Actor Chaim Topol received a warm welcome on opening night of ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood. Topol, who has played Tevye in more than 2,500 stage productions worldwide and starred in the 1971 movie, entered the stage to a round of applause. When he broke into his first song, ‘Tradition,’ the audience excitedly started singing and clapping along. At 73, Topol is on his farewell tour, and he’s as vibrant as ever. The show will be playing at the theater until Sunday, and it’s the last chance to see this legend perform locally. Living in the Russian village Anatevka in 1905, Tevye contends with his three daughters who want to marry for love rather than settle for an arranged marriage. The nearly three-hour musical is based on the stories of Sholem Aleichem and features music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick and a book by Joseph Stein. No other actor could play Tevye, the impoverished Jewish peasant who struggles between tradition and the changing ways of a new generation, with the same humor and sensitivity. First appearing in ‘Fiddler’ in London’s West End in 1967, Topol was nominated for an Oscar in 1972 for his performance in the movie and Broadway’s 1991 Tony Award as best actor in a musical. Topol effectively connects with the audience, making a point of over dramatizing wisecracks to solicit a reaction. When he sings, Topol fills the theater with his gravelly baritone voice as he shuffles his feet and swings his arms to the rhythms. The pit orchestra, led by David Andrews Rogers, provides the perfect accompaniment. Supporting cast members deliver notable performances. Tevye’s three daughters (Rena Strober, Jamie Davis, and Deborah Grausman) have pristine singing voices. Susan Cella skillfully plays Tevye’s stern yet loving wife, while Erik Liberman is humorous as the timid suitor. Tickets: www.broadwayLA.org or 1-800-982-ARTS (2787).
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