Fiddler on the Roof
Fiddler on the Roof
Springville Center for the Arts to open production November 14th
Photo / Springville Center for the Arts
SPRINGVILLE - Springville Center for the Arts announces their upcoming production of the beloved musical, Fiddler on the Roof, directed by Don Wesley, music direction by Doris Jones and choreography interpreted by Penny Wesley. This heartwarming tale of family and tradition will run for two weekends, opening on Thursday, November 14th at 7:00pm and closing on Sunday, November 24th at 2:00pm. Performances will be held in the newly renovated but not yet completed Carol Mongerson Theater at 37 North Buffalo Street, Springville.
Fiddler on the Roof is set in a Russian Jewish Village around 1905. Inspired by the Yiddish story, Tevye the Dairyman written by Sholem Aleichem, the musical follows Tevye (a milkman) and his family while they discover love’s triumph over tradition. During the course of the show, the time honored ideals of Anatevka are both embraced and challenged by Tevye and his colorful community, as they witness his daughters, Tzeitel, Hodel and Chava, grow up and fall in love in a time of extraordinary change. Fiddler on the Roof’s Broadway premier became the longest-running Broadway musical in history, a title it maintained for almost 10 years. This classic songbook is composed by Jerry Bock with Sheldon Harnick’s lyrics, and book by Joseph Stein.
The Carol Mongerson Theater recently reopened for use after a multi year period of renovations. The additions provide critical theater support spaces for upcoming productions, and an updated orientation of the venue to increase audiences' viewing pleasure. While still lacking permanent seating and other amenities, the Mongerson Theater can comfortably house up to 125 people with their temporary seating. Springville Center for the Arts launched a Theater Seat Campaign, inviting the public to dedicate a chair in the theater to an individual or loved one. Their name will be engraved on the seat, and support the organization by providing permanent seating for their theater.
The cast features Nick Benstead as Tevye the Dairyman; Alexandra Simmons as his wife Golde; Isabelle Wray as eldest daughter Tzeitel; Jane Hereth as their second eldest Hodel; Gwyneth Huson as their third eldest Chava; Maddie Mazurek as their fourth eldest Shprintze; Olivia Gates as their fifth eldest Bielke; Donna Benstead as Yente the Matchmaker; Trevor Krawczyk as Motel the Tailor; Justin Simmons as Perchik the Student; Frank Charles Vail as Lazar Wolf the Butcher; Matt Boyle as Mordcha the Innkeeper; David Bebout as the Rabbi; Casey Armstrong as Mendel the Rabbi’s son; Katelyn Gard as Nachum the Beggar and Fruma Sarah; Kelly Ann Campbell as Shaindel, Motel’s mother and Grandma Tzeitel; Keith Cordaro as Constable; Josh Buckley as Fyedka; Olivia Burdick as The Fiddler; and Haley Hughes and Ashley Ploetz as the Ensemble.
Veteran Director, Don Wesley, said he “feels fortunate to direct this talented company,” with Assistant Director/Stage Manager Matthew Touris, and Assistant Stage Manager Lilly Singbusch. Don has directed multiple shows for SCA including: The Drawer Boy, Two by Two, Annie, The Music Man, The Sound of Music, and Addams Family. Other members of the production team include Isabelle Wray as Assistant Choreographer, Bill McGirr and Chuck Lambert as Set Design, Abigail Wesley as Technical Assistant, Sherry Bligh and Judy Keele as Wardrobe, Kevin Kujawa as Lighting, Heather Svalina as Sound Operation, Jane Hereth as Hair & Makeup, Jane Hereth and Jennifer Zeitler as Company Photography, and Mark Touris as Company Advisor and Confectioner.
Performances of Fiddler on the Roof will run November 14th-16th and 21st-23rd at 7:00pm, and November 17th and 24th at 2:00pm. Performances are located in the Carol Mongerson Theater at 37 North Buffalo Street, Springville. Tickets are $20 for adults and $17 for students and seniors. Tickets are available online at SpringvilleArts.org or by calling Springville Center for the Arts at 716-592-9038. If interested in the Theater Seat Campaign, please contact scaseth@gmail.com or call Springville Center for the Arts. Springville Center for the Arts is a nonprofit multi-arts center with theater, concert, gallery and workshop programs.