Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival to Open Season with FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, 6/13-29

With nine Tony Awards and a historic, record-setting Broadway run when it debuted 50 years ago, Fiddler on the Roof has been called "the greatest musical of all time."

Timeless songs-"If I Were a Rich Man," "Sabbath Prayer," and "Sunrise, Sunset"-underscore a universal story about family, love, tradition, and change. Directed by Dennis Razze, PSF associate artistic director, the musical previews June 11 and 12, opens June 13 and runs through June 29 on the Main Stage of the Labuda Center for the Performing Arts on the DeSales University campus. Ticket prices range from $25 to $56.

Tevye, the philosophical dairyman who achieved worldwide renown, faces changes in his village that challenge the traditions he cherishes and the faith that defines his life. Joe Vincent takes on the iconic role. Vincent, whose career includes a combined 32 years at some of the country's most renowned Shakespeare festivals, has played Tevye several times and returns to PSF following a turn as Big Daddy in the 2012 production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

Anne Kanengeiser, Broadway veteran and a two-time recipient of Washington's Helen Hayes Award, portrays Tevye's occasionally cantankerous wife Golde, who plots to marry off their daughters with Yenta, played by Patti Mariano, whose Broadway credits range from Bye Bye Birdie to The Full Monty to the revival of 42nd Street.

PSF regular John Ahlin plays Lazar Wolf, an eager suitor for Tevye's reluctant eldest daughter, Tzeitel, Jennifer Apple, whose heart belongs to another. Also vying for Tzeitel is Motel, the tailor, played by Hunter Ringsmith.

Jonathan Raviv portrays Perchik, a student Tevye employs to teach his daughters. Perchik becomes enamored of Hodel, played by Leah Scofield. Breaking all of Tevye's expectations is Chava, Christine Baglivio, who falls in love with a Russian gentile, Fyedka, played by Matt Kleckner.

Set in 1905 on the eve of the Russian revolutionary period, Fiddler was written by Joseph Stein with music by Jerry Bock and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick. The three were all successful Broadway artists who adapted the Ukrainian-born Sholem Aleichem's Teyve stories for the stage.

Stephen Casey is recreating Jerome Robbins original choreography. Casey, who choreographed Oklahoma! at PSF last season to great acclaim, has a team of male dancers who fearlessly face off with each other in the famed "To Life" sequence: Sean Bell, Cody Davis and Ben Delony lead the dance ensemble.

Musical Director and conductor is Nathan Diehl. J. Alex Cordaro is fight director. Scenery is designed by Will Neuert; costumes by Sam Fleming and Eric T. Haugen,lights; Ian P. Carr, sound.

Production Sponsor is Alvin H. Butz, Inc., and cosponsors are Air Products Inc. and Diefenderfer Electrical Contractors. Season Sponsor is Breslin, Ridyard, and Fadero Architects Inc.; Associate Season Sponsors are Linda Lapos and Paul Wirth, the Szarko Family, and The Harry C. Trexler Trust. Media sponsors are The Morning Call and Service Electric Cable TV & Communications.

For tickets, call 610.282.WILL [9455] or go online to www.pashakespeare.org.

The season also features The Two Gentlemen of Verona (June 18 - July 13); Lend Me a Tenor (July 9 - August 3) in repertory with Macbeth (July 17 - August 3); Tina Packer's Women of Will (July 20 - August 3); Cinderella (through August 2); and Shakespeare for Kids (July 23 - August 2).

PSF is also offering two "one-night-only" performances: Anthony Lawton's adaptation of C.S. Lewis' The Great Divorce, Monday, June 23 at 7:30pm and the world-renowned Baltimore Consort will present "The Food of Love: Songs for Shakespeare" on Monday, July 28 at 7:30pm.

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