‘Fiddler’ Sticks With Tradition : La Habra Community Theatre’s approach is generally safe and straightforward, though it does take a few chances.

LA HABRA —  The La Habra Community Theatre’s “Fiddler on the Roof,” while clumsy at times, does manage to evoke the cultural flavor and homey good spirits of this popular show.

Director Phyllis B. Gitlin knows something about the importance of atmosphere, especially to a musical, and her staging has nicely visual stretches. While the approach is generally safe and straightforward, she does take a chance every now and then, as in the rambunctious dream sequence in Tevye and Golde’s bedroom near the end of the second act.

Gitlin is fortunate to have Todd Faux’s set, a revolving series of scenery that depicts the kitchen, bedroom and exterior of Tevye’s home and the local tavern and tailor’s shop, among other environs. It’s well-crafted and ambitious, especially by community theater standards.

Ever since the musical by Jerry Bock (music), Sheldon Harnick (lyrics) and Joseph Stein (book) premiered on Broadway in 1964, it has depended on a yeoman’s performance by whomever plays Tevye. It is mainly through this character, after all, that we see how the Jewish village of Anatevka reacts to persecution and the changing times that threaten tradition.

At La Habra, George Sullivan’s Tevye isn’t as charismatic as he could be; he doesn’t dominate the small stage or pull us along as the story unfolds. But there is a bighearted sway to the portrayal that is pleasing, if not dynamic.

To the role of Tevye’s wife, the strong-willed Golde, Terri Miller Schmidt brings the requisite spunk without making the character too much of a nag.

On the downside, the La Habra Depot Playhouse’s size works against it, underscoring the problem of trying to stage musicals in small spaces: What can pass for intimacy with a drama or a comedy may come across as claustrophobia with a musical. Larry Watts’ choreography seems to suffer from the cramped quarters.

‘FIDDLER ON THE ROOF’

A La Habra Community Theatre production of the musical by Joseph Stein, Sheldon Harnick and Jerry Bock. Directed by Phyllis B. Gitlin. With George Sullivan, Terri Miller Schmidt, Rose Marston, Cindy Daytona, Sharon Korn, Mandy Kay, Missy Kay, Carla Heller, Brian Harvey, Jim Goodrich, Raun Imperial, Barry Wendell, Nolan Ballin, Kent Harrell, Michael Ungerleider, Dave Fabros, Deanna Wildt, Katie Zerga, Roger Angress, Peter Uribe, Gwendolyn McClure, Tim Goodman, Vincent Aniceto, Lauren Spicer and Alain Vinya. Sets by Todd Faux. Choreography by Larry Watts. Costumes by Clara Hermeir. Music by Timothy B. Harrison. Plays Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. through June 22 with a 2:30 matinee on Sunday, June 23, at 311 S. Euclid St., La Habra. Tickets: $6 and $8. (213) 905-9708.