Sunrise, Sunset

This was the number I danced with my father to, at my wedding. "Do you love me?" is a running joke between a really good friends parents. The rest of the songs are ones that I can sing from memory.

I have no idea the first time I saw Fiddler on the Roof (the movie) but I have always known it to be the story of my people - the story of my culture and past.

This past weekend, I took my parents (who were in town for the weekend) and my in-laws to see the musical at the Pantages Theater. Topol was playing the lead role. He truly is Tevye, garnering an Academy Award nomination for the movie version in 1971. He is a living legend.

The musical was terrific - although it was a bit difficult seeing someone else play Golde to Topol's Tevye. By the end of the 1st half, the difference didn't even phase me.

Being a Russian Jew and an immigrant, the story really resonates with me. How do you reconcile tradition, culture and faith with acceptance of all people? How do I teach my kids that it really would be better to marry someone Jewish (and preferably Russian) when I have so many friends of all different cultures and beliefs?

These were the things that were going through my mind during the show, and afterwords.

I didn't take my monkeys to this, but I think it's a great show for kids 11 and older (and depending on their maturity level, of course).

If you are Jewish, actually any immigrant, this is truly a musical you have to experience, even once. And with Topol in the lead role, he is the perfect actor to guide you through the story.

Dirty Dancing, The Musical

On Saturday I took my mom to see Dirty Dancing at the Pantages Theater in Los Angeles. It was her belated Mothers Day gift.

Truthfully, I had VERY LOW expectations for this show. I loved the movie and did not think that the musical could do the movie justice.

Boy was I wrong!! The musical was AMAZING!!

My background is that I have been involved with theater since I was a sophomore in high school, where I was on Stage Crew. During college, I stage managed, produced, back stage managed, etc... our college theater. I have seen plays and musicals in London, New York, San Francisco, Vegas and LA. I have had a passion for theater for the last 18 years.

Dirty Dancing, the musical, blew me away. It is FOR SURE in the top 5 musicals I have EVER seen. I can not say enough good things about it. And my reaction is NOT unique. Every person I talk to feels the same way, including my mother.

The sets - unbelievable. They were able to employee mediums I had never seen used in such unique ways. The rotating stage gave a three dimensional quality to the performance, that many times is lacking in stage shows. The way that they showed Baby and Johnny in the lake was unexpected and amazing.

The voices - unbelievably good. And strong. And powerful. The musical numbers were enhanced by the voices to the nth degree!

The dancing - WOW!! That is the only way to describe it. The dancing encompassed ballroom and free style. As in the movie, much of the story was told through dance, and what amazing dancing it was!! Maybe the best I have ever seen.

The acting - very good. The actress who plays baby really has the role down pat. The actor who plays Johnny has an AMAZING body. He is a very good actor (aside from trying VERY hard to get the American accent just right).

Overall, I would give the show an unequivocal 10!!

I would urge anyone who can get to the Pantages before the end of June to definitely see this show!!