Fiddler in Yiddish?- Page 2

[dramamama611]

Posted: 2/15/19 at 6:53pm

If you're responding to my post, I said I thought touring houses are too big for it. Not that it was too big to tour.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 2/15/19 at 8:26pm

My recollection of the theater in the Jewish Heritage Museum is that it was quite spacious. I'd consider it a mid-sized house. I loved the show and relished the leg room!

[uncageg]

Posted: 2/16/19 at 12:29am

I was. Thank you for the clarification.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 2/16/19 at 3:20am

^

Dollypop - The Yiddish theater is a great size for off Bway. (guessing 500 seats?) Most touring houses are MUCH larger.

[uncageg]

Posted: 2/16/19 at 9:34am

dramamama611, that theater is 375 seats. I was told it is 399 but looked it up.

Updated On: 2/16/19 at 09:34 AM

[SJAfan]

Posted: 2/16/19 at 9:46am

Where was your seat from the rush? Worth it?

[RWPrincess]

Posted: 2/16/19 at 9:48am

I saw this last night via the TodayTix $30 rush ticket that I bought at 2pm. The lady next to me bought hers at 4pm. The TodayTix rep at the theater must have had about 30 envelopes in her hand. My seat was B9 far end house left. The good thing about this theater is the stage spans the length of the theater so there really isn’t a bad seat though I could see sitting further back being an issue with the subtitles. My only obstruction was the speaker partially obstructing the subtitles but I ended up looking at the subtitles on the opposite side of the stage so I could see the actors too. The entire front row ended up being a coat rack so it was a great view overall.

Sadly the theater was not full at all. Not sure if this is lack of marketing or because it was Friday night(Shabbat). I’m going to say about 70% full, mostly a 40+ crowd. One of the ushers told the guy in front of me they had 200 unsold seats and he could move to sit closer to his friends. It didn’t look like 200 empty seats to me. I’d say at least 100 were empty though.

The show itself was beautiful. I’m in awe of the cast performing this in Yiddish as it doesn’t seem to be a primary language for most of them. I don’t have a lot to add that hasn’t already been said here but I did find the costumes interesting. It seemed like the cast was given free reign to get their own costumes. Even though they looked cohesive, they definitely were not consistent. Several of the men were in jeans and sneakers. The fiddler was wearing a short skirt with leggings. The footwear seemed to run the gamut from time period appropriate to very 2018. Again not an issue for show enjoyment but just something I noticed.

The merch booth was empty every time I walked by. I thought they had a pretty robust selection for an Off Broadway show. I ended up getting a magnet.

I liked this theater overall. Good location and very comfortable seating. I hope the show is successful in this new space.

[brdwybuff]

Posted: 2/19/19 at 4:26pm

Miles2Go2 said: "Wow. Just. Wow. Beautiful. Powerful. Thrilling. Hard to believe it was their first preview. It was just about perfection. Of course they had the advantage of the previous run but still…


I wasn’t quite sure what to expect tonight. Had high hopes, but was also nervous because I was disappointed in last two revivals I saw (MFL, OOTI) this summer. This totally restored my faith in revivals. I also had seen a touring version around 10 years ago and appreciated it, but didn’t really emotionally connect with it. I connected tonight. Maybe no full-on sobs (although I heard the lady behind me totally lose it), but I honestly understand things about the story I don’t recall understanding last time.

It’s interesting. By presenting the show in Yiddish (and some Russian), it forces you to pay more attention to the language and thus catch more nuance.

Things I loved:

Just give Steven Skybell every award he is eligible for. He is perfection as Tevye.

I loved the creative use of minimal staging.

Loved the choreography. I also loved the scene with Leyzer-Volf’sdead wifeVery creative.

This is my first time seeing a first preview. I’m doing If again on Thursday with Kiss Me, Kate. KMK has a lot to live up to after this.

Side notes:

They already have merchandise: wine glass, bibs, shirts, ball cap with Oy Vey on it, magnets, window cards, compact and tote bags. Prices range from $10 to $30. I bought the wine glass (Kvetch and Wine on one side, Fiddler on the Roof on other), magnet and window card. I had hoped to get the window card signed at stage door but they were having a small party for the cast after the show and they said that the cast would eventually come out probably but I was cold and very tired. May try to see about dropping it off if they’ll sign it.

Also, I was able to move from AA-4Right Orchestra to AA-103 Center Orchestra today by calling Ticketmaster (even exchange). Stage is low so even though I’m tall, I don’t think shorter people would miss anything being that close.

Act 1 does feel long but that’s probably because I’m used to more modern musicals with shorter running times.


Okay, long day and I actually have to work tomorrow. So signing off."

So happy to hear the positive reviews! I’m seeing it tonight. Very excited now!

[brdwybuff]

Posted: 2/19/19 at 4:27pm

I’m loving these positive reviews! Can’t wait for tonight!

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 2/19/19 at 4:33pm

brdwybuff said: "I’m loving these positive reviews! Can’t waitfor tonight!"

So excited for you! 

[brdwybuff]

Posted: 2/19/19 at 5:12pm

Thanks miles2go2. You’re reviews are always helpful. I’m seeing The Prom, Cher Show tomorrow, and Kiss Me Kate Thurs. Really looking forward to seeing Kelli!

[EthelMae]

Posted: 2/19/19 at 9:29pm

OK. Time to vent. I got a beautiful flyer in the mail today for this production of Fiddler on the Roof at Stage 42. They have discount codes. The discount price is $109 top. $109 top! For an Off-Broadway show at Stage 42. That’s the discount. I find this very sad. I don’t blame the Producers of the show. I blame it on real estate? Not sure. But if Off-Broadway discount tops for tickets are $109, you are going to see fewer shows produced Off-Broadway. Now I know all the info about how producers can’t break even Off-Broadway so I get the pricey tickets- but full price for this show must be like $169?? That’s practically Broadway top. Off-Broadway was born so people could go to the theater for fewer dollars. That ain’t happening here.

Maybe this show will hit TDF. I haven’t seen it there yet. But that will be the only way I can see this production, not with these “discount codes”.

 

Time out! I just saw a post here that says Today’s Tix has tickets for $30 and the view was good and they had a great time. That’s the way I’ll go. I guess thank God for Today’s Tix.  But I think Today’s Tix has a deal with the Producers. So thank you Producers. 



 



 

Updated On: 2/19/19 at 09:29 PM

[EthelMae]

Posted: 2/19/19 at 9:35pm

Thank you RWPrincess. Good info to know.

[HunterK]

Posted: 2/20/19 at 12:01am

I went tonight and found it absolutely beautiful. Joel Grey's direction knocks it out the park! The heart in this show is big! The cast is stellar. Steven Skybell captures the essence of Tevye. The set was so simplistic and effective at the same time. I enjoyed every moment. I bought the wine glass as well! Thanks for the suggestion,

I did the Today Tix Rush and was given Q 3, which was absolutely perfect, but I moved to Q 2 on the other side at intermission (I enjoy an aisle...and my own row). The last 3 rows of the orchestra were empty. But the audience seemed to love it as much as I did! Go see this!!

[EthelMae]

Posted: 2/20/19 at 12:31am

Good to know, HunterK. Thx! Sounds great.

[Wee Thomas2]

Posted: 2/20/19 at 5:55am

There have been and are other discounts, EthelMae.

 

And Off Broadway can be expensive.  Did you see Sweeney Todd at the Barrow Street Theater?  VERY high ticket prices, but there were discounts if you paid attention to all sources, including this board.

[WldKingdomHM]

Posted: 2/20/19 at 7:53am

Going to Opening Night. This is my first Fiddler. Very excited 

[uncageg]

Posted: 2/20/19 at 8:47am

EthelMae said: "OK. Time to vent. I got a beautifulflyer in the mail today for this production of Fiddleron the Roofat Stage42. They havediscount codes. The discount price is$109 top. $109 top!For an Off-Broadway show at Stage42. That’s the discount. I find this very sad. I don’t blame the Producersof the show. I blame it on real estate? Not sure. But if Off-Broadway discount tops for tickets are $109, you are going to see fewer shows produced Off-Broadway. Now I know all the info about how producers can’t break even Off-Broadway so I get the priceytickets-but full price for this show must be like$169?? That’s practically Broadway top. Off-Broadway was born so people couldgo to the theater for fewer dollars. That ain’t happening here.

Maybe this show will hit TDF. I haven’t seen it there yet. But that willbe the only way I can see this production, not with these “discount codes”.



Timeout! I just saw a post here that says Today’s Tixhas tickets for $30 and the view was good and they had a great time. That’s the way I’ll go. I guess thank God for Today’sTix.But I think Today’s Tixhas a deal with the Producers. So thank you Producers.

They also have $59 & &69 seats. They are on the sides in the rear with great views.







"