Sam Reynolds sums up his feelings for Tevye this way: l’chaim.
In Hebrew, that is the toast to life. Reynolds, like the famed character from “Fiddler On the Roof” — lives life with the joyful passion of a wealthy man whose treasure extends beyond material riches.
Reynolds plays Tevye in the Central Florida Lyric Opera production of “Fiddler On the Roof.” It will be presented April 7-8 at 2 and 7 p.m. in Savannah Center. The musical also stars Kathleen Kane. It is directed by Jacqueline Quirk from the New York City stage.
“I love this role and it’s a perfect role for me,” said Reynolds, whose gregarious personality and booming bass voice have become trademarks in The Villages. He sings with the Opera company and also in the choir of St. Timothy Catholic Church.
Reynolds has a lot in common with Tevye.
“In the musical, he has five daughters; I have four daughters,” Reynolds said. “I feel so much a part of the character because I know what he is going through as a father and a person. During some of the more dramatic scenes, I found myself weeping.”
There is also a kind of philosophical bond between the actor and the character.
“Tevye is a happy-go-lucky man,” Reynolds said. “He’s poor, but he’s happy. He finds strength in his family, his faith and his culture. This is a play about a Jewish family, but I think it reflects all faiths and cultures. It’s about people dealing with life and hard times, and finding a way to love each other and survive.”
Maestro Bill Doherty, producing the show, believes Reynolds is ideal for the role.
“Sam’s naturally jovial personality brings a delightfully lightheartedness to Tevye,” Doherty said. “For Sam, ‘Fiddler’ is a fitting platform to highlight his many years of singing and acting. His portrayal brings to light how people can find joy in life’s simplest pleasures, even in the most difficult times.”
The Israeli actor Topol, is best known for playing Tevye the Milkman on stage and in film. He was nominated for a Tony Award, and an Academy Award in the 1971 film version of “Fiddler.” He won a Golden Globe for best actor in the role. Here is a video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1TC1n9lhXU
“Fiddler” debuted on Broadway in 1964, with the music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick and book by Joseph Stein.
“The music is tremendous,” Reynolds said. “I feel so emotional singing these songs.”
The score includes such memorable numbers as: “If I Were A Rich Man” and “Sunrise Sunset.”
One of Reynolds’ major concerns is bringing authenticity to Jewish beliefs and culture.
“It is very humbling to do this role because I know it means so much to Jewish people,” Reynolds said. Tevye is a Jewish milkman in early 1900s Russia. “Playbill” described the plot this way: “how he sees his three eldest daughters married, each one moving further from traditional ways, and must cope with the growing anti-Jewish sentiment in his country.”
Reynolds said. Tevye has his daughters and family interest at heart, Reynolds said, although at times he goes against tradition and family wishes.
“He wants his daughters to have a better life,” Reynolds said. “Sometimes he can’t control what they will do, but he learns that’s the way life is. They have to follow their own path and every parent comes to that realization.”
Reynolds said he learned that lesson with his daughters: Rachel, Margaret, Laura and Kimberly. He also enjoys his grandson, Gabriel.
“The kid’s only 3 but he’s got a great voice, you should hear him yell,” Reynolds cracked.
Also in the cast, playing the daughters are: Alexandra Sexton, Victoria Sexton, Charlene Sexton, Sarah Burns, and Haley Dowsey.
Other actors include Angela Jones, Scotty Roberts, Jared Eggleston, David Martin, Hank Farrell, Larry Wallace, Elaine Stipetich, Angie Wiswesser, Chase DeCarlo, Florine Le Donne and Robert Tempesta.
