One of the world’s best-loved musicals, the memorable and uplifting Fiddler on the Roof, will open at Church Hill Theatre on June 10. CHT’s accomplished Sylvia Maloney directs this saga of love, tradition and change in the lives of Tevye and his family in the Tsarist village of Anatevka. The original 1964 Broadway production was the first musical to run more than 3000 performances, and won an extraordinary nine Tony Awards. With numerous revivals (currently running on Broadway for $120 and up), a film version nominated for eight Oscars, and translation into dozens of languages, the longevity of Fiddler is proof that Sholem Aleichem’s simple story about Jewish villagers has universal appeal. The music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick and book by Joseph Stein bring us unforgettable tunes such as “Tradition,” “If I Were a Rich Man,” “Sunrise, Sunset,” and many more instantly recognizable songs.
Maloney has assembled a cast of twenty-seven local actors, singers and dancers to bring Anatevka “To Life” on the CHT stage. Choreographer Cavin Moore, pianist Judith Miller and Youth Stage Managers Morgan Armstrong and Katie Sardo with mentor Shannon Whitaker will help to organize the complex production, which features a live orchestra conducted by Music Director Matt Davis.
Herb Ziegler plays the milkman Tevye, the driving force of the story. Debra Ebersole, Kristi McNiece, Becca Van Aken, Grace McCreary, Maya McGrory and Lindsay McCowan portray his wife and five daughters, around whom the action revolves. 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.” There is even a Fiddler on the roof: choreographer Cavin Moore!
Chorus members who will fill the streets of Anatevka include Will Covington, Jim Johnson, Jusden Messick, Elliott Morotti, Bryce Sullivan, Stefan Tisdale, Kylie Sommer, Kelly Ostazeski, and Alyson Farnell.
Mark your calendars—Fiddler on the Roof runs from June 10 to 26, with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and on Sundays at 2 pm. Call the CHT office at 410-556-6003 or visit the website www.churchhilltheatre.org for details and reservations, which are strongly recommended for this show.
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