Fiddler on the Roof

Notre Dame de Namur University Theatre Arts and Music Departments present...

"Notre Dame de Namur University... always surprises with the excellence of its shows... As I have reviewed so many productions of "Fiddler," it takes a lot to get me enthusiastic again, but Elkins brewed a winner by casting a super bunch of students from the school..." - San Mateo County Times review

Lyrics By: Sheldon Harnick ~ Music By: Jerry Bock ~ Book by: Joseph Stein

Directed By Michael B. Elkins
Musical Director Debra Lambert
Choreographer Coleen Lorenz

March 23 - April 2, 2006


CAST (in order of appearance)

The Fiddler - Dexter Quito
Tevye - Michael Reed
Golde - Julia Louise Hosack
Tzeitl - Amanda Dreschler
Hodel - Laura Nellesen
Chava - Laura Hill
Shprintze - Rebecca Fazio
Bielke - Nichole Lorenz
Yente - Marisol Urbano
Motel Kamzoil - Justin Taylor Nixon
Shandel - Crystal Villafane
Perchik - John Babin
Lazar Wolfe - Ron Lopez
Mordcha - Ryan Ferguson
Rabbi - Jeff Young
Mendel - Isaac Wigley
Avram - Adam Ellison
Nahum - Efrain Lazcano Ibarra
Grandma Tzeitl - Isha Leon
Fruma Sarah - Laura Woodruff
Yussel - Daniel Pias
Constable - Brady Boyd
Fyedka - Justin Basl
Sasha - Joseph Toomey
A Vendor - Daniel Pias
Rifka - Vanessa Bautista
Mirala - Melissa Fisher
Jewish and Russian Citizens of Anatevka: Ashley Browning, Michael Chiaverini, Taylor Chung, Tanner Chung, Lindsey Croll, Matthew Elkins, Christopher Hutchens, Hannah Lassman, Melanie Massey, Tyler Moskovitz, Elizabeth Whitehorn

Orchestra: Debra Lambert, Keyboard/Conductor; Eric Garcia, Percussion; Anna Khaydarova, Piano; Aaron Shaul, Bass



PRODUCTION STAFF

Producer/Director - Michael B. Elkins
Music Director - Debra Lambert
Choreographer - Coleen Lorenz
Technical Director - R. Dutch Fritz
Scenic & Lighting Design - R. Dutch Fritz
Costume Design - Katherine Irvine Mills
Make-up and Wig Design - Jennifer Gallagher
Sound Design - Perry Thorwaldson, THOR AUDIO
Dialect and Dramaturge - Richard Newton
Casting - Michael Elkins, Debra Lambert, Coleen Lorenz
Stage Manager - Alexandria Knight
Assistant Stage Manager - Marianna Davis
Assistant Producer - Mary Hill
Assistant Director - Ann Lawler
Assistant Choreographer- Laura Nellesen
Production Assistant - Elana Ron
Shop Foreman and Master Electrician - Tom Earlywine
Shop Assistants - Sara Rose Butler, Aubrey Erickson, Brian Hill, Brian Noriega, Gina Rodondi, Laurie Nellesen, Cassandra Sasano
Set Construction Crew - The Cast
Costume Assistant - Katerina Schmidt
Costume Construction Crew - Traci Cicerschi, Andrea Harmening, Mary Hill
Michelle Koski, Katerina Schmidt
Light Board Operator - Sara Rose Butler
Sound Board Operator - Perry Thorwaldson, THOR AUDIO
Stage Crew - Cassandra Sasano (chief), Keegan Davidson, Robyn DeMartini, Aubrey Erickson, David Montgomery, Kyle Morrisey, Gina Redondi, Kaili Scholl, Assiya Tuckson
Properties Master - Karen Byrnes
Properties Construction - Karen Byrnes, Mary Hill
Advance Box Office - Mary Hill
Box Office - Sherine Aubert
Theatre House Manager - Mary Hill
Logo and Program Design - Debra Lambert



A NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR

A FIDDLER ON THE ROOF? Sounds crazy? No! Many people often wonder why theatre companies choose to produce certain plays and musicals. In the case of the NDNU Theatre program the choice of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF was both logical and appropriate for many reasons.

The NDNU Theatre program endeavors to choose plays and musicals that both suit the talents and skills of our current students and that challenge them to immerse themselves in new and different styles of acting, music, movement and dance, and cultural and ethnic traditions. FIDDLER certain-ly presented a wealth of opportunity for discovery, chal-lenge, and growth for the members of this production com-pany in these areas. Creating the sense of the community of Anatevka was an intellectual and creative challenge that required full support and commitment from the actors and creative staff.

Here, in our little village of Anatevka, everyone knows everyone else and the upheavals and turmoils of the outside world are not nearly as important as the immediate con-cerns for the health and happiness of one's own family and neighbors.

As Tevye and Golde struggle with the daily challenges of supporting and protecting their family, they also face increasing challenges to their religious and social traditions and practices from outside forces and from within their own family. We watch these two, seemingly unimportant indi-viduals, face the unique and often painful crisis's that their children bring into their home and their lives.

For decades, audiences have identified, variously with the young, passionate, wistful lovers and then, ultimately, with the parents and other adults in the community. Young peo-ple embrace the romance and yearning for freedom they see in Tevye's daughters and the young men who change their lives.

Older observers both empathize and sympathize with the parents when they are faced with the challenges and painful choices that often accompany the life changes their children face. All audience members rebel at the thought of families being driven from their homes and communities by the greed, intolerance, and cruelty of powerful outsiders.

Our goal with this production of FIDDLER is to find new life meaning in the stories of the play and to bring them to life in ways that will remind all of us of how very lucky we are to have people to love and cherish and how hard we must work to maintain the bonds of love and compassion between ourselves and our families and friends.

Thank you for joining us. This journey really is dedicated ... To Life!
-Michael B. Elkins