Long Beach Playhouse to Present FIDDLER ON THE ROOF

Each year, Long Beach Playhouse closes its Mainstage Season with a musical. This year it's pleased to present the popular classic, Fiddler on the Roof. Set in 1905 Czarist Russia, it tells the story of Tevye, a humble dairy farmer and his quest to find suitable mates for his five daughters. Despite his efforts, the daughters are feeling the influences of a world beyond the village.

The production is directed by Phyllis Gitlin and marks her 33rd time in the director's chair at the Playhouse. Ms. Gitlin, a theatre-arts educator, has directed more than 200 productions during her 30-year career. When asked who or what the antagonist in Fiddler is, she says it is pride, stubbornness and perhaps even tradition.

Nathanial Brown serves as the musical director, this is his first production for the Playhouse. The choreographer is Ellen Prince. Ms. Prince has choreographed for Fox network, the Avery Schreiber Theatre, the NoHo Actors Studio, and the Laguna Playhouse.

The actors, 24 in all, are a mix of LBP veterans and those for whom this is their first time to tread the boards here at the Playhouse. The cast includes two Millikan High School students: Russell Malang, a senior, and Hannah Smith, a sophomore. This is Ms. Smith's fourth Playhouse production.

Other veteran Playhouse actors are Cort Huckabone, Harriet Whitmyer, Dennis Adrian Dyck, Evan Battle, Roxanne Martinez, Jess Paxton and Lee Samuel Tanng.

Making her Playhouse debut is Mariyah Duffie, the youngest member of the cast who plays Tevye's youngest daughter. Although young, she is not without theatre experience, having performed in The Sound of Music, The Little Mermaid and Hairspray.

"All of our actors are outstanding," said Andrew Vonderschmitt, Executive and Producing Artistic Director. "Whether this is their first time on our stage or their fifth, they bring their talent and energy to making this a memorable experience for the audience."

Fiddler on the Roof first opened in 1964. The music is by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, and book by Joseph Stein. It was nominated for ten Tony Awards and won nine. In 1971, it was made into a movie.

SPECIAL EVENTS FOR THIS PLAY:

• Pay what you can Thursday July 10 - community can see this production for whatever they can afford
• Two for One Preview Friday July 11 - Tickets are $12.00
• Opening Night Champagne Reception with cast on July 12- Tickets are $27.00

Adults are $24.00, seniors $21.00, and Students $14.00.

Tickets are available at www.lbplayhouse.org, or by calling 562-494-1014, option 1.

Performances are 8 p.m. Friday, and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. The box office is open Wednesday-Saturday from 3:00-8:00 pm and Sundays from 1:00-2:00 pm on scheduled matinees.

Photo by Robert Craig