"Fiddler on the Roof," for me, has always been one of those shows that isn't just a typical musical, although it fits into the genre of musical theatre. Truly, the music of the show is intertwined with the culture and passion of the European Jews. I have never felt that the "song moments" were just added for performance effect within the genre, but rather to underscore the importance of how the Jewish people celebrate their traditions and customs through dance and music. I like the folk aspects of the show, richly presented in the importance of community, family, and relationships.
This year's theme for Westfield Theatre productions is "Love and Marriage." There are several unions, or marriages, that are presented in the production of "Fiddler," including a typical ceremony under the canopy, complete with a traditional wedding dance. I think that everyone should have the experience of seeing a Jewish wedding, which can become a very passionate party, freeing the celebrant of any worries about life. Like the show itself, a Jewish wedding is a spiritual rite of passage that can be very cathartic to take part in.
On a personal note, I have a deep respect and love for "the chosen people," and I felt that our Westfield community needed to be welcomed into a greater understanding and appreciation of the culture that is so specifically found in a good production of "Fiddler on the Roof."