One of the world’s best-loved musicals Fiddler on the Roof, currently a Tony-nominated revival on Broadway, will give its final three performances at Church Hill Theatre on June 24 to June 26. Directed by Sylvia Maloney, this classic musical tells the story of love, tradition and change in the lives of Tevye and his family in the Tsarist village of Anatevka in the Ukraine of Russia. Based on the short stories of Sholem Aleichem, Fiddler relates the lives of Jewish Shtetl villagers in the early 1900’s. The music is written by Jerry Bock, book by Joseph Stein, and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, a recent recipient of a Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement. Such memorable songs as “Tradition,” “If I Were a Rich Man,” “Sunrise, Sunset,” and “Sabbath Prayer” enhance the plot and explore the customs and emotions of the people of Anatevka.
Maloney has assembled a cast of twenty-seven local actors, singers and dancers to bring Anatevka “To Life.” Choreographer Cavin Moore, pianist Marie Harrison and Stage Managers Morgan Armstrong, Jared McLean and Katie Sardo, along with their mentor Shannon Whitaker, will help Maloney organize the complex production featuring a live orchestra conducted by Music Director Matt Davis.
Herb Ziegler plays the milkman Tevye, who Peter Heck of the Kent County News states, “captures the character’s joy and sorrows, his introspection and exuberance, with equal felicity… [and] infectious zest.” Debra Ebersole, Kristi McNiece, Becca Van Aken, Grace McCreary, Maya McGrory and Lindsay McCowan portray his wife and five daughters. Mark Wiening, Matt Folker, Robert Branning and John Beck play the daughters’ suitors. Kathy Jones is the matchmaker Yente, Caleb McNiece is the Russian constable, Bob Chauncey is the innkeeper, Michael Whitehill is the village Rabbi, and Heather Joyce-Byers and Jean Leverage play characters in Tevye’s “nightmare.” And there is a real fiddler on the roof: Cavin Moore.
Chorus members playing other Anatevka residents include Will Covington, Jim Johnson, Jusden Messick, Elliott Morotti, Bryce Sullivan, Stefan Tisdale, Kylie Sommer, Kelly Ostazeski, and Alyson Farnell.
Final performances of Fiddler on the Roof are Friday and Saturday at 8 pm and on Sunday at 2 pm on June 24, 25 and 26. Call the box office at 410-556-6003 or visit the website www.churchhilltheatre.org for details and reservations, which are strongly advised for this show—Sunday’s performance is already sold out!
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