Are they going to pull it off? Or are those wine bottles going to fall?
That's a question that may be on the minds of more than a few who hold their breaths while watching actors perform the "Bottle Dance" number in the musical Fiddler on the Roof.
In Wednesday's opener of the Argenta Community Theater production in North Little Rock, the three dancers pulled it off. Whew.
The rest of the cast members pulled off their performances too, and quite ably.
Michael Henderson shone as milkman Tevye, the wisecracking central character who often kvetches to God about his plight and who tries to remain true to tradition, but finds himself forced into change ... time and time again. Monica Clark-Robinson was his perfect foil as Tevye's smart-alecky wife, Golde; the two actors kept the audience in stitches with their recreation of a 1905 Russian Jewish version of The Honeymooners' Ralph and Alice Kramden.
Brooke Ault, Hailey Weiner and Casey Labbate were endearing as Tevye's three oldest daughters -- Tzeitel, Hodel and Chava, respectively -- who caused some real "Maalox moments" for their father because of their choices in marriage partners. D. Brent Miller, Garrett Houston and Jeremiah Elliott are just as likable as the lads who become the girls' husbands -- Motel, Perchik and Fyedka, respectively. And although their lines were limited, Halo Skinner and and Grace Pitts were each a delight as Shprintze and Bielke, the two youngest daughters.
Best moments included Tevye's exchange with elderly, wealthy butcher Lazar Wolfe (Eric Harrison), who sought Tzeitel's hand in marriage; Henderson and Harrison effectively turned the scene into a cross between a Carol Burnett Show skit and an Abbott and Costello routine. The best musical work came with what may be the production's best-known number -- "Matchmaker, Matchmaker" -- as well as the opening number, "Tradition," "If I Were a Rich Man," "Sabbath Prayer" and "Do You Love Me." Mishaps, which included a missed note here and there and an uncooperative head scarf in one scene, were very few.
The show runs through Sunday. Those interested in ticket information can call (501) 353-1571.
Metro on 07/24/2014