The Loveland Stage Company’s spring show, Fiddler on the Roof, opens on March 6, 2015 and continues for three weekends.  The musical was based on Sholem Aleichem's tales of Tevye and his Daughters. Fiddler on the Roof is the brainchild of Broadway legends Director Jerome Robbins, Producer Harold Prince, Songwriters Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick, and Bookwriter Joseph Stein. The musical won nine TONY awards when it debuted in 1964.  Since then touring shows and community theaters have touched audiences worldwide with its music, humor, warmth and honest love.

Veteran Director Cathy Alter is leading the core of the production staff that brought the popular musical Oklahoma to Loveland.  Award winning Music Director Jack Hasty is back and his attention to good vocalization with every note of the lyrics is evident when the energetic cast sings the many memorable musical tunes, such as "Tradition," "Matchmaker, Matchmaker" and "Sunrise, Sunset".  Marjory Clegg is choreographing the leads in solo and couple dances, and the ensemble in the spectacular “Tradition” and the energetic Russian dance at the village inn.

The co-producers, Ann Barfels and Pat Furterer, are working again with a production crew that have won individual and group community theater awards.  Their period costumes, rural looking sets and authentic appearing props enhanced with lighting and sound effects will surely be appreciated by the audience.

Fiddler on the Roof is the story of Tevye and his five daughters as he struggles to maintain his Jewish religious and cultural traditions, as outside influences encroach upon the family's lives. He must cope both with the strong-willed actions of his three oldest daughters, who wish to marry for love and happiness – each one's choice of a husband moves further away from the customs of his faith – and with the edict of the Tsar that evicts his family and neighbors from his village.

The musical opens with Tevye (played by ACT Orchid winner Dave Marcus) explaining the customs of the Jews in the Russian village of Anatevka, where their lives are as precarious as the perch of a fiddler on a roof.  Back at Tevye's home, the village matchmaker (played by Michelle Faulkner) arrives to tell Tevye’s wife, Golde, (played by Dave’s real wife, Susan McElroy Marcus) that Lazar Wolf (played by Richard Lee Waldeck), the wealthy butcher, wants to wed Tzeitel, the eldest daughter (played by Nisrene Langenbrunner).  Everyone is excited about Yente's visit, except Tzeitel because she wants to marry her childhood friend, Motel the tailor (played by Jonathan Goolsby).  After hearing that Tzeitel is to marry a widower older than her father, Motel pays a visit and tells Tevye that he (Motel) is the perfect match for Tzeitel and promises that she will not starve as his wife.  Tevye is outraged at this breach of tradition by making their own match but on the other hand is impressed at the tailor’s display of backbone and agrees to let them marry.

While Tevye is delivering milk he meets a young stranger, Perchik (played by John Sloan), and offers him food and a room in exchange for tutoring his two youngest daughters Shprintze (played by Anna Verderber ) and Bielke (played by Taylor Towles).  After Perchik finishes his first lessons for the day, Tevye's second daughter Hodel (played by Shannon Alter-Fredenburg), mocks Perchik's Marxist interpretation of a Bible story.  He, in turn, criticizes her for hanging on to the old traditions of Judaism, noting that the world is changing. To illustrate this, he dances with her, defying another tradition, the prohibition against opposite sexes dancing together. The two begin to fall in love.   

While returning from town, Tevye's third daughter, the bookish Chava (played by Lizzie Roesner), is teased and intimidated by a few Russian youths, but one of them, Fyedka (played by Michael Gettinger) protects her, dismissing the others. He offers Chava the loan of a book, and a secret love begins with another breach of tradition.

Intertwined with the love stories of the daughters is the tender love story of Tevye and Golde, whose relationship and marriage was arranged by a matchmaker, a tradition.  Their strong bond is evident in their dedication to the happiness of their daughters and each other.  In a touching number, “Do You Love Me”, they confirm their respect and love for each other.

The love stories of the three daughters unfolds over several months during which they interact with their parents, Jewish neighbors and infiltrating Russian loyalists often bringing tears of laughter, joy and sadness to the eyes of the audience.

Cathy Alter has cast other veterans in several more leading roles and experienced dancers and singers in the ensemble.  Visit our website www.lovelandstagecompany.com to view the names of the entire cast.
 
Fiddler on the Roof has the perfect mix of memorable songs, humor and love that audiences enjoy.  Don’t miss it.  Tickets are available at $18.00 each for evening performances at 7:30 pm on March 6, 7, 13, 14, 19, 20 and 21 or matinee performances at 3:00 pm on March 8 and 15.  To order tickets please visit our website at www.lovelandstagecompany.org or call 513-443-4LSC (4572).  All performances are held at the Loveland Stage Company Theatre, 111 Second Street, Loveland, Ohio 45140.

Michael Finn, Loveland Stage Company, mefinncanusa@aol.com