Muny’s ‘Fiddler’ is fast-paced and full of feeling

Laden with wit and warmth, the evergreen "Fiddler on the Roof" is the musical theater equivalent of a group hug.

The tenth staging on the Muny stage offers new and traditional elements to keep the 52-year old show​ ​fresh and very entertaining, with Alex Sanchez' dynamic choreography and a robust ensemble highlights.

In a brilliant innovative move, the orchestra is on the stage for the first time. This isn't new at other theaters — the New York Philharmonic behind the actors for the 2010 "Company" starring Neil Patrick Harris comes to mind immediately — but it is at the Muny. With music director Brad Haak at the helm, the orchestra was in fine form, and the score benefits from a luxurious string section.

The addition of the orchestra made the setting more intimate, which worked in this situation. Robert Mark Morgan's scenic design perfectly complemented the story, with efficient cottages on either side of the stage — Tevye's home on the left, and then the tavern/tail​o​r shop on the right. They opened to reveal finely detailed environments.

The Fiddler was played by Andrew Crowe, a classically trained violinist. Director Gary Griffin spotlighted him effectively, which was a bright touch.

The 1964 musical, winner of nine Tonys and beloved worldwide for its heartwarming tale of faith, family and what home means, is timeless. The story of poor dairyman Tevye and his strong-willed daughters in the Russian village of Anatevka in 1905, based on the Sholem Aleichem stories, strikes a universal chord. For many of us, it was our first introduction to Jewish culture.

The ​discombobulated ​sense of chang​e and loss that Tevye feels in a time of political and emotional upheaval is the emotional core, as is the tale of his three daughters choosing love over tradition.

Because the show is such a war horse, one knows where the laugh lines are, and where ​the emotional tug​s ​ ​— "Sabbath Prayer" and "Chavaleh" ​move me every time.

In this version, the pace is ​quite​ brisk, ​which doesn't always help the show resonate emotionally. Michael McCormick​, less animated than usual for the larger-than-life star vehicle, delivered Tevye's humorous lines so speedily that not all of them connected the way it's intended. Nevertheless, his "If I Were a Rich Man" was a crowd pleaser.​

With "Fiddler," it's important to laugh as much as to feel.

That said, the supporting cast is what makes this show engage, particularly the three oldest daughters and their life loves​ — all strong​: Haley Bond as determined Tzeitel and a winning Alan Schmuckler as Motel, Briana Carlson-Goodman as the smart and feisty Hodel and Marrick Smith as the passionate activist Perchik, and Carla Blake Sebouhian as smart Chava and versatile Colby Dezelick as ​kind ​Russian soldier Fyedka.

As Perchik, Smith delivers a new song, “Any Day Now,” which was cut from the 1971 movie​ and restored exclusively for this production​ — a real treat.

Jeremy Lawrence, last seen here at the Tennessee Williams Festival, is a hoot as the rabbi while St. Louis actor Jerry Vogel is funny as Mordcha. Peter Van Wagner is a vigorous Lazar Wolf.

Always a standout, "The Dream Sequence" features ace comical actresses Zoe Vonder Haar as Grandma Tzeitel and Nancy Opel as Fruma Sarah. Opel ​is also crisp as​ the overbearing matchmaker Yente​.​

Opening night’s best number was "To Life," with spirited dancers and soaring vocals by the male cast. The Russian dancers Michael Biren, Patrick Garr, Ben Lanham and Tanner Pflueger were stunning.

The dancers were also sensational in the famous 'Bottle Dance" — with Jerome Robbins' genius moves. Bravo, Thom Dancy, Brandon Fink, Zachary Daniel Jones and Todd Rhoades.

Lighting by Rob Denton enhanced the show's elements, particularly in the Dream Sequence.

“Fiddler” endures because of its very real, grounded characters and the captivating songs by Sheldon Harnick (lyrics) and Jerry Bock (music). This might not be the definitive "Fiddler," ​as it lacked a certain connection, ​but that vivacious ensemble ​gave it their all.

This story was originally published August 1, 2016 at 3:10 PM with the headline "Muny’s ‘Fiddler’ is fast-paced and full of feeling."