Review: ‘Fiddler: Miracle of Miracles’ an insightful celebration of a beloved classic

Roadside Attractions, 2019.

The infectious and inspiring story behind the beloved musical, "Fiddler on the Roof" is now in select theaters.

Grade: B+

You don't have to have seen or experienced "Fiddler on the Roof" to enjoy the new documentary, "Fiddler: Miracle of Miracles," but if you haven't, you'll want to by the end. The Broadway production, which first opened in 1964, won nine Tony Awards, with music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick (and based on the book by Joseph Stein, which was in turn based on tales from the famous Jewish author, Sholem Aleichem). But the story, set in imperial Russia at the turn of the century, about a father and his five head-strong daughters, seems like an unlikely one to have amassed such universal appeal.

You get to hear the tales behind the music (classics like "Sunrise, Sunset," "If I Were a Rich Man," "Matchmaker, Matchmaker" and "Tradition" to name a few), as well as the story behind the lyrics and the story's origins, via interviews from actors, writers, authors, musicians and many more who had been impacted by or otherwise influenced by Fiddler. And who better to tell such stories than Sheldon Harnick himself, who at age 95, appears in this doc and who still can't believe that Fiddler has become what it has become. There's even an interview with Mr. Hamilton himself, LIn-Manuel Miranda, as he talks about the play's tremendous influence on himself personally.

It's a comprehensive, well-done and joyful documentary that celebrates a classic, and tries to bring context to why it is so beloved, across cultures, classes, ages and even languages. "Fiddler: Miracle of Miracles" should not have been a big hit, but there is no "Sunset" in sight when it comes to this timeless tale.

Grade: B+

Genre: Documentary, Musical.
Run Time: 1 hour 32 minutes.
Rated PG-13.

Directed by Max Lewkowicz ("Underfire: The Untold Story of Pfc. Tony Vaccaro").

"Fiddler: Miracle of Miracles" opens in select theaters on Friday, August 30th, 2019.