5-Oct-22 – No matter how many times you’ve seen this Broadway classic, Barrie Kosky’s uplifting direction takes Lyric Opera’s Fiddler on the Roof to a whole new level.

Kosky is currently in residence at the Komische Oper Berlin and incorporates his own Jewish heritage, with innovative stagecraft, into the show. He keeps the tradition center stage while telling Fiddler’s joyful and heartbreaking story. It is indeed a treat for Chicago theatregoers to see his remarkable production on such a grand scale.

Instead of an older “fiddler,” Kosky has selected 5th grader Drake Wunderlich as the violinist. Dressed in blue jeans with a bright green sweatshirt, Drake stands out in his many scenes, showing that the future of Jewish tradition is carried for generations.

The book was written by Joseph Stein, based on Sholom Aleichem’s Tevye and His Daughters, with haunting music by Jerry Bock and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick. The original New York production was directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins.

Viewers around the world have been mesmerized by the simple story of Fiddler on the Roof for more than 50 years. The show I saw was filled with school groups, Fiddler enthusiasts who knew every word to every song, and an audience of all ages.

The cast of 100 fills the giant Lyric stage, almost overpowering it when creating the real-life shtetl of Anatevka. The set design features an unusual element with closet doors, opening and closing to reveal the actors. Are they hiding in reference to antisemitism in Europe? Perhaps.

Steven Skybell plays Tevye, the role for which he won a Lucille Lortel Award for the 2019 off-Broadway Yiddish production. It’s a part he knows inside and out, yet he plays the character with freshness and authenticity. He is a gem.

Forget Topol and Zero Mostel. This is today’s Tevye.

Debbie Gravitte, as his long-suffering wife, Golde, has a beautiful voice, and Glencoe native Lauren Marcus charms as oldest daughter, Tzeitel.

The other talented singing actors include Austen Bohmer as Hodel, Maya Jacobson as Chava, Drew Redington as Motel, Adam Kaplan as Perchik, and Michael Nigro as Fyedka.

Kudos to actress Melody Betts for her hysterical performance as Grandma/Fruma Sarah. Always a hit.

But the real star of the show is the high-energy, passionate, and well-conceived choreography that leaves the audience breathless. The dancing is simply over the top.

Original choreography is by Otto Pichler and revival choreography is by Silvano Marraffa.

The Lyric Opera Orchestra and Chorus are led by outstanding conductor Kimberly Grigsby, making her Lyric debut with the traditional score. Michael Black is Lyric’s Chorus Master. The music never sounded better than in the acoustically stunning Civic Opera House.

Without giving away too much, the pogrom ending the first act is shocking. The audience sat there in silence, stunned. Maybe it was knowing what was to come. Also, note the beautiful, serene snowfall in the second act. These were just some of Kosky’s magical touches. Joyous, indeed.