# I'm going to see Fiddler on the Roof on stage next month. Will it be worth it? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 2, 2009, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-see-fiddler-on-the-roof-on-stage-next-month-will-it-be-worth-it/491772 "2009-04-02T21:53:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Stauderhorse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@Stauderhorse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stauderhorse)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2009, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-see-fiddler-on-the-roof-on-stage-next-month-will-it-be-worth-it/491772/1 "2009-04-02T21:53:20Z")
On the recommendation of someone or other from work, my mother just bought two tickets to see _Fiddler on the Roof_ when it comes to Tampa at the end of April. I’ve never seen it; I don’t really want to read the description on Wiki, as I’d like to go in without knowing all the plot details. All I know is that it has something to do with an older man and his daughters getting married. I do love musicals, though I’ve never seen a professional stage production of one. So without giving anything away, tell me…will I enjoy going to see it? What was your impression when you first saw it? Thanks very much in advance. ---
**Author:** ![emmaliminal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@emmaliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emmaliminal)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2009, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-see-fiddler-on-the-roof-on-stage-next-month-will-it-be-worth-it/491772/2 "2009-04-02T22:02:05Z")
I bet you’ll enjoy it if a) you like that sort of thing, and it sounds like you do, and b) the actor playing Tevye is good (and to a lesser extent if all the other actors are good too). If you’ve never seen a professionally staged musical – well, if the show is done well, it might be really delightful. IME if it or any other musical is \*not \*done well, it’s worse than other kinds of bad theater, and that’s pretty bad. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2009, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-see-fiddler-on-the-roof-on-stage-next-month-will-it-be-worth-it/491772/3 "2009-04-02T22:04:15Z")
I hate musicals with a passion, but I needed to see one for my theater class, so I picked this one because I knew a quarter of the cast of that production. I enjoyed it quite a bit. The whole bursting into song at inappropriate times is less jarring in Fiddler than any other musical I’ve seen. ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2009, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-see-fiddler-on-the-roof-on-stage-next-month-will-it-be-worth-it/491772/4 "2009-04-02T22:06:13Z")
If you love musicals, and you’ve never seen a professional stage production, then assuming that this is a competent production, you should absolutely enjoy it. I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen Fiddler on stage, although I’ve seen the movie many times, know all the songs, and once performed in it as a water ballet. The songs are memorable and singable – you should come out humming at least one, and the story has a nice mix of comedy and drama. Although it’s not my favorite musical, it’s always had a special place in my heart because of the particular setting of the story and the ethnicity of the characters, but its themes are universal and the quality of the music puts it up there with the greats of its era. Have a good time! I’m going to see _Wicked_ in July and I’m very excited. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2009, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-see-fiddler-on-the-roof-on-stage-next-month-will-it-be-worth-it/491772/5 "2009-04-02T22:08:09Z")
If you like musicals (and assuming the cast in this production is good), you should love “Fiddler.” I think it’s the greatest musical ever made, one of the very few that’s both hilarious and heartbreaking. P.S. I’m not even Jewish- I’m 100% Irish! ---
**Author:** ![Winnipeg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ec9cab/32.png) [@Winnipeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winnipeg)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2009, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-see-fiddler-on-the-roof-on-stage-next-month-will-it-be-worth-it/491772/6 "2009-04-02T23:09:53Z")
I saw Fiddler on the London stage when I was but a teenager, who wouldn’t have been seen dead there and was forced to go… loved it.🆒 p.s. I am not Gay, not that its matters at all, OK, good, glad thats settled. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2009, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-see-fiddler-on-the-roof-on-stage-next-month-will-it-be-worth-it/491772/7 "2009-04-03T01:16:27Z")
Fiddler is deservedly considered one of the classics of the musical genre. You should enjoy it a lot. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2009, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-see-fiddler-on-the-roof-on-stage-next-month-will-it-be-worth-it/491772/8 "2009-04-03T01:30:53Z")
As others have said, a lot depends on the production. There are few things more annoying than watching a poorly done musical. Having said that, _Fiddler_ has good songs (and a couple of great songs), an easily followed plot, fun characters, and a nice mixture of drama and comedy. So, if it’s a professional group doing it, should be a wonderful experience. Do let us know after, what you thought. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2009, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-see-fiddler-on-the-roof-on-stage-next-month-will-it-be-worth-it/491772/9 "2009-04-03T02:31:51Z")
> [@emmaliminal](#): > > I bet you’ll enjoy it if … b) the actor playing Tevye is good I’ve heard of [him](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaim_Topol).😃 (It’s Chaim Topol, star of the movie/London premiere,etc.- he’s retiring. However, I’ve read negative reviews of him believe it or not- that he’s basically phoning it in these days. But, since he’s near the end, hopefully he’s got a second wind. I envy you- I’d LOVE to see Topol in this role, but I doubt I’ll be able to unless he pulls a Bernhardt and retires again next year. It’s worth seeing just to say you saw “the man” in the role. When he first played the role he was about 30; now he’s in his 70s. Tevye is- no age is given, but I’d guess his mid 40s at the beginning (the play spans about 2 years). ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2009, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-see-fiddler-on-the-roof-on-stage-next-month-will-it-be-worth-it/491772/10 "2009-04-03T03:31:26Z")
Uhhh, **elfkin** , it’s never inappropriate to burst into song for no apparent reason. Are you an HR director? It seems I always have to keep telling HR directors that… ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2009, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-see-fiddler-on-the-roof-on-stage-next-month-will-it-be-worth-it/491772/11 "2009-04-03T13:22:18Z")
If you’ve never been to a professionally produced musical, you’ll love **Fiddler**. I wouldn’t put it in my top ten, but it’s certainly a good musical, and seeing it done by pros is only going to make it better for you. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2009, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-see-fiddler-on-the-roof-on-stage-next-month-will-it-be-worth-it/491772/12 "2009-04-03T14:05:03Z")
Yes, see it. If it’s done well, there are few musicals that are better. I saw a touring company of it with Topol back in the Seventies and really liked it. Then my sister played Fruma Sarah (sp?) in a high school production and it rocked. Then a friend of mine played the rabbi in a community theatre production a few years ago and I realized all over again what a great show it is (surpassed only, IMHO, by _1776_ and _The Mikado_). If I had the chance to go see it again tonight, I would. An earlier thread that might be of interest: [Fiddler on the Roof - Cafe Society - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=506560) ---
**Author:** ![Walkabout](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/46a35a/32.png) [@Walkabout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walkabout)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2009, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-see-fiddler-on-the-roof-on-stage-next-month-will-it-be-worth-it/491772/13 "2009-04-03T14:33:09Z")
This is one of my favorite musicals, and I’d love to see it with Topol. I grew up listening to the Broadway sound track with Zero Mostel, and I have most of the songs memorized. It also happens to be one of the shows that I have tickets to this summer put on by our local professional theater, and I’m really looking forward to it. ---
**Author:** ![Stauderhorse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@Stauderhorse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stauderhorse)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2009, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-see-fiddler-on-the-roof-on-stage-next-month-will-it-be-worth-it/491772/14 "2009-05-02T23:44:25Z")
You guys were right, I did really enjoy it. The songs were so much fun, and everyone had beautiful singing voices. The story itself was great; I loved how Tevye got around his wife’s objections so his oldest daughter could marry the man she loved. He was such a sweet guy who had to face so many changes all at once, and for the most part, he took it in stride. It had a great amount of humor mixed in with the drama, but the ending broke my heart. Overall, I’m very glad I went. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2009, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-see-fiddler-on-the-roof-on-stage-next-month-will-it-be-worth-it/491772/15 "2009-05-03T00:24:49Z")
Three days after I met the woman who later became **kaylasmom** , I drove her to an audition for a community theatre production of _Fiddler_. She had performed the role of Hodel in an all-visually-impaired production at the Foundation for the Junior Blind a few years prior, and she walked away with the same role again, this time with an otherwise all-sighted cast. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2009, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-see-fiddler-on-the-roof-on-stage-next-month-will-it-be-worth-it/491772/16 "2009-05-03T00:26:14Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Three days after I met the woman who later became **kaylasmom** , I drove her to an audition for a community theatre production of _Fiddler_. She had performed the role of Hodel in an all-visually-impaired production at the Foundation for the Junior Blind a few years prior, and she walked away with the same role again, this time with an otherwise all-sighted cast. Please tell me that just one person said of your romance “So tell the truth, the way she sees and the way he looks, it’s a perfect match”.😉 ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2009, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-see-fiddler-on-the-roof-on-stage-next-month-will-it-be-worth-it/491772/17 "2009-05-03T00:44:04Z")
Glad to hear you enjoyed it, **Stauderhorse** , and thanks for telling us. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2009, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-see-fiddler-on-the-roof-on-stage-next-month-will-it-be-worth-it/491772/18 "2009-05-03T00:47:22Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > Please tell me that just one person said of your romance “So tell the truth, the way she sees and the way he looks, it’s a perfect match”.😉 🙂 Heh. Not exactly. But coming back from a North Pole cruise in 1983, a few of us were standing around the engine room talking about our plans for when we hit port. I mentioned that I was going to fly to the mainland and get married. The Bull Nuke laughed and said, “_You’re_ getting married, Brown? Man, she must be blind.” I smiled and replied, “She is, Master Chief, but how did you know?” He turned a glorious shade of red, and visibly shrank by about two inches. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2009, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-see-fiddler-on-the-roof-on-stage-next-month-will-it-be-worth-it/491772/19 "2009-05-03T01:07:40Z")
Too bad the “way she sees/way he looks” line was cut from the movie (along with “last week you gave me two kopeks”), though I do like that Tevye baits the guy with “it was twelve years old” better than the “horse-mule” fight. And of course I hear it in Bea Arthur’s voice may she rest in peace. Right? Of course right. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Sensitive](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/58956e/32.png) [@Darth\_Sensitive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Sensitive)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2009, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-see-fiddler-on-the-roof-on-stage-next-month-will-it-be-worth-it/491772/20 "2009-05-20T19:48:55Z")
I’m going to see it tonight 🙂 Family + girlfriend get to see Topol in Dallas - should be fun. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-see-fiddler-on-the-roof-on-stage-next-month-will-it-be-worth-it/491772.md?page=2)