FIDDLER ON THE ROOF Comes to MCCC's Kelsey Theatre This March

Maurer Productions OnStage (MPO) is about to celebrate life, tradition, matchmakers and miracles as the award-winning 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 (MCCC'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. (Matinee performances are sold out.)

Kelsey Theatre is located on MCCC's West Windsor Campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road. A reception with the cast and crew follows the opening night performance on March 16.

No other musical has so poignantly woven storytelling, music, dance, romance, laughter and history into a night at the theater. 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." Audiences will cheer, laugh out loud, sing along, and perhaps shed a tear as Tevye and his companions are forced to adjust to a new reality where even cherished traditions may not endure.

With music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, and book by Joseph Stein, the original Broadway production opened in 1964. 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. "Fiddler" has had five Broadway revivals and was adapted into a highly successful 1971 film. It has enjoyed lasting international popularity in countless community and school productions.

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; Dana Joy Carducci of Newtown, Pa., as Chava; Portia Murphy of Newtown, Pa., as Shprintze; Lily Schechter of Manalapan as Bielke; Joe Sherbin of West Windsor as Lazar Wolf; Ruth Markoe of Lawrence as Yente; Gavin Knox of Pemberton as Motel; John Fisher of Hamilton as Perchik; Paul Phalen of West Windsor as Fyedka; Jeffery Millstein of East Windsor as the Rabbi; Jeff Rosenthal of Dayton as the Rabbi's son; Peter Sauer of Yardley, Pa., as Mordcha and Nachum; Dan Slothower of Plainsboro as Avram; Gail Rose of Princeton Junction as Grandma Tzeitel; Liz Susswein of Hamilton as Fruma-Sara; Jack Petzko of Cranbury as Yussel; and Sara Thier of Newtown, Pa., as Shaindel.

The ensemble also includes Laurie Hardy of Hamilton, Lyndsey Goehrig of Allentown, Ally Masson of Robbinsville, Olivia Schanbacher of Yardley, Pa., Bella Thier and Alex de Mets of Newtown, Pa., Connor McDowell and Brian Wurtz of Levittown, Pa, Nicholas Kianka of Hamilton, and Nicolas Fallacaro of Yardley, Pa.

The show is directed by John M. and Diana Gilman Maurer, co-founders of MPO; Diana is also stage manager. Other members of the production team include Music Director Peter de Mets, Choreographer Kat Ross Kline, Assistant Choreographer Haley Schmalbach, Master Carpenter Jeff Cantor, Lighting Designer Judi Parrish, Sound Designer Evan Paine, and Costumer Anthony Remer.

Tickets are $20 for adults; $18 for seniors; and $16 for students/children. Tickets may be purchased online at www.kelseytheatre.net or by calling the Kelsey Box Office at 609-570-3333. Kelsey Theatre is wheelchair accessible, with free parking next to the theater. For a complete listing of adult and children's events, visit the Kelsey website or call the box office for a brochure.

Photo: 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. Tickets are available by calling the Kelsey Box Office at 609-570-3333 or online at www.kelseytheatre.net. Photo by John Maurer.