Darlington’s fine arts department will present “Fiddler on the Roof” Feb. 15-17 at the Rome City Auditorium. Doors will open Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., with showtime at 7:30 p.m. The Sunday matinee begins at 2:30 p.m., after doors open at 2 p.m.
Touching audiences worldwide with its humor, warmth and honesty, “Fiddler on the Roof” is a staple of the musical theater canon. Winner of nine Tony Awards when it debuted in 1964, this universal show is the brainchild of Broadway legends, Jerome Robbins and Harold Prince; songwriters, Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick; and book writer, Joseph Stein. “Fiddler on the Roof” was one of the first Broadway musicals to deal with serious issues such as persecution, poverty and holding on to one’s beliefs. A 1971 movie version directed by Norman Jewison was nominated for Best Picture and picked up three Academy Awards.
“The writers of Fiddler meant for it to be a universal story about faith, hope, and family. It examines cultural traditions, how we adapt when the world begins to change around us, and what we prioritize in the face of despair and loss,” said Shelley Daniel, Darlington’s theater director. “We have spent a lot of time talking about this as a company. I think it is relevant, timely, and has the power to create incredible empathy in our students. It is a powerful and intimate reminder of the suffering we are capable of bringing to our fellow man when we are ruled by judgement and hate.”
Set in 1905 in the little village of Anatevka, the story centers on a poor dairyman Tevye, played by sophomore Owen Payne, and his five daughters (played by Abby Burris, Giulia Verzino, Maggie Inman, Kathryn Davidson, and Grace Ann Lundy). With the help of a colorful and tight-knit Jewish community, Tevye tries to protect his daughters and instill them with traditional values in the face of changing social mores and the growing anti-Semitism of Czarist Russia.
Rich in historical and ethnic detail, the musical’s universal theme of tradition cuts across barriers of race, class, nationality and religion, leaving audiences crying tears of laughter, joy and sadness. “Fiddler on the Roof” is the perfect mix of audience-pleasing humor and heart.
“The music in Fiddler is challenging, but so much fun. There are so many catchy songs that you’ll find yourself singing for weeks after it’s over,” said Daniel. “We’ve enjoyed working on these iconic songs and I’m grateful for the time and talents of Choral Director Ben McVety and Upper School Band Director Will Camp.”
There are 65 Upper School students involved in the cast and crew and there is additional support for the play coming from the stagecraft class and an iPeriod.
“This musical has a more minimalist set but our stagecraft class has built custom tables, benches and fences from scratch,” said Daniel. “Our iPeriod students have been busy working on masks for the dream scene which will make the characters look comically heightened. We are working with custom-made commedia dell’arte masks and adapting them for the scene.”
“Fiddler” is a show that Daniel has loved since she was a teenager.
“It’s a story that gets into your mind and heart and stays there,” said Daniel. “Our hope is that our audiences will connect with it in a very personal way and embrace its beautiful messages of faith and hope.”
Tickets for the event can be purchased in advance online at www.darlingtonschool.org/musical, or at the door on the day of the show. General admission tickets are $10. Tiger Booster Club members and current Darlington families may request reserved seating for no additional cost. The general public can purchase tickets in the reserved section for $15 each. All reserved tickets are offered online only and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that online ticket sales will close two hours before showtime. After that time, general admission tickets may be purchased only with cash or check at the ticket table in the lobby before each performance. On Friday and Saturday, the ticket table will open at 6:45 p.m. and doors will open for seating at 7:00 p.m. On Sunday the ticket table will open at 1:45 p.m. and doors will open for seating at 2:00 p.m.
For more information about Darlington's production of “Fiddler on the Roof,” contact the box office at 706-368-5256, or by email at boxoffice@darlingtonschool.org.
Full Company
Tevye, a Dairyman - Owen Payne
Golde, Tevye's Wife - Leelee Barnes
Tzeitel, Tevye's Daughter - Abby Burris
Hodel, Tevye's Daughter - Giulia Verzino
Chava, Tevye's Daughter - Maggie Inman
Shprintze, Tevye's Daughter - Kathryn Davidson
Bielke, Tevye's Daughter - Grace Ann Lundy
Motel, the Tailor - Tejas Reddy
Perchik, a Student - Nick Powell
Fyedka, a Russian - Gabriel Zuloaga
Yente, the Matchmaker - Morgan Ivester
Lazar Wolf, the Butcher - Michael Hall
The Rabbi - Neal Yin
Mendel, the Rabbi's Son - Grayson Davis
Shaindel, Motel's Mother - Olivia Harper
Mordcha, the Innkeeper - Elliot Luitwieler
Yussel, the Hat Merchant - Caleb Baldwin
Avram, the Bookseller - Mason Zanone
Nachum, the Beggar - Ben Scarbrough
Village Mama and Grandma Tzeitel, a Ghost - Kathryn Chunn
Village Daughter and Fruma-Sarah, a Ghost - Frances Fields
The Fiddler - Sophie Jin
The Constable, a Russian - Will Bowman
Village Son, Sasha, a Russian Villager and Officer - Brock Lignell
Village Papa, Russian Villager and Officer - Alfred Dai
Village Son, Russian Villager and Officer - Trey Chupp
Village Mama, the Bread Merchant - Hannah Willerson
Village Mama, the Fish Merchant - Chloe Duck
Village Mama, the Vegetable Merchant - Ayo Asonibare
Village Mama - Madison Rogers
Village Mama - Daria Black
Village Mama - Amy Kim
Village Mama - Ingrid Wu
Rifka, a Village Daughter - Rhema Onyia
Mirala, a Village Daughter - Camille Temple
Village Daughter - Amber Fields
Village Daughter - Trang Khuc
Assistant Director - Ellen Jiang
2nd Assistant Director - Tanya Maples
Stage Manager - Olivia Barfield
Assistant Stage Manager - Sharon Sun
2nd Assistant Stage Manager and Russian Villager - Mary Prusakowski
Stage Crew and Russian Officer - Ian Hankinson
Stage Crew and Priest - Alexander Greene
Stage Crew and Russian Villager - Gracie Willerson
Stage Crew and Nun - Grace Lester
Costume Manager - Alanna Brown-Meier
Costume Crew - Sia Patel, Abigail Yerke, Dani Sims, Princesa Pace, Doris Kang
Spotlight - Madigan Flournoy and Clara Graham
Musician, Flute - Teresa Jin
Musician, Flute - Ziyi Yang
Musician, Clarinet - William Zhang
Musician, Clarinet - Johnny Qin
Musician, Trumpet - Steven Yan
Musician, Trumpet II - Cooper Cates
Musician, Baritone - Tom Guo
Musician, Guitar - Michael Peng
Musician, Bass - Lewie Camp
Musician, Percussion - Charlie Curlee
Musician, Accordion and Keyboard - Alek Wang
