Fiddler on the Roof

I've been meaning to post about this for the last week, but haven't had time.

About a week ago I went to see a touring production of Fiddler on the Roof, featuring Topol in the role of Tevye. My first thought when I heard that Topol was in the production was: wait, he's still alive? The movie version of Fiddler on the Roof came out in 1971, and I had assumed Topol was at least middle aged at that point. But I had assumed wrong - he was only 30 when the movie was shot, which stunned me. He is now 74, so he probably won't be performing that much more. Though, in spite of the fact that this is being touted as "Topol's farewell tour", Topol himself said in an interview that he'll be performing until he's physically incapable of it.

Given Topol's age, I wasn't sure how much to expect from it but was excited to go see him perform nonetheless. And he was fabulous! It occurred to me when I was watching that Tevye really could be pretty much any age from about 45 years old on, and though Topol played him as a pretty old Tevye, he was far more physical in the role than I expected someone in their 70's to be - dancing just as much and as well as the rest of the cast. I was duly impressed, and am really glad I went to see it.

After the show, I started wondering how much Topol's characterization of Tevye has changed over the years. I want to go back and rewatch the movie, which the play is still fresh in my mind, to see. I haven't yet, but I pulled up some clips from youTube. Based on the clips, I was surprised at how much his characterization hasn't changed. Even at the age of 30, Topol played a very old Tevye, and he played an old man really well.

The tour is going to be hitting a bunch of cities. So if you were a fan of the movie version of Fiddler, I highly recommend this stage production if it comes to your area.

Wrong Way Idiot

One more post, then I'm going to bed..

This morning, when I was on my way back from running some errands, I was almost hit head-on by a car going the wrong way on Portland Avenue - a one-way street near where I live. I have seen people going the wrong way there before, but they're usually in the process of figuring out their mistake - slowing down and looking confused. The little old lady behind the wheel of this car did not appear to be confused, she appeared to be completely fucking oblivious. She was going pretty fast - I'd estimate about 40 mph. Which, it is a 35 mph street, but only if you're going the right direction! I saw her coming about a block away, and started slowing to try to get over. The lady going the wrong way, on the other hand, didn't slow at all. I almost wasn't able to get over in time, but someone in the next lane noticed what was happening and hit their brakes to let me in. Me and at least two other cars blared our horn at her, but she still didn't slow!

I was hepped on adrenaline at that point, and was about to go into a serious anxiety attack, so I pulled over to collect my nerves and watched her speed at least ten blocks without slowing or flinching. I wasn't sure whether to call the cops - on the one hand she was very clearly a danger, on the other hand it's unlikely they'd get there in time to do anything about her. The street goes on about another twenty blocks after that, and at the rate she was going she'd make pretty short work of that if she didn't catch any lights. The street was, fortunately, pretty empty behind me, and I hadn't been able to get her license or really even the make of her car, so I didn't think I'd be able to give the cops much to go on, so I didn't call. But I feel like I didn't do the right thing; I really hope she didn't hit anyone.