Maurer Productions OnStage is about to celebrate life, tradition, matchmakers and miracles as the company presents the beloved Broadway classic Fiddler on the Roof.
Tevye and all the villagers from Anatevka take up residence at Mercer County Community College’s Kelsey Theatre Fridays, March 16 and 23 at 8 p.m.; Saturdays, March 17 and 24 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sundays, March 18 and 25 at 2 p.m.
Set in a small village in Imperial Russia circa 1905, the plot focuses on Tevye, a poor dairyman struggling to hold onto his religion, his Russian-Jewish traditions – and his five daughters. But with a menacing future looming ever nearer, Tevye becomes increasingly aware that life is “as shaky as a fiddler on the roof.” Tevye and his companions are forced to adjust to a new reality where even cherished traditions may not endure.
The original Broadway production opened in 1964, and it was the first Broadway musical to surpass 3,000 performances. Part of Fiddler’s appeal is its Tony Award-winning musical score, which includes such show stoppers as “Matchmaker, Matchmaker,” “If I Were a Rich Man,” “Sunrise, Sunset,” “Anatevka” and “To Life!” In addition to its score, the show won eight other Tonys, including Best Musical.
The cast features John Zimmerman of Hamilton as Tevye; Cindy Sherbin Chait of West Windsor as Golde; Ashleigh Ayres of Lawrence as Tzeitel; Jordan Virgil of East Windsor as Hodel; Joe Sherbin of West Windsor as Lazar Wolf; Ruth Markoe of Lawrence as Yente; John Fisher of Hamilton as Perchik; Paul Phalen of West Windsor as Fyedka; Jeffery Millstein of East Windsor as the Rabbi; Dan Slothower of Plainsboro as Avram; Gail Rose of Princeton Junction as Grandma Tzeitel; Liz Susswein of Hamilton as Fruma-Sara; and Jack Petzko of Cranbury as Yussel.
The show is directed by John M. and Diana Gilman Maurer, co-founders of Maurer Productions OnStage.
Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors, and $16 for students/children. Tickets may be purchased online or by calling the Kelsey Box Office at 609-570-3333. Kelsey Theatre is located on MCCC’s West Windsor campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road.
Standing from left are Tevye and his family: Dana Joy Carducci as Chava, Ashleigh Ayres as Tzeitel, John Zimmerman as Tevye, Cindy Sherbin Chait as Golde, and Jordan Virgil as Hodel; sitting left, Lily Schechter as Bielke and Portia Murphy as Shprintze. Maurer Productions OnStage presents “Fiddler on the Roof” at MCCC’s Kelsey Theatre March 16-25.,
