Review by Catherine Foster, Mercy McAuley High School Critic Team
As the lights come up, a solitary figure appears onstage playing a fiddle, and a story of tradition and change begins to unfold: Campbell County High School's production of Fiddler on the Roof was full of warmth and life.
Fiddler on the Roof is set in a Jewish village in imperial Russia in the early twentieth century. The story centers around Tevye, the village milkman and father of five daughters. While Tevye believes in the importance of tradition and wishes customary arranged marriages for his girls, his three oldest daughters have other ideas, choosing their own husbands out of love, each less pleasing to Tevye than the last. Besides grappling with how to react to his daughters' divergence from cultural norms, Tevye must also deal with the growing oppression his community faces from the Russians.
Campbell County's production of Fiddler on the Roof was a lively and earnest rendition of this beloved musical. The sincere and enthusiastic performances of the cast, as well as immersive technical elements, brought the village of Anatevka to life in a vibrant and engaging way.
Jonas Aboagye's portrayal of Tevye was genuine and captivating. He successfully emphasized Tevye's many humorous lines throughout the show through skillful comedic timing and vocal inflection. His facial expressions clearly showed the internal conflict Tevye experiences between his traditional values and love for his daughters. Annelise Huff, playing Tevye's strong-willed wife Golde, brought intensity and polish to such numbers as the bittersweet "Sunrise, Sunset" with her clear, ringing vocals.
Carissa Krebs was endearing and vivacious in the role of Tzeitel, Tevye's oldest daughter. Her passion and sincerity made the scene where Tzeitel begs her father to be allowed to marry the man she loves one of the most memorable and heartfelt moments of the show.
The set for Campbell County's Fiddler on the Roof, designed by Alli Dunn and crew, was functional, versatile, and embodied the show's small-town setting. It featured two small houses with doors that actors could enter and exit through, as well as many smaller pieces that could be taken on and off stage as needed to create different settings within the village. Lighting by L Garrison highlighted the show's theme about the passing of time by using different colored lights to show changes in the time of day.
Overall, Campbell County High School's production of Fiddler on the Roof was spirited and heartfelt. The zeal and earnestness of the cast, as well as the creative designs and hard work of the crew, made this show a success. This production was a great reminder that, like a fiddler perched on a roof, we must take care to live our lives with balance, embracing new ideas without turning our backs on who we are.
Review by Delaney Cowles, William Mason High School Critic Team
As the lights dim and the sound of a flowing fiddle sweeps across the audience, Fiddler on the Roof, a tale that explores the juxtaposition of tradition and the need for change, begins. From warmth and wit to addressing broader human struggles, Fiddler on the Roof is a complex story brought to life by Campbell County High School.
Fiddler on the Roof tells the tale of a simple and traditional milkman, Tevye, as he grapples with the growing changes that surround him not only within his own family unit but also in his beloved Anatevka.
Jonas Aboagye masterfully balanced the complexity of Tevye's need to uphold the Jewish customs and his undeniable love for his daughter. Aboagye engaged with the audience on numerous occasions, effortlessly conversing as if he were talking with an old friend. There were no awkward hesitations or abrupt shifts, acting as a natural expression of his inner thoughts. Beyond his spoken lines, whenever Aboagye sang, his voice continued to carry the weight of his character's inner turmoil between love and tradition, oftentimes purposely letting his voice crack and shake to further the emotional storytelling. Golde, brought to life by Annelise Huff, excelled at each quick quip and comedic one-liner. Despite being a high schooler, Huff carried herself with the weight and authority of a struggling mother, adjusting her posture and gait to fit the character.
The daughters of Tevye as a unit not only had a clear balance when it came to perfected harmonies, but maintained that balance in all their interactions. They had undeniable chemistry, for example, when the third oldest daughter, Chava, played by Kamryn Rice, returned after being disgraced by her father, her sister Tzeitel, played by Carissa Krebs, ran to embrace her, exhibiting the ongoing love the sisters possess. Another standout was Lazar Wolf, played by Caleb Allender, whose clear diction and confidence onstage drew attention to him within every scene he was part of.
The crew of Fiddler on the Roof proved that they are flexible and reliable, handling last-minute malfunctions with ease and composure. When the wagon intended to be dragged by Tevye for the majority of the show broke right before the prologue, the crew jumped into action, finding a replacement. Beyond that, when the replacement wagon broke, set crew member Brooke Marlow fixed and adjusted it as the show progressed, seamlessly solving the issue. Adding to their versatility, stage manager Sapphire Cagnon took off her walkie-talkie and picked up a fiddle to open the show. Overall, their ability under pressure showcased not only their technical expertise but a devotion to bringing the story of Fiddler on the Roof to life.
Campbell County High School's production of Fiddler on the Roof brought to life the timeless story of family, tradition, and strength. The cast and crew artfully represented these themes in their own actions, showcasing that being adaptable to change results in a beautiful product.
Review by Clark Sayre, Walnut Hills High School Citic Team
In a tale of family and community, Campbell County High School and their production of Fiddler on the Roof proved that, together, they were a match worthy of a matchmaker.
Penned by Joseph Stein in 1964, Fiddler on the Roof follows Tevye, a poor milkman, as he is forced to find his way through a world of changing tradition and an impending Russian occupation. A touching tale of faith, family, and fortune, Fiddler on the Roof is a story of knowledge and understanding that remains pertinent today.
Campbell County adroitly immersed the audience in the little town of Anatevka. They skillfully combined carefully crafted set pieces with sensationally honest ensemble work to create an incredibly intimate environment out of a fairly large auditorium that provided valuable insight into the performance design.
At the head of the ensemble was the indomitable Jonas Aboagye, as Tevye. He expertly manipulated his physicality and speaking voice to create a character that was both extremely likable and frighteningly commanding. Aboagye provided a necessary driving force throughout the entire show as he deftly tied together all aspects of the production into a singular, coherent piece of theatre.
Amidst the rest of the stunning company, Davin Rose and Caleb Allender were particularly spectacular. Rose played the counter-cultural student, Perchik, who challenged the traditions of the town as soon as he arrived in Anatevka. He nimbly crafted a unique persona that perfectly portrayed the aura of a city goer living in a small town. On the contrary, Allender, as Lazar Wolf, Anatevka's butcher, perfectly embodied all of the charm and inclusivity that is characteristic of small communities. Allender astutely balanced moments of humor and anger to give a memorable, well-rounded performance. Both Rose and Allender demonstrated immaculate preparatory work that enhanced the production as a whole.
Aside from the cast, the technical elements were just as breathtaking. The set crew, led by Alli Dunn, constructed intricate roofing for the houses of Anatevka that created an endearing atmosphere for the show. On top of that, the stage management team, led by Sapphire Cagnon, made sure that each scene change was smooth and each light cue on time. Cagnon and Dunn collaborated beautifully to enhance the performances and entertain the audience.
With touching acting and sophisticated tech, Campbell County's Fiddler on the Roof captured the importance of community and showed that, no matter what, family will always come through.
Excerpts From Other Top Reviews
"As the show begins, we learn about the town's culture from none other than the dairyman, Tevye, played by Jonas Aboagye. His outstanding performance truly captivated the audience, particularly in 'If I Were a Rich Man.' As for his wife, Annelise Huff delivered a marvelous portrayal of Golde's strong-headed personality. To further compel the audience, during their duet 'Do You Love Me?," the audience was swept off their feet by a truly touching performance filled with beautiful vocals and heartfelt acting."
-Emily Spiering, Milford High School Critic Team
"Adding to the spectacularity of the performances were the technical aspects. The set crew, led by Alli Dunn, created a beautiful set that mirrored the simplicity of Anatevka. Through wooden homes and the artistic aging of the set pieces, they were able to create a scene that truly encapsulated the feelings of a small rural town. In addition, the lighting crew, led by L. Garrison, created beautiful atmospheres that tied to a theme of how things are constantly changing over time. The crew used the color of the lights to show different moods of the show and its characters, ultimately using an orange and yellow hue to represent the warmth and familiarity of the little town."
-Julia Biernat, Saint Ursula Academy Critic Team
"It was clear that each of the cast members spent time and effort working on their characters. Each character, whether they had seventy lines or two, seemed to have their own story. Dialects, body language, and subtle interactions all contributed to this. At no point did any character look or sound incomplete. This effect was most noticeable in the five distinct daughters, played by Clarissa Krebs, Poplar Cagnon, Kamryn Rice, Zoey Little, and Chloe Chutzman. Overall, the ensemble had great energy and successfully kept the show immersive and engaging."
-Brady Eastep, Milford High School Critic Team
"The whole show unfolded on a dazzling stage from the mood-changing lights to the realistic sets. Alli Dunn and crew created houses with colorful roofs and faux decay around the exterior, immersing the audience in 1903 Russia. Representing the passing days, the lighting (L Garrison) guided the audience through the time and emotion of each scene. This captivating stage would not have been complete without the cohesive costumes. The authentic but colorful pieces complemented the sets while defining the specific identities for every character."
-Emily Benight, William Henry Harrison High School Critic Team
"Campbell County's production took this beautiful and moving story and won the audience's hearts with their delivery and execution. Creative technical elements anchored the story in a well-defined and lifelike setting, while the energetic ensemble seamlessly incorporated the show's lighthearted humor into the deeper elements of the show, keeping the story moving forward while still drawing many laughs from the audience."
-Hana Conte, The Summit Country Day Critic Team
"Managed by Sapphire Cagnon and assisted by Gracie Field and Zychik Rozhkov, transitions between scenes and performances were seamlessly done with fast-paced cues and set movement. While keeping track of cues, all members of the management team managed to not only perform their duties but also perform on stage in smaller roles such as the Fiddler and townspeople."
-Annabelle Schlotman, The Summit County Day Critic Team
"Campbell County High School's Fiddler on the Roof was an engaging production driven by strong performances and excellent technical work. From Jonas Aboagye's Tevye to Annelise Huff's Golde, the cast brought the characters to life with depth and sincerity. The harmonies of the three sisters in "Matchmaker" and the seamless technical coordination, led by Sapphire Cagnon, showcased the dedication and talent behind the production. With beautiful sets designed by Alli Dunn and smooth transitions, the show transported the audience to Anatevka, leaving a lasting impression of family, tradition, and the challenges of change."
-Averie Shutters, Milford High School Critic Team
-
Comentarios