Playing at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia Oct. 23–28, the limited engagement of Fiddler on the Roof was an exciting opportunity to see one of my childhood favorites again, but for the first time on stage. It had been a while since I saw the film, my only reference to the show, so the live performances held a few surprises.

The strong themes of family, faith and tradition play out in father-daughter relationships, husband-wife relationships and complicated layers of conflicting new and old values at the core of the story. It’s easy to see why this performance is so ingrained in my memory as a family favorite. There’s a mix of light-hearted fun and real, heart-warming emotional moments.

You may already know the songs like “Tradition,” “Matchmaker, Matchmaker” and “Sunrise Sunset,” but to see them performed live is another story. Some dance numbers stood out in the live performance for me, like an epic dance showdown in the tavern and the darkly funny dream sequence.

The entire show runs just under three hours and the two acts are divided not quite halfway, but definitely displaying two completely different emotional tones. The first act is funny, heartwarming, light and genuinely sweet, all building to the emotional changes found in the second act.

With the Academy of Music venue seating just less than 2,600 guests, it’s easy to see all the incredible, ornate details of the theater, from the old-fashioned, narrow balcony seats to the rich, opulent designs around the stage.

Directed by Bartlett Sher, Tony Award winner for South Pacific, 2008; Drama Desk Award winner for Fiddler on the Roof, 2016 and South Pacific, 2008; and Outer Critics Circle Award for South Pacific, 2008 and My Fair Lady, 2018, Fiddler on the Roof seems to be in good company.