BRAVO@KAT Stages FIDDLER ON THE ROOF JR. Today

What possibly could be said or written about a production of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF Jr. that hasn't already been announced countless times? Probably nothing except the one word "tradition" and that's the lasting essence of this theatrical phenomenon on two levels for this BRAVO@KAT student production. The show retells the ethnic traditions of a specific family but it has universal appeal. The "tradition" here is a dual one because it includes the re-enactment of the cherished Broadway tradition of teaching new generations of American children the theatrical classics of our culture.

BRAVO@KAT decided to tackle the poignant themes of Fiddler on the Roof Jr. after its highly successful inuaugural production of The Music Man Jr. on Olney Theatre Center's Historic Stage this past January. With a cast of 42 young artists, featuring students in grades 3-8 from all over the metropolitan area, award-winning Director/Choreographer Darnell Morris and Music Director Laura Brady have fashioned a show whose message is both challenging and sentimental for the youthful cast.

Two students, Shira Minsk (double cast as Tzeitel), and Cole Edelstein (double cast as Motel) have just appeared as Little Boy and Little Girl in the Kensington Art Theatre's recent production of Ragtime at the Kensington Armory. Ethan Miller (double cast as Tevye) is playing the role of Wolfie in a staged concert developmental reading of Signs of Life, an off Broadway show at American University's Katzen Center Studio Theatre, before the production heads to Chicago for a September run. Bryan Stopak (the Fiddler) was cast without the production team being aware that he was actually an accomplished violinist so this production includes "a real Fiddler" whose music is artfully interwoven.

Others of the cast of 42 talented thespians continue to be cast in lead and principal roles in their school productions of Broadway favorites and so these young people are "talking the talk" and "walking the walk" that keeps American musical theatre alive, generation after generation. Their passion for musical theatre is a priority in their lives, even at a young age, because they often give up all other extracurricular activities in order to hone their skills in classes and workshops when not in school. When you come to see a BRAVO@KAT show, it's not "just another kids show". These rising stars are only distinguishable from older professionals in physical stature. Shorter people doing a shortened Jr. version of a Broadway classic - a better way to spend 60 minutes does not exist between here and the Big Apple!

Fiddler on the Roof Jr. will be seen at Randolph Road Theater, 4010 Randolph Road Theatre, Silver Spring, MD today, June 8 at 1:00 pm, 4:00 pm and 7:30 pm and Sunday, June 9 at 1:00 pm (ASL interpreted show), 4:00 pm and 7:30 pm. Tickets: $18 pre-sale at www.katonline.org or $20 at the door.

Photo Credit: Erica Keys Land, Esq., Erica Land Photography.