fortunately we were able to intercept our friends before they discarded their tickets, based on your review.

[John Johnson]

We saw it last night and loved it. I don't think Mr. Farber saw the same production we did.

[WDW]

Mr. Farber,

I feel for you, I really do. Not only for the flack you are receiving based on your nearly perfect review, but for having sat thru the entire production of CLOSB's Fiddler on the Roof. I left at intermission (it was 10pm at that point!). The ridiculously long winded speech of Mr. Blackman, made me want to leave before the show had even begun. I did not pay $50 to go to the theater to hear bad jokes, play the pity card of a bad review, and endlessly stroke his own, and the theater's ego. I have never been to CLOSB before, and will not return. For the most part, the acting was not good, and the dialects were a mess, and the voices flat. I don't know how they got such a glowing review in the Times. Thank you for your honesty. I only wish I would have read the review before attending last night's show, as I would have canceled my tickets. Oh well, live and learn. Best of luck to you. Don't let the _____ get you down.

[Jimmy Harrison]

Mr Farber - What are you - a shill for another theatre? I am a long time season ticket holder and let me assure you that it isn't loyalty that brings me here. I also subscribe to 4 other theatre organizations including the Pantages. I know good theatre when I see it. And, you, obviously, were either off your meds when you reviewed the show or you needed to be on drugs because you obviously walked into the wrong theatre. Maybe you should check your GPS next time because you apparently walked into a kindergarden version of the show playing behind the local Seven-11.

I echo the comments of everyone else who has had their say on this issue. This was an outstanding show, a great show, and my hat is off to the producers and directors for yet another fine achievement.

Maybe you expect perfection. Maybe the audience should be treated to 20 takes sof each scene in the hopes that one will meet your standard of acceptability. Well, sir, that is what you call "movies." The beauty of live theatre is the audience gets to enjoy the triumphs of a great show along with the mistakes, the missed lines and the fumbles. It's all part of the enjoyment.

Let me suggest to you that next time you go an review a show you get a good night's sleep, don't bring along your typical prejudices, and act like a decent human being when spewing your opinions to so many people.

[Anne Feldman]

WDW wrote:

Mr. Farber,
I feel for you, I really do. Not only for the flack you are receiving based on your nearly perfect review, but for having sat thru the entire production of CLOSB's Fiddler on the Roof. I left at intermission (it was 10pm at that point!). The ridiculously long winded speech of Mr. Blackman, made me want to leave before the show had even begun. I did not pay $50 to go to the theater to hear bad jokes, play the pity card of a bad review, and endlessly stroke his own, and the theater's ego. I have never been to CLOSB before, and will not return. For the most part, the acting was not good, and the dialects were a mess, and the voices flat. I don't know how they got such a glowing review in the Times. Thank you for your honesty. I only wish I would have read the review before attending last night's show, as I would have canceled my tickets. Oh well, live and learn. Best of luck to you. Don't let the _____ get you down.

Dear WDW - Next time SKIP the theatre. With an attitude your yours I(leaving at intermission - surrrrrrrrrre!) it's best not to waste a seat on a 6 year old who is going to whine and cry. As for James Blackman, he's a treasure. Sure he's not everyone's cup of tea, but he's a promoter and he believes the personal contact with the audience brings people back. Unlike you, who would probably not appreciate anything short of a 20 minute version of a Broadway musical so that you can get home to more important things such as chatting on conservative chat sites.