Review: 'Fiddler' still tugs heartstrings

"FIDDLER ON THE ROOF"
***½
Where: Sierra Repertory Theatre, 13891 Mono Way, Sonora
When: Through April 5; 2 p.m. Wednesdays, 7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays Running time: 2 hours, 45 minutes, including an intermission
Tickets: $18-$28
Information: 532-3120 or www.sierrarep.org

SONORA -- "Fiddler on the Roof" never seems to go out of style, but it feels especially relevant today.

The Tony Award-winning 1964 musical centers on a community trying to hold itself together as the world around it goes from bad to worse. As I watched the characters face one disturbing event after another, all I could think about was today's financial crisis and people facing layoffs and home foreclosures.

The moving musical emphasizes the resilience of the human spirit and shows how people can survive almost anything with family, friends, faith and a dash of humor.

Director Scott Viets' passionate production at Sierra Repertory Theatre spans all the emotions from joy to despair. Featuring a starkly beautiful set with barren trees and wooden skeleton buildings all designed by Noble Dinse, the show matches the company's usual standards of quality.

The only minor drawback is the recorded accompaniment, which sometimes is too loud and shrill.

With a big physique and mischievous personality, Jimmy Ferraro (pictured above) is perfectly cast as Tevye, the poor Jewish dairyman who struggles to support a wife and five daughters in 1905 Russia.

He gets laughs as he argues with God, misquotes the "Good Book" and examines every side of a choice incessantly. He is so likable that it's all the more sad when he gets increasingly battered by life. Ferraro knows the show well, having appeared in the ensemble of "Fiddler" on Broadway in 1981 and in two national tours in the '70s and '80s.

Becky Saunders is no-nonsense and practical as his feisty wife, Golde. She and Ferraro harmonize well in the touching "Sunrise, Sunset," about how fast people age and children grow up.

Marisa Abbott shines vocally as sharp-tongued daughter Hodel, and Nicole Ligerman projects courage as oldest daughter Tzeitel. Ali Axelrad displays deep pain as daughter Chava in her big showdown with Tevye -- the musical's most wrenching moment.

Morgan Murry and Turlock talent Leah Bateman are sprightly as the youngest daughters. Bateman's brother Aleq also puts in a strong showing as the title character and as a dancer.

Joshua Paul Moore is appropriately nervous as Tzeitel's suitor, Motel, and displays ecstasy in his big solo, "Miracle of Miracles." Handsome, smooth-

tongued Jonathon Scott Roth looks like a catch as Hodel's suitor, Perchik. Steven Stone performs awe-inspiring split leafs and backflips as Chava's suitor, Fyedka.

Julia Goretsky is a loudmouthed delight as village busybody and matchmaker Yenta, while Ty Smith is humorously out of touch as butcher Lazar Wolf.

As anyone who has watched his work knows, Viets choreographs impressive big dance scenes, and this show is no different. Some of the more notable work include the ghost scene, with a spirit on stilts and moving gravestones, and the wedding scene, with men dancing while balancing wine bottles on their hats. There also are some exciting flips and leaps in the bar song "To Life."

A piece of advice -- bring tissues if you go to the show, because you'll be crying more than once at the touching moments. I've seen this show four times in the past six years and know exactly what's coming, yet still I can't help crying for these very lovable characters.

Bee arts writer Lisa Millegan can be reached at 578-2313 or lmillegan@modbee.com.