Fiddler on the Roof- Toronto
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Harvey Fierstein
MissMcCrocodile — 16 years ago(December 08, 2009 09:10 PM)
Just attended the opening night of "Fiddler" with Harvey stepping in at the last minute (well, 4 weeks notice) for Topol. It was so incredibly wonderful!!!! I've never seen Harvey live before, the man is an amazing actor. Why was I at all surprised? I know the show pretty well, but was moved to tears many times. A talented cast, led by Harvey and Susan Cella as Golda. Special mention to Jamie Davis as Hodel. Such a beautiful voice.
If you're in the Toronto area, don't miss it! At The Canon Theatre until Jan. 10.
Yes, sir, I'm going to do nothing like she's never been done before! -
mrsrobinson-2 — 16 years ago(December 11, 2009 06:39 AM)
I have to wonder if MissMcCrocodile is not an employee of Mirvish Productions. I saw the same production last night in Toronto and it was painful. I have seen Harvey in movies (loved him in Mrs. Doubtfire) but didn't know his name. If I had made the connection that's who it was that was replacing Topol I would have absolutely exchaged or tried to sell my tickets. If you love the movie adaptation of this story, do not bother to see Harvey as Tevye. It is the worst case of casting ever. You might as well cast Pee Wee Herman as Mufasa.
I was never more excited to see a production as when I heard Topol was coming to Toronto in his signature role. I was terribly disappointed when he was injured, but I've seen many Mirvish productions and was confident it would still be a good show. I was so looking forward to hearing someone belt out "If I Were a Rich Man" and feeling those chills.
Not only can Harvey Fierstein not sing a note, it's like listening to nails on a blackboard. He butchered every song in the show (except the ones where the rest of the cast was singing over himwhich were a blessing). Not only that, his delivery of classic lines was almost an afterthought, and his tempo was off. To see him raise his poor excuse for a voice in anger and frustration to the other characters was like watching a toddler with laryngitis have a tantrum.
Even meek and mild Motel has no reason to fear Harvey's flamboyant Tevye. In the attempt to make the role his own, he made a mockery of it. The actor playing Lazar has played Tevye before and would have been a much preferred choice over Harvey. The decision to cast a big name instead of a better match for Topol was a huge mistake.
The rest of the cast was fine, but in my opinion still not the best I've seen. Granted, I am sure having to perform next to this man, knowing the audience was grating on every word he uttered, could not have been easy. Still, the pace felt rushed and I would have rather seen another scene dropped or shortened 1354than feel like they're rushing through the numbers. It was the only performance I've been to in Toronto where there was no standing ovation given.
Save your money, sell your tickets or demand an exchange for them. -
MissMcCrocodile — 16 years ago(December 11, 2009 08:03 PM)
No, not an employee of Mirvish. Just an extremely pleased audience member. I agree, Harvey is definately not a singer, but he is an amazing actor. True, no chills for "Rich Man", but I was moved by his delivery of those "classic lines". Honestly, I laughed and cried even tho I know the show well. I did not think his "tempo was off". Different strokes
BTW- Don't know where you were sitting, but there was a standing O from the floor crowd. No, not grabbing their coats and rushing to the exit, but real cheers.
Hope you like your next show better.
Yes, sir, I'm going to do nothing like she's never been done before! -
dangerdog56 — 15 years ago(May 27, 2010 01:00 AM)
Everything you said is so true. We just walked out of the Seattle show 5/27/10. Horrible disappointment.
I can't remember looking forward to show so much before. We actually bought the season so we could get decent seats to see Topol (we gave those other shows away to friends).
When we bought the tickets, Topol was on the bill, I was shocked to see this idiot on the billboard. Talk about bait and switch.
We just got home from our all day excursion to Seattle and back. Don't even want to count up what we spent to see this show only to walk out. OMG, such a waste. If you love the movie, forget it.. -
spider_manus270 — 15 years ago(May 30, 2010 10:07 PM)
My dad and I went to the S2000eattle show on May 30th 2010 and walked out at intermission. We were in miserable pain for an hour and 45 minutes. Harvey can't sing worth crap and can't act either! I was ready to go within the first few minutes. The other cast was fine and the set design was great but Harvey just ruined this amazing musical with his talentless portrayal. DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME OR MONEY!