The music of a single fiddler faded away as the play came to a touching end. West Valley City Arts Council’s Fiddler on the Roof was a success. With a great cast and orchestra, the play was almost perfect for an amateur play.



This commonly re-enacted play still has power over people’s hearts and minds. Tevye, played by Merrill Dodge, played the part to perfection, with wonderful sarcasm and with his touching and humorous prayers to God. The three daughters were all well cast and did wonderful jobs on their own little problems and romances. Hodel (Sarah Huff) sang wonderfully in “Far From the Home I Love.” Even though all of the characters were enchanting in their own way, Yente (Giselle LaVoie Airriess), the matchmaker, was one of the most endearing at the end. As you watch this play, there are moments you hurt right along with the characters. Like when Tevye and Golda lose each of their three eldest daughters to marriage, one by one, especially Chava, the youngest.



The worst part was the distraction of children in the cast running from backstage to backstage. The only other problem was not always being able to hear non-leads when they had a line. All in all, it was a wonderful, touching rendition of the traditional Fiddler on the Roof.