Northampton Community College Bill Mutimer Memorial Summer Theatre has staged a thoroughly heart warming and well-rounded production of the classic musical “Fiddler on the Roof” through July 7 at Lipkin Theater, Northampton Community College, 3835 Green Pond Road, Bethlehem Township.
This production has it all - top-notch dancing, great musicianship, memorable acting and effective costumes and set.
In the pre-show curtain talk, artistic director Clair Freeman and technical director Brett Oliveira remembered Bill Mutimer, the founder of the program and who died March 6.
They dedicated the performance to Mutimer who played Tevye in a production of “Fiddler on the Roof” at Pennsylvania Playhouse in 1999. They also dedicated the performance to Mary Catherine Bracali, who just died June 22, and played Golde to Mutimer’s Tevye in the 1999 show.
Under the deft direction of newcomer Gustavo Wons, the show which depicts the eviction of the ethnic Jewish population from their homeland in what is now Ukraine, resonates anew with significance in the light of world events.
Wons also did the outstanding choreography based on Jerome Robbins’ original choreography. The traditional Jewish and Russian dancing is wonderfully executed by the cast and is exhilarating to watch. Highlights are the dance-off between the Jewish villagers and the Russians in “To Life,” and the dancing in “The Wedding,” which includes the impressive bottle dance.
Mark Stutz is an appealing Tevye. He especially has great timing on Tevye’s wryly humorous approach to the hardships in his life, particularly on display in “If I Were a Rich Man.” Stutz’ Tevye is amusingly blustery but caring. His monologues are compelling and he is endearing in the poignant “Do You Love Me?”
Trish Steele also is memorable as Tevye’s tough as nails wife Golde. Steele’s Golde is a survivor who suffers no nonsense from her family. However, Steele also lets the character’s feelings peek out.
As the couple’s three increasingly strong-willed older daughters, Maria Alvarez-Pallette (a desperately determined Tzeitel), Lydia Walker (a confident and spunky Hodel) and Isabelle Awald (a reserved but resolute Chava) are memorable.
They are enjoyably playful together and display nice harmonies on “Matchmaker, Matchmaker.” Walker has a heart-breaking and lovely solo on Hodel’s “Far From the Home I Love.”
As the timid Motel, Dylan Penyak is amusingly awkward. Max Wetherhold is bold and self-assured as the “radical” student Perchik, while Harrison Fox is a gentle and kind Fyedka.
Denise Long makes her Yenta, the matchmaker, a hilariously gossipy busy body and Ted Williams gives a warm impression as the beloved rabbi.
A funny highlight is “Tevye’s Dream” with memorable cameos by Cindy Ernst as Grandma Tzeitel and Katelyn Morgan as Fruma-Sarah.
Wons staging makes good use of the theater space with the spirits creeping down the steps during “Tevye’s Dream” and the ensemble stretching across the stage and up the steps in the wedding scene.
The large cast was great throughout, notably in numbers like the exuberant opening “Tradition.”
Camilla Bachman is outstanding as the eponymous fiddler and the 11-person band led by music director Chad Miller keeps everything moving.
The costumes are attractive and appropriate as designed by Brenda McGuire and Mina Price.
Oliveira’s set of rotating village huts worked well and lighting, especially in “Sabbath Prayer,” enhanced the show.
There will be a special performance at 5 p.m. on July 4 that is pay-what-you-will.
The July 4 performance also will have the Caribbean Noodles Food Truck on site at 3:30 p.m. before the show.
Tickets are $25 for adults; $15 for seniors and $10 for students.
Performances are 7:30 p.m. June 28-29, July 3, 5, 6; 2 p.m. June 30 and July 7, and 5 p.m. July 4. For information, call 484-484-3412, or go to www.ncctix.org/.