The Orange Curtain Review

Written by Patrick Chavis 

Family, tradition, and moral values –no matter what culture or religion you subscribe too –these things matter. They appear in the Bible, the Torah, the Quran, and in many more religious and cultural traditions all over the world. The stories may be different, but many of the lesson are very much the same.  Aldergate Church in Tustin, California –a Methodist church by association — putting on the most famous Jewish musical of all time, demonstrates their belief in this very concept.  Some may say it’s an odd choice, but Aldergate doesn’t think so. 

Photo Courtesy: Aldergate Church

A little history: Fiddler on the Roof was at one time the longest running show to hit Broadway for quite a while.  Fiddler’s long reign on the great white only lasted until Grease came along.  At the time Fiddler first came out, many people thought the production might be too Jewish for a mainstream audience and not Jewish enough for a Jewish one. Both were wrong –like any well written story —Fiddler straddled the line of being to appealing to all demographics while staying true to it’s Jewish roots.  The musical is based on a story written in the 1800’s about a Jewish dairyman man named Tevye who has six troublesome daughters. Continue Reading