Anatevka Revisited!

Attempting to live a normal life filled with Jewish traditions in the small village of Anatevka, Russia in the late part of the 19th century, Tevye, a poor milkman, his wife, Golde, and their five daughters cope with the harsh realities under Tsarist rule, Tevye searches for appropriate husbands for his three eldest daughters – Tzeitle, Hodel, and Chava.

In break of tradition, his daughters refuse to accept the wishes of the matchmaker, Yentl, and their father. Instead they marry men that they love. And the drama begins!

A few weeks ago Dumaguete’s Prism Amateur Community Theater performed “Fiddler on the Roof” with all its wealth in history and ethnic detail: touched the two night sellout crowd at the Luce Auditorium of Silliman University with its humor, warmth and honesty. Its universal theme of tradition cuts across barriers of race, class, nationality and religion, left the usually staid Dumaguete audience crying tears of laughter, joy and sadness.

Singing some of the most memorable songs in musical history, including “Tradition”, “Matchmaker” and the unforgettable “If I Were a Rich Man” was dynamic tenor Dominator de los Santos, doing a Tevye like Zero Mostel did on Broadway, only better, a diva in the making Elaine Maravilla-Tonogbanua as Golde, Primy Joy Cane, Wowie Remata, Rexzel Rojo, Natalie Kolnes, and Carmela Pidor (she was the absolute doll) as Tzeitle, Hodel, Chava, Sphrintze and Bielke.

Yentl the Matchmaker was played by theater genius Evelyn Aldecoa, who produced, directed the “obra maestra” and gave all her soul and energy to the masterpiece.

The supporting roles: Motel played by Expidito Atoy Jr., Perchik – Micah Dagaerag, Lazer Wolfe – Toby Dichoso, Mordcha – Patrick Cha, Mendel – George Genove, Avram – Rosbert Salvoro, Nachum – Goldmark Indico, Grandma Tzeitle – Rayelynn Posadas, Feydka – Sam Managbanag, Shandel – Concepcion Sanson, Constable – Leon Medado and Fiddler Caroly Goitano were equally good and effective. Oy, but let me tell you, the surprise of the evening was “moi” as the Rabbi complete with Parkinson’s and all! “Such an actor I am!” Must be my Yiddish pre-life. The chorus of villagers and Russians were an added plus.

To the “Queen of Visayan Musical Theater” Evelyn Aldecoa and cast and crew, L’Chaim and a big Mazeltov!............................ Nous.