Cinnabar to Open Season with FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, Begin. 9/5

This fall, Cinnabar Theater kicks off its 42nd season by celebrating the 50th anniversary of Fiddler on the Roof. Stephen Walsh of La Cage aux Folles plays Papa Tevye with Cinnabar's own Elly Lichenstein as his wife. Talk about a match made in heaven! Experience the happiness and tears of Fiddler with 45 fantastic singers, dancers, and musicians in Cinnabar's intimate theater.

This marvelous family musical opens on September 5 and concludes its run on September 21 with a special performance and party commemorating the day that Fiddler first opened on Broadway. That production racked up an astonishing 10 Tony Awards by introducing unforgettable songs like "Tradition" and "If I Were A Rich Man." It's message of family, faith, and flexibility has never gone out of style. Don't miss this joyful and beautiful show.

Want to be a rich man or woman? Come to the birthday party for Fiddler on September 21. See the show, celebrate its heartwarming history, and stay for cake and a post-show sing-along with the cast. Then, thanks to a generous sponsor, everyone in that day's audience has a chance to win big money!

Featuring stage direction by John Shillington and music direction by Mary Chun, Cinnabar's ebullient production is generously underwritten by Clyde and Kim Schultz with Sandra O'Brien.

"I am truly looking forward to sharing this show with our community," said Artistic Director Elly Lichenstein. "Not only is it a great work of theater, it has enormous personal significance for me. All four of my grandparents came to America from villages like Anatevka, and it excites me that our magnificent cast is so committed to tell their story."

Fiddler on the Roof showcases the talents of Erin Ashe (Chava), Madeleine Ashe (Yente), Michael Desnoyers (Motel), Anthony Guzman (Perchik), Molly Mahoney (Hodel), Jennifer Mitchell (Tzeitel), and Sam Rabinowitz (Fyedka). The ensemble features Adrian Boyer (Avram the Bookseller), Frank Demma (Mendel), Joey Favalora (Mordcha), Megan Fleischmann (Sphrintze), Lucy London (Bielke), Clark Miller (Rabbi), Cheryl Moore (Fruma Sarah), James Pfeiffer (Constable), Dwayne Stincelli (Lazar Wolff), Craig Work (Nachum the Beggar), and Sue Zalkaske (Grandma Tzeitel).

The cast of this big production is completed by an 18-person chorus of kids and adults and accompanied by a six-piece orchestra - including Tyler Lewis as the fiddler. The designers are Joe Elwick (scenery), Julia Kwitchoff (costumes), Wayne Hovey (lights), and Joey Favalora (choreography).

Tickets are $35 for adults and $25 for ages 21 and under, with special $9 seats for middle- and high-school students on September 5. Tickets for the birthday party on September 21 are $5 extra. Reserve seats online at any time by visiting cinnabartheater.org, or call the box office at 707-763-8920 between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM on weekdays. Tickets may also be available at the door, but reservations are recommended as Cinnabar's shows often sell out.

Every year, Cinnabar Theater produces a thrilling mix of plays, musicals, operas, and concerts in a remarkable range of genres. Cinnabar's Young Rep offers extensive activities for local youth, and the Cinnabar Singers welcome anyone who wants to be part of a chorus. All these events take place in the iconic red schoolhouse perched atop a grassy hill on the outskirts of Petaluma.

Audiences have flocked to performances in this intimate setting since 1972, when Marvin and Jan Klebe established an arts center for the community. Along with their sons, they transformed a charming 1908 schoolhouse into a jewel-box theater that has hosted successful shows for four decades. Now Cinnabar is presenting another year of lively performances for its loyal audience.

Cinnabar Theater is located at 3333 Petaluma Boulevard North, just off Highway 101 and only minutes from historic downtown Petaluma. There's ample parking up on the hill... and a friendly herd of goats grazing in the neighboring field. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 707-763-8920 or visit cinnabartheater.org.

Photo by Eric Chazankin