Fiddler a success

The players of the Silver Spring Christ Congressional Church (CCC) are on key with their classic rendition of Fiddler on the Roof. What the CCC lacked in scenery, they made up for in acting. The Jewish musical made a great showing on the CCC stage and the actors keep the audience entertained with songs and laughs.

Fiddler on the Roof is a hilarious Jewish musical that centers on the family of a village dairyman, Tevye. Tevye, played by Jim Todhunter is the main attraction of the evening. Todhunter is willing to do almost anything to get a laugh, even strut up and down the stage during his song "If Only I was a Rich Man," or stumble across a bar like a drunkard.

Two of Blair's own make a memorable appearance in Fiddler. Junior Audrey Tornblom plays Hodel, Tevye's second daughter. Hodel falls in love with Perchik, played by senior John Selby. Tornblom and Selby make a great match, in their acting and singing performances. The two play convincing young lovers, who break with tradition in the Jewish village by becoming engaged without the help of a matchmaker.

The CCC players manage to keep the audience being creative. During one scene, Tevye has a nightmare and is warned against his daughter's engagement to the village butcher. A woman dressed as the butchers' dead wife runs screaming onto the stage and dances around the bed. She warns of Tevye's ill fate if his daughter marries the butcher. The butcher's dead wife adds a burst of energy to the play at just the right moment.

The costumes are on loan from Blair and make the CCC players look like genuine Jewish villagers. The women and men are true to the traditional Jewish attire. The setting is simple, but that is the way of the village. There is one piano player to accompany the singers throughout the play, and the play would not be complete without a fiddler at the introduction and conclusion of the musical.

The lightning job made it obvious to the viewers that the play was not a Broadway production, but met the needs for a community performance. However the green filters during the aside scenes seemed too simple and out of place, as did some of the acting. It was evident that some of the younger and even older actors were nervous and lacked in experience, however the stronger players shined.

The musical was a pleasure to watch and listen to. Mazeltov to the cast and crew for a wonderful performance.