This winter, A.C.T. of CT will produce Fiddler On The Roof, directed by Artistic Director Daniel C. Levine. As is typical for Levine, this will not be the “usual or expected” production. Levine’s concept is unique: all actors will remain on stage at all times, even when not featured in a scene. This collective “bearing witness” underscores the characters’ shared experiences and the interconnectedness of their stories. By keeping all actors on stage, Levine emphasizes that each individual’s journey is part of a larger communal narrative, reflecting the village’s collective struggles and triumphs. This approach heightens the emotional impact and makes the themes of tradition, resilience, and change more resonant for contemporary audiences.
Levine recalls, “Judaism was integral to my upbringing. My grandfather was a cantor at a synagogue, and our family owned a Kosher butcher shop. While belief in God wasn’t forced upon me, Jewish culture and traditions were deeply ingrained in our lives. Like many Jewish children, I attended Hebrew School until my Bar Mitzvah at 13 and spent summers at a Jewish overnight camp. When I was 16, I visited Israel and worked on a kibbutz, further deepening my connection to my Jewish heritage.
Friday nights were often spent at my grandparents’ house for Shabbat dinner. My grandmother cherished Jewish traditions, like lighting Shabbat candles and baking challah; rituals that became a significant part of my identity. My great-grandparents escaped pogroms in Odessa, Russia, and came to America. My great-grandfather, Joseph Lipovsky, later changed to Lipoff at Ellis Island, escaped with a suitcase and a sewing machine. He settled in Boston and sent money to bring family members to America. Knowing my great-grandparents and hearing them speak Yiddish, Russian, and broken English deepened my connection to my Jewish roots.
The phrase ‘always remember, never forget,’ often repeated by my grandparents and taught in Hebrew School, is associated with the Holocaust. It reminds us to honor the millions of Jews and others who perished during the genocide by the Nazis in World War II. The Holocaust claimed the lives of six million Jews and millions of others. ‘Never forget’ is a commitment to remembering the Holocaust’s atrocities, honoring the victims, and ensuring such horrors are never repeated. It is a pledge to educate future generations about the dangers of hatred, discrimination, and genocide.
Growing up Jewish, I vividly remember the profound impact of seeing photos and films of the Holocaust. These haunting images were powerful reminders of the immense suffering endured by my Jewish ancestors. They instilled a deep appreciation for the resilience of the Jewish people and a commitment to preserving our collective memory as a shield against hatred and bigotry. While these images were a bit traumatic, they reinforced the importance of ‘never forgetting.’
Seeing a production of Fiddler On The Roof as a teenager deeply moved me. It was as if my family’s story was being told on stage. Watching Fiddler helped cement the stories I had heard as a child and filled me with pride in my Jewish heritage.
‘Bearing witness’ is a concept deeply rooted in Jewish tradition. It involves acknowledging, remembering, and retelling the stories of Jewish suffering, particularly during the Holocaust, to preserve memory, honor the victims, and prevent future atrocities. Bearing witness is a solemn duty and sacred obligation within Jewish culture. This concept is central to my approach to storytelling in Fiddler On The Roof. By keeping actors on stage at all times, I aim to establish a sense of communal witnessing and collective memory. This story is not just about the characters in each scene; it’s about the entire community grappling with upheaval and resilience. Through this artistic choice, I hope to foster unity, solidarity, and shared responsibility among both the characters and the audience, enriching our exploration of this important musical.” •
