It was a musical that conquered Broadway, and remained the long-run champion for years. Many a sunrise and sunset have taken place since Fiddler on the Roof made its bow in 1964, recounting the tales of Sholom Aleichem and what sparked his journey from pre-revolutionary Ukraine to Manhattan in 1906.
Next week, the staff and students of Bear Creek Secondary School in Barrie will be giving the work a fresh new look.
The play begins with Tevye the dairyman explaining to the audience the traditions that have kept him, his family and his neighbours in the village of Anatevka grounded. From there begin efforts by Tevye and his wife to marry off three of their daughters of marriageable age.
What the characters and audience share in the rest of the piece is how the earth is shifting underneath their feet, with changes to those traditions, moves outside the faith, and anti-Jewish pogroms and edicts that finally force them out.
“You can connect this musical to what is occurring around the world,” said co-producer and co-choreographer Laura Bruno. “We hope that you will be able to make your own personal connections and pull your own personal meanings from this show.”
Director Daniel Johnston is charged with making sure the cast projects that message (with help from other staff members, who make “special cameo appearances”). Lise Buelow leads the band and cast members in such Broadway chestnuts as If I Were a Rich Man, Now I Have Everything, Miracle of Miracles and Matchmaker, Matchmaker.
Tanya Yersh and student Synclair Richards share dance staging duties with Bruno.
“Keeping traditions alive in family households and at Bear Creek nowadays seems to be difficult at times; however, the show reminds us that we can hold onto these traditions while making new ones as well,” said Bruno.
Performances are set for Thursday and Friday, Mar. 30 and 31, starting at 7 p.m., followed by a Saturday matinee at 1:30 on Apr. 1, and the closing performance that night starting at 7.
Bear Creek Secondary is located at 100 Red Oak Drive, east of Mapleview, off Highway 27.
Tickets are $12 each and can be pre-purchased by phoning the school 705-725-7712 or can be purchased at the door.
