Des Moines Community Playhouse to Present FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, 9/6-29

The Des Moines Community Playhouse presents "Fiddler on the Roof," Sept. 6-29. Tickets may be purchased online at dmplayhouse.com, by phone at 515-277-6261, and at The Playhouse ticket office, 831 42nd St. "Fiddler on the Roof" is sponsored by Principal Financial Group.

Humble milkman Tevye (Tim Wisgerhof, "Moonlight and Magnolias") may sometimes dream of being a rich man, but really he loves his life in Anatevka. He has his loving wife, Golde (Preshia Paulding, "Ring of Fire"), and their five daughters. He has his Russian-Jewish community and his faith. He has Tradition, and without it "life would be as shaky as a fiddler on the roof."

But change is coming to Anatevka. His daughters want to make their own matches. Yet Tevye's love of family, faith, and hope help him face the dangerous forces threatening to destroy the villagers' way of life.

With a timeless story and memorable songs such as "Sunrise, Sunset," "Matchmaker," and "If I Were a Rich Man," it's no wonder this musical, not seen on The Playhouse stage since 1972, is the #1 show requested by both audiences and actors. Winner of the 1965 Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Original Score, and Best Book, the New York Daily News says, "'Fiddler on the Roof' is a universal story of hope, love and acceptance, a stunning, joyful and jubilant musical masterpiece."

In addition to Wisgerhof and Paulding, The Playhouse production features Marie Schmidt as Tzeitel, Jessica Martens as Hodel, Jada Smith as Chava, Jillian Michelle Gabby as Shprintze, Avi Gedler as Bielke, Janet Habick as Yente, Shawn Smith Jones as Motel, Casey Coppess as Perchik, Gregory Millar as Lazar Wolf, Steve Hickle as Mordcha, Carl Pullen as Rabbi, Philip Sandager as Mendel, Gary Miles as Avram, Nick Black as Nachum, Alexis Ananda Cole as Grandma Tzeitel, Beth Hamlett as Fruma-Sarah, Arvin Van Zante as Constable, Joshua Haldeman as Fyedka, Elysa Koss as Shaindel, and Dean Messerly as The Fiddler. Completing the cast are Susan Breen-Held, Katie Dorrell, Susan Eisenhour, Deanna Kuhns, Jennifer Martin, Anna Nalean, Bobby Nalean, Jennifer Phelps, and Nicholas Root. The cast is directed and choreographed by Steven Flaa with music direction by Brenton Brown.

The Playhouse will host preshow talks in conjunction with "Fiddler on the Roof." Audiences are encouraged to come to the theatre 30 minutes prior to curtain for a preshow talk with artistic staff.

The Playhouse is Iowa's oldest and largest producing theatre. Located at the 42nd Street exit of I-235, the theatre has presented a full season of shows since 1919 and also offers a wide variety of educational experiences including classes for ages 4 to adult, theatre trips to New York, and volunteer opportunities onstage and backstage.

For more information about The Playhouse and "Fiddler on the Roof," contact The Playhouse ticket office at 515-277-6261.