BWW Reviews: FIDDLER is a Good Match at the Majestic

The national touring production of perennial hit Fiddler on the Roof is currently playing at San Antonio's Majestic Theater.  We've had a bit of a cold snap recently, but I urge you to venture out into the chill to see this musical! 

Experience has shown me that, for the most part, "old" shows often fail to hold my interest.  You won't find South Pacific or Phantom of the Opera at the top of my favorite musicals, for a variety of reasons.  I went into Fiddler knowing several of its notable songs ("Matchmaker," "If I Were a Rich Man" [thank you Gwen Stefani] and "Sunrise, Sunset," specifically), but expecting to be bored by an outdated story.  It originally opened in 1964, after all. 

However! - and that is a very emphatic "however" - what I discovered was a timeless tale of a traditional Jewish family drowning in tradition, on the verge of giving in to the influence of the radical outside world.  It was heartwarming, and at times, heartbreaking, to watch a loving father torn between devotion to his daughters and his faith.  Tevye, played by John Preece (who has played the role of Tevye more than 1,700 times), is an impeccable storyteller with an endless supply of Biblical quotes (some more accurate than others) and is the cornerstone of this capable cast.

Fiddler will be at the Majestic through December 11.  Tickets are available at the box office or via Ticketmaster.com.