A near-flawless rendition of Fiddler on the Roof earned standing ovations for the drama students of Cochrane High School during a packed final performance Saturday night.
The exploration of love, loyalty, freedom and tradition – infused with its dry wit and raw perspective on Russian life at the turn of the century – makes Fiddler one of the most enduring musicals of all time, and Cochrane High School paid writer Joseph Stein the highest compliment by performing it with integrity and style.
A group of about 40 youth worked for months on all technical and creative aspects of the student-led production, coming together for four nights of performances last week.
Jason Rude carried the narrative as Tevye, the father of five girls battling with himself over whether to steadfastly honour tradition or move forward from his long-held beliefs for the sake of his forward-thinking daughters.
Rude was simply fearless in his performance. His bold physicality, crisp comic timing and curmudgeonly ways made it near to impossible to imagine there was a teenager behind the bent shoulders and the wiry beard.
Shay Schartner and Aiden Rowe charmed each other and the audience with their innocent portrayals of eldest daughter Tzietel and her paramour, Motel – and while most of the cast had strong voices, Sydney Green’s smooth solos as sister Hodel celebrated her intrinsic, born-with-it talent.
Devyn Byfield held firm as Golde, the rigid and loveless wife of Tevye, yet let down her guard during one of the most intimate moments of the play when she and Rude teased out marital obligation in the song Do you love me?
The vertical bed that illustrated Tevye’s dream sequence was a stroke of set design genius, and Simone Eeles – while only taking the stage for a few minutes – electrified as the squealing and jealous spirit of Fruma-Sarah.
Finally, Cochrane High’s orchestra provided the live soundtrack for the musical, a professional touch that added depth and richness to the evening.
As the standing ovations at the end of the night proved, every member of the cast and crew contributed to making the show a success.
