SANDWICH - It's an unusual way to start a musical. A fiddler sits precariously on a roof, scratching out a simple tune, trying his best not to fall off and break his neck. How does he keep his balance? In a word, tradition.
PR Productions of Sandwich will present the show that celebrates the certainty and the challenges of tradition, Fiddler on the Roof, in six performances November 15-17 & 22-23 at the historic Sandwich Opera House, 140 E. Railroad Street in Sandwich.
Set in a little village in Czarist Russia, the story follows Tevye, a poor dairyman, as his three oldest daughters marry. Tevye struggles to retain his position as head of the household in selecting his daughters' husbands, but with each daughter, he finds he needs to reevaluate his traditions for his daughters' sake.
As he chooses to change his traditions to reflect a changing society, he needs to endure the objections of his wife, Golde, the matchmaker, Yente, and the townspeople of Anatevka. While the Jews struggle with changing relationships, they also struggle with persecutions and eventual eviction by the Russians. The people of Anatevka find their future is as precarious as that plaintive fiddler on a roof.
And the fiddler does animate this story along with other musicians, supporting such classics such as “If I Were a Rich Man,” “Sunrise, Sunset,” and “Matchmaker.” Winner of eight Tony awards and multiple Drama Desk awards, the show has been an international blockbuster since opening in 1964.
Playing Tevye in the production is Bernie Schuneman (Sycamore). Amy Daly (Millington) plays Golde, Tara Duhan (Bensenville) plays Yente, while the three oldest daughters are played by Sarah Henry (Geneva), Rachel Eaton (Yorkville) and Blythe Schwaller (Sheridan).
Violinist Sophie Kennedy (Somonauk) plays the fiddler and will be featured consistently throughout the performance.
Other performers from Sandwich, Hinckley, Plano, Somonauk, Yorkville, DeKalb, and Millington complete the cast. The productions is directed by Kristofer Pagoria (Sandwich), music directed by Susan Webb (Yorkville) and choreographed by Danielle Pagoria (Sandwich).
Show times are at 7:30 p.m. November 15, 16, 22 & 23 and at 2:00 p.m. November 17 & 23. Admission is $15 for adults and $12 for seniors and students. Tickets may be purchased in advance by phone at 888-395-0797 or by logging on to www.wewantpr.com.
For more information about PR Productions, log on to www.wewantpr.com or find PR Productions on Facebook.
