Fiddler on the Roof

Fiddler on the Roof
National Tour
Buell Theater
Denver, CO
June 11-16, 2019

Fiddler on the Roof is a show most people have heard of but few have seen. The current national tour is changing that.

The opening song is “Tradition.” It spoke of the strange customs of this devout Jewish group in the town of Anatevka in Russia. While it was lighthearted and energetic, it set the stage for the dark story ahead.

From the beginning, the choreography shone. It was lively and interesting with a clear influence on the Jewish and Russian culture. The performance of the songs was a perfect companion to the dance sequences. Since so many have iconic status, expectation were high and none were disappointing.

While Tevye seemed a bit young for the role, he was engaging. His relationships with family members were warm and believable. His daughters were difficult to tell apart throughout the show.

The sets were simple and effective. The use of the fly system at the Buell was fun to watch. It is rare to see so many pieces rising and falling through the performance. This technique allowed for quick set changes and a smooth flow of action.

The costumes were certainly appropriate for the period, however in many cases they were too similar to each other so identifying characters was difficult at times.

While the theme of family is one most audience members could relate to, the mindless persecution and religious rigidity were tougher to understand. Despite some audience members’ discomfort with the material, the message about refugees in Fiddler on the Roof is still relevant.

Wicked

Wicked
National Tour
Buell Theater
Denver, CO 
May 9 - June 9, 2019

Wicked has flown into Denver for a record sixth time. This musical has been around for 15 years, and it seems that audiences has not tired of it.

The story and music have held up well. It did not seem dated in any way. Audiences can still relate to the characters and the situations. The dark plot of prejudice is still relevant.

The production had a strong cast. Elphaba was strong and defiant. Glinda was appropriately ditzy and shallow. The lead actresses had a good chemistry between them throughout. Fiyero was charming and the growth of his character unfolded smoothly.

The ensemble added strong support to the performance. The voices were strong and blended beautifully. The production numbers were nearly flawless.

Even the set still looked modern. The industrial structures surrounding the action gave the production a steampunk look which is more popular now than when Wicked was created. The set pieces which easily moved on and off stage created each location completely.

The costumes effectively traced the transformation of the characters. Glinda was still fashionable while Elphaba’s style evolved from simple to gothic.

Wicked shows no sign of losing popularity. The story has a universal appeal, the staging is striking and the songs are unforgettable. The spell it has cast over audiences doesn’t seem to have faded at all.

Jack and the Beanstalk

Jack and the Beanstalk Arts in the Open
Chautauqua State Park
Boulder, CO
June 1-30, 2019

Summertime is when Arts in the Open offers fun, fantasy shows presented during a scenic hike at Chautauqua Park in Boulder.  The first show this season is Jack and the Beanstalk.

This show was darker than most done by Arts in the Open. It dealt with hunger, parental abandonment, kidnapping and isolation. And while it did feature a happy ending it was a rough road getting there.

Jack was played by a female actor, but the change seemed minor. She played the character as a person without drawing attention to gender. The other four actors portrayed many characters – each had at least one which was memorable. The cow and golden goose added humor to the dark story. The giant was loveably awkward.

The costume pieces to create the characters were fun and effective. A black shirt with holes and a floppy hat with ears created the diva-cow easily. The golden goose’s tail and bowler hat were especially well done.

While the story contained dark elements, the message of the importance of empathy shone through it. Jack represented the positive effect each of us can have on the lives of those around us.