Rochester Opera House's 'Fiddler on the Roof' is a triumph on any sage, anywhere

The full cast of "Fiddler on the Rood" taken during a break in rehearsals last Monday (Courtesy photo)

There's only one word to describe the premiere of "Fiddler on the Roof" at Rochester Opera House on Friday.
Triumphant!
If this were on the stage in Boston's Theater District, Hub critics would be saying the very same thing.
Under the direction of Patrick Dorow, this play brings you into the close orbit of Anatevka, a hardscrabble Jewish village in Ukraine, with a colorful cast of characters you'll fall in love with by the end of Act. 1.
Every human emotion is on full display here, from kindness to cynicism to fear of Jewish persecution at the hands of the Czar, and oh yeah, plenty of comic relief as well.
It'll take no longer than the first number, "Tradition," to see that the exuberance of the actors, the strong, stirring voices; and the crisp, dynamic choreography of Jo Meallo portends an incredible ride for theatergoers.
The plot goes like this.
Scott H. Severance, as Tevye, portrays a poor milkman with five daughters, who need to be married off in the "traditional" ways, by a matchmaker, rather than falling in love.
But times are changing, and a college student from Kyiv provides the spark that helps ignite a transformation away from those traditions, much to the chagrin of the village Matchmaker.
Severance's robust acting and strong voice is complemented by a seasoned cast including Jenry Towle as Tevye's hard-working wife, who don't back down.
Yente, the village Matchmaker, played by Kerry Schneider, is a total hoot as she plies her trade of plotting matrimonial bliss.
When Lazar Wolf, the prosperous butcher, played by Michael Towle, asks for the hand of Tevye's eldest daughter with a gift of five chicken to boot, Teyve is thrilled even though the butcher and he are about the same age.
But his daughter has other ideas as she confronts her dad about her love for someone else.
The action all plays out as Czarist operatives plan to "make trouble" in the tiny Jewish enclave.
Speaking of action, you'll see some stunning dance moves performed during this iconic, much-beloved musical, including the stunning "bottle dance," which we will let you watch with no "reveal" from this reviewer.
Get ready for a treat.
Yes, "Fiddler on the Roof" is a triumph, in any theater, anywhere.

Upcoming performances

Sunday, July 14: 5PM
Wednesday, July 17: 7:30PM
Thursday, July 18: 7:30PM
Friday, July 19: 2PM & 7:30PM
Saturday, July 20: 2PM & 7:30PM
Sunday, July 21: 5PM
Wednesday, July 24: 7:30PM
Thursday, July 25: 7:30PM
Friday, July 26: 7:30PM
Saturday, July 27: 2PM & 7:30PM
For tickets and more information, visit www.rochesteroperahouse.com
Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St, Rochester, NH 03867