Photos

By Hadley Robinson
Special to The Almanac

Woodside Community Theatre is presenting "Fiddler on the Roof" at the Performing Arts Center at Woodside High School.

Remaining show times are 7:30 p.m. Nov. 13 and 14, with a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. on Nov. 15. See ticket information below.

Directed and choreographed by Bill Starr in his debut gig with WCT, the musical portrays a family in a small village in an increasingly anti-Semitic Tsarist Russia. The protagonist and father, Tevye, grapples with a changing world as his daughters challenge the traditions and way of life that he has always known.

The production is strongest when the whole chorus is on stage. The choreography is fun and the cast brings an inspiring energy to their dancing, particularly when they all work together. Much of the music in "Fiddler" is rhythmically difficult and demands a broad range, and the singers handle it impressively.

Part of the energy of the chorus is a result of the talented 29-musician live orchestra, led by musical director and conductor Richard Gordon. The singing, choreography and lively music weaves together beautifully.

The show feels professional, even though almost all the 130 people involved in the production are volunteers. The production is a mix of actors and crew who have been involved in many previous plays, including with WCT, and others who are debuting on stage and have never sung in front of an audience.

For this year's musical, lots of young people are in the cast, including students from local schools. In some cases, entire families are involved in the production.

The set, designed by Akio Patrick, is sturdily built of wood. The crew, all in costume like the cast, moves across the stage in between scenes, turning the cleverly designed wooden structure that poses as the outside of Tevye's home in one scene, as the barn in the next, and then the tailor shop in the next.

The costumes are simple but spot on, with the women in bonnets and colorful dresses that twirl in sync as the ladies dance, and the men in caps, trousers and aprons.

Of special note is Hodel, played by Olivia Puerta. Hodel is the second oldest daughter to Tevye and falls in love with a revolutionary from Kiev. Her clear, strong voice stands out through all her songs, from when it is first unveiled during "Matchmaker" to "Far from the Land I Love," when she explains to her father why she must go to Siberia to be with her love.

The cast looks like they are having a great time and the choreography and direction seems to encourage that.

Though the performance requires concentration, the Russian bottle dancers are clearly enjoying themselves as they master a dance with wine bottles on their heads.

During the dream scene, with colorful lighting and large shadows, much of the cast moves across the stage under white veils, making the scene whimsical and dark at the same time.

This is the WTC's seventh November production. It is co-produced by Mark Bowles, Donna Losey, Mindy Bowles and Claudia McCarley.

TICKET INFORMATION
■ The Woodside Community Theatre's production of "Fiddler on the Roof" is being staged at the Performing Arts Center at Woodside High School, 199 Churchill Ave. Remaining show times are 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 13 and 14, with a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. on Nov. 15. Tickets are on sale online at woodsidetheatre.com or by calling 529-4828.
■ Ticket prices are $22 for adults, $20 for seniors, and $15 for children. Discounts are available for groups of 20 or more. Tickets are still available. Contact the box office at (650) 529-4828 or boxoffice@woodsidetheatre.com.

Hadley Robinson is a San Francisco-based freelance writer who covers news throughout the Bay Area.

■ It truly takes a village to put on 'Fiddler'

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