'Fiddler on the Roof' Knocks the Roof off Bronxville; See Photos
By Parent Contributor
May 4, 2016: There is good reason Pamela Simpson decided to put on this musical with fifty Bronxville Middle Schoolers April 29 and 30.
Through this story we can appreciate and hopefully empathize with the plight of refugees fleeing violence in their homelands. It’s also an important musical for middle school students, as they are also searching for the place where they fit in.
And it is because it's performed by teens and children who show great talent and sensitivity that this show stands out.
It honors the story's timeless exuberance but adds an innocence and lightheartedness, expressed beautifully in the central character of the Jewish milkman Tevye, played with heart-racing force by Jacoby Goodson, who lives in Anatevka, a small Russian village in the early 20th century. He is faced with the ultimate threat of an eroding family and community and social traditions that have kept his feet firmly on the ground, all while interacting and making jokes with his uninvolved God.
This show is directed by Pamela Simpson (the high school musical and vocal director) with a brilliant touch. She has taken a group of students and magically formed them into a formidable cast that brings us flawlessly and emotionally back--far away from our little village of Bronxville--to another small village, over a century ago, with moments of joy and heart-stopping drama.
The strength of character of people faced with tremendous challenges is exemplified by the character of Golde, Tevye's wife, played powerfully and beautifully by Esther Devitt. She and her five daughters, most notably Tzeitel, played by Sofia Ricciarini, Hodel, played by Alice O'Connell, and Chava, played by Olivia Conniff, belt out their songs with such great emotion and heart that bumps the size of grapefruit appear on your arms.
This show brings us way up when Motel, the penniless village tailor, played with such strength and virtue by Bjorn Samios, asks Tevye for his daughter's hand in marriage because, with courage, he states that "even a tailor deserves some happiness."
The depth of the story takes us into many different topics, several of which have been hotly debated recently in the elections, and on this stage most eloquently and with a classical theatrical performance by George Cooney, who brilliantly plays the young radical Perchik.
The cast and crew performed well beyond their years and could well draw crowds during a summer revival if this ever was planned. The young talents were too many to name here and many of them will shine in the years ahead. Other notable performances included Isaiah Weir as the Rabbi, Ella Crawford as Yente the match maker, Max Laval as Lazar Wolf, Elania Poulos as Grandma Tzeitel, and Lorelei Heath, who plays a bone-shaking Fruma Sarah. And the crew pulled it all off with great dexterity and deft.
“It has been such an absolute joy to work with these students,” Simpson said. “Their professionalism, dedication, and hard work have been evident since our first interest meeting. They have all been so kind and supportive of one another and it’s beautiful to witness.”
Taking the helm as vocal director this year is Bronxville graduate Hannah Geiling. Charlie Diserens, also a Bronxville graduate, was the crew and technical director, while Jason Summers is returning for his second season as choreographer.
As part of the theater experience, Simpson said they’ve been holding workshops to teach students how technology plays a role in theater. The students have been empowered to use the new sound and lighting systems in the auditorium to bring a new level of professionalism and excellence to their work.
“The beauty of Fiddler is its simplicity,” Simpson said. “There are no revolving stages or pyrotechnics. We follow the lives of the people in the village of Anatevka and, in the end, we hope our vision of the story leaves you holding those dear to you a little closer.”
That it most certainly did.
Cast
Fiddler Amelia Bornman
Tevye Jacoby Goodson
Golde Esther Devitt
Tzeitel Sofia Ricciarini
Hodel Alice O'Connell
Chava Olivia Conniff
Bielke Gianna Vigorito
Shprintze Elizabeth Burnell
Yente Ella Crawford
Motel Bjorn Samios
Perchik George Cooney
Lazar Wolf Max Laval
To see photos of the actors, click here:
https://flickr.com/photos/32467198@N03/sets/72157665378803624
Pictured here: Jacoby Goodson as Tevye and Esther Devitt as Golde singing "Do you love me?" from Fiddler on the Roof.
Photos by Scott Goodson
Restaurant & Food Guide
Blue Hill at Stone Barns
630 Bedford Road
Pocantico Hills, New York
914-366-9600
www.bluehillfarm.com
Copper Kettle Cafe serves up American farm-to-table comfort foods and artfully crafted cocktails in a rustic and homey, yet sophisticated, venue. They also have outdoor dining.
201 E. Hartsdale Avenue
Hartsdale, New York
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914-723-1065
Dolphin
Dolphin Restaurant, Bar and Lounge has maximum waterfront dining on the Hudson River. They have a delicious summer menu and speciality drinks. Their more casual sister restaurant, Hudson Cafe, is also next door.
1 van Der Donck Street
Yonkers, New York
914-751-8170
www.dolphinrbl.com
Eastchester Fish Gourmet
Eastchester Fish Gourmet is a restaurant and fish market located in Scarsdale, New York.
837 White Plains Road
Scarsdale, New York 10583
914-725-3450
www.eastchesterfish.com
Irish Gastro Pub with wood-fired pizza. It also has a Cocktail Menu.
219 Main Street, Eastchester
914-752-7650
Article about summer dining that includes Jack's
Fresh and creative seafood dishes in a bistro atmosphere. Indoor and outdoor dining.
143 Parkway Road, Bronxville
914-337-5100
Pete's Park Place Tavern
This comfy veteran tavern has been serving beers, burgers & other pub fare since 1937.
18-20 Park Pl, Bronxville, NY 10708
(914) 337-9887
Rebeccas
American
265 Glenville Road
Greenwich, CT
203-532-9270
The Melting Pot
American
30 Mamaroneck Avenue (Next to CVS)
White Plains, NY 10601
www.meltingpot.com
Underhill’s Crossing
Underhills Crossing Restaurant is a great place to meet family or friends for a lite bite, an incredible raw bar & shellfish tower assortment, or a full meal offering seasonal farm fresh ingredients.
74 ½ Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-1200
www.underhillscrossing.com
Haiku
Pan Asian
56 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-5601
Chinese cuisine. Stylish setting with classic decor.
361 N Central Ave, Hartsdale, NY
Wild Ginger
Pan Asian
10 Park Place
Bronxville, New York 10708
Nutmeg
Nutmeg, readily convenient on Main Street in Tuckahoe, serves delicious scones, muffins, tea and short breads, pies, cakes, cookies and a host of savory items. Come into their cheery store, grab a goodie and enjoy a cup of really good coffee or tea. Nutmeg also provides their food items to local caterers and restaurants
64 Main Street. Tuckahoe
914-779-1328
Bistros
Bxv Food Fine Catering
Bxv Food Fine Catering caters for sit-down dinners, luncheons, cocktail parties or buffets. bxvFood can provide unique food, excellent service and inviting ambiance, attending to all of the details, leaving you free to enjoy your guests. bxvFood serves Southern Westchester, Southwestern Conn. and New York city with 80% of his catering done right here in Bronxville's square mile. Two to three weeks advance notice is preferred for booking a date. Their specialty and most rewarding meal is a seven-course, seasonal sit-down dinner served in your home for 6-12 guests.
Eastchester Fish Gourmet Catering To Go
Glorious Food of New York
504 East 74th Street
New York, New York
www.gloriousfood.com
212-628-2320
Le Moulin Event Planning & Catering, Ltd.
Le Moulin caters the "Simplest To The Most Elegant Affair," and brings comprehensive event planning experience and attention to every detail which includes Events, Weddings, Corporate Events, Special Affairs and Event Venues. The food is always of high quality, colorful and artistically presented. Corporate clients include leaders in a variety of industries, political associations, the arts and a host of other business and private patrons
Lange's of Bronxville
Lange's of Bronxville is a homestyle delicatessen nestled in Bronxville. For over 3 decades, Lange's has proudly offered an authentic deli and catering experience, serving freshly prepared breakfast, lunch and dinner favorites that keep our customers coming back for more.
Opa Opa Fresh Greek.
New casual and friendly Greek restaurant serving fresh homemade specialties in a light and airy setting. Order for Take-Out…call 914-600-8129 for delivery on Uber Eats or Door Dash.
GREEK
116 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, NY 10708
914-600-8129
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Italian restaurant and brick oven pizza
97 Lake Avenue, Tuckahoe
914-779-7944
Ciao
5-7 Albanese Place
Eastchester, NY
914-779-4646
An Italian Bistro in the heart of Scarsdale.
808 Scarsdale Avenue, Scarsdale
914-722-0808
Harvest on Hudson
Harvest on Hudson's menu is based on the traditional cuisine of Italy.
1 River Street • Hastings, NY 10706
(914) 478-2800
Il Bacio Trattoria
Pizzas, pastas & homemade gelato draw crowds to this no-frills, family-friendly Italian eatery.
Italian
1 Park Place, Bronxville, NY 10708
914-337-4100
Delicious Italian food prepared with great care and served in a vibrant, modern Italian setting. Do private events. Best of Westchester “Best New Restaurant” in 2019. It was also awarded the Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand Award in 2020.
11 Huguenot St,
New Rochelle, NY 10801
(914) 636-0006
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Rosie’s Bistro Italiano
10 Palmer Avenue
Bronxville, New York
914-793-2000
Sapori of Scarsdale
A handsome new restaurant serving unique and interesting authentic flavors of Italy, with a new lunch, bar and children’s menu that has both indoor and outdoor café dining.
Mediterranean
2 Chase Road
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914-874-5316
Scalini Osteria
Scalini's mission is "to serve delicious, regionally-inspired Italian food that highlights both the simplicity and new age complexity of the country."
Italian
65 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York
914-337-4935
Terra Ristorante Italiano
Italian
156 Greenwich Avenue
203-628-5222
Tredici Social
Italian
Tredici Social serves contemporary Italian food with a modern flair
104 Kraft Avenue
Bronxville, New York
914-793-1313
Wood Fired Pizza & Vinoteca
2 Garth Road, Scarsdale
914-556-6464
La Casa Bronxville
7 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, NY 10708
(914)222-9016
Contemporary Mexican cuisine, artisanal cocktails and a menu rooted in the traditions and flavors of Mexican cuisine.
We source the freshest and most flavorful ingredients from Mexico as well as local farms of the Hudson Valley.
Our vibrant indoor dining room and bar are chic and spacious with an upscale casual feel and comfy atmosphere.
Covered outdoor dining has spacious booths, with an individual heater above each table, cozy blankets and cushions.
Wednesday - Sunday 5pm - 10pm
Sundays: Family Night with a specially menu for niños.
Fridays: Happy Hour 4.30pm - 6.00pm
Reservations for indoor and outdoor seating.
Bar area is first come-first serve.
Italian restaurant and brick oven pizza
97 Lake Avenue, Tuckahoe
914-779-7944
5 John R. Albanese Place, Eastchester
914-779-4646
131 Parkway Road, Bronxville
914-337-1901
1 Park Place, Bronxville
914-337-4100
50 Pondfield Rd W, Bronxville
914-961-7460
102 Fisher Avenue, Eastchester
914-961-0061
29 Columbus Avenue, Tuckahoe
914-961-3175
Via Forno
Wood Fired Pizza & Vinoteca
2 Garth Road, Scarsdale
914-556-6464
Ladle of Love
Ladle of Love dishes out delicious soups, sandwiches, salads, wraps, hand crafted meals and rotating daily specials. They also have a Meal Plan Program that is personalized for individuals or families, offering daily or weekly meals which can be customized to dietary preferences and needs.
18 Palmer Avenue, Bronxville
914.346-8883 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Dobbs & Bishop Fine Cheese
Owned by Bronxville's own Ruth Walter and Kevin McNeill, Dobbs & Bishop Fine Cheese carries traditional varieties of cheese such as manchego, camembert and Irish Cheddar as well as other varieties from a half dozen countries. They also sell specialty breads, baguettes, scones, croissants, olive rye batard and other varieties provided by French baker, Balthazar. Gift baskets and party platters are available to order. It is also a go to destination for lunch for the school children offering the mac and cheese, grilled cheese sandwiches on white or multi-grain bread and yummy lemonade.
107 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-361-1770
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