In a bad year for new musicals, let's give a cheer for one Tradition renewed — this beautifully mounted Broadway revival of the Jerry Bock-Sheldon Harnick classic. Alfred Molina was a Tevye shorn of schtick but full of down-to-earth humanity (he's since been replaced by Harvey Fierstein — oy!), and David Leveuax's production embraces all the color, humor and poignance of Joseph Stein's book, one of the best of all musicals.
Come fly with us, and Leo, through the best (and worst) of 2004. Tops in the cinema this year include Scorsese's Howard Hughes biopic The Aviator. Elsewhere, Deadwood was good TV, and a Strange tale fascinated readers.