Kelowna Actors Studio has added two performances to its run of the Tony Award-winning musical, Fiddler on the Roof—Sunday August 3 at 1 pm and 8 pm.
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Kelowna Actors Studio announces the Tony Award-winning musical, Fiddler on the Roof running July 16 to August 2, 2014.
Based on the tales by Shalom Aleichem and set in Tzarist Russia in 1905, this touching musical tells the story of Tevye, a poor milkman, who must weigh his family’s happiness against the traditions that have preserved a way of life in his village for centuries. His eldest daughters want to marry for love rather than an auspicious match, and outside political forces threaten everything he holds dear.
The score with a book by Joseph Stein, music by Jerry Bock and Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick celebrates 50 years in 2014. It boasts the beloved songs “If I Were a Rich Man,” “Sunrise, Sunset,” “Matchmaker” and many more.
Director Karlisa Hiebert makes her directing debut with Kelowna Actors Studio and shares her thoughts on this classic story. “Fiddler on the Roof is timeless. But more importantly is universal. It is about universal human values. The story transcends the bounds of the Jewish faith and culture. The conflict between the generations, the struggle between different cultures, the power and strength of love, these are universal themes.”
Hiebert is the new general manager of the Kelowna Actors studio and has spent over a decade as the principal of Studio 9 in Kelowna. Over the past 30 plus years, Karlisa has had extensive training in dance, music and theatre. In 1991, she became a cast member of the Toronto Company of Les Miserables where she had the great privilege of performing for Lady Diana.
After one year and approximately 500 performances in the ensemble and as an understudy, she was selected by Claude-Michel Schönberg to play the lead role of Eponine for the Canadian National Touring Company, which toured for over a year and a half.
Other favourite roles include Fantine for Kelowna Actors Studio’s “Les Miserables”, Tzeitel in Huron Country Playhouse’s “Fiddler on the Roof”, Rizzo in Grease, Gertie Cummins in Oklahoma for Theatre Under the Stars and Diana in “Anne of Green Gables” for Gateway Theatre.
Leading the cast of Fiddler in Kelowna will be Rick Worrall as Tevye. Mr. Worrall returns to Kelowna Actors Studio where he previously performed in Les Miserables (Javert), South Pacific (Emile), and for the Music Stand Series Guys & Dolls (Sky) amongst others.
Golde will be played by Norene Morrow, whose numerous Kelowna Actors Studio credits include The Music Man (Mrs. Paroo), Into The Woods (Jack’s Mother) and South Pacific (Bloody Mary).
Two of our cast members return from our first production presented in 2005 where they played the youngest daughters of Tevye; Sphrintze and Bielke. Now adults, Rebecca Field (Marion in The Music Man) will play Hodel and Cassidy Janzen will play Frumah Sarah.
Janet Anderson returns to our stage as Yente, the matchmaker (Streetcar Named Desire, Miracle on 34th Street) with Mac Mackay (Shrek-The Musical) playing Motel.
Newcomers Dharma Bizier (Tzeitel), Tiernan Johnson (Fyedka), Rick Seutter (Constable), Scott Walker (Sasha), Kira Berntson, Jaeda Hall-Easton, Savannah Hiebert, Jenna Geen, Dakota Scuffi and Nicholas Madsen will join the Kelowna Actors Studio family with regulars Andrea Sorestad (Chava), Joshua Donaldson (Perchik), William Power (Lazar Wolf), Taylor Baker (Bielke) and Rowyn Genier (Shprintze), Casey Easton (Avram), Laura Purves (Grandma Tzeitel), Lucas Morehouse (Mendel), Ryan Grenier (Rabbi), Camryn Peters (Fiddler), Karen Shale (Shaindel), Cory de Roos (Nachum) with Kira Berntson, Tammy Abrahamson, Madeleine Petraroria, Celeste Catena, Megan Edwards, Emily Dehod, Harmony Taetz and Francesca Drummond.
Resident choreographer Jennifer Davies will join forces with Hiebert.
Musical director will be Roslyn Frantz who is in her fourth season as Kelowna Actors Studio’s resident music director.
Nathan Flavel & Mike Nordlund will be the scenic designers. Costumes will be designed by Hazel Rodgers assisted by Lori Lawler. Lighting design will be by Randy Leslie withsound design by Jordan Davies who is in his 10th season with Kelowna Actors Studio.
Fiddler of the Roof is produced by Randy Leslie.
Tickets start at $54 available through the Box Office (250-862-2867), open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am to 6 pm, or on-line at KelownaActorsStudio.com.
Dates: July 16 through August 2
Performances: Dinner or Show Only options available.
Wednesday through Sunday performances at 8 pm (with dinner at 6:30 pm) and a Saturday Matinee at 1 pm (Show only or dessert options available) .
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