Warning: contains violins
Newport actors take a bow, presenting ‘Fiddler on the Roof’
Be a real mensch and attend the fund-raising performance of “Fiddler on the Roof,” opening this Friday, April 12, at the Newport Performing Arts Center.
Co-produced by Red Octopus Theatre Company and Oregon Coast Council for the Arts, the beloved Tony Award-winning musical from Joseph Stein, Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick is directed by Jason Holland, with music direction by Milo Graamans.
Tevye, a poor milkman with five daughters, must weigh his family’s happiness against the traditions that have preserved a way of life in his village. Based on the stories of Sholom Aleichem and rich in historical detail, the musical deals with universal themes of tradition and community that cut across barriers of race, class, nationality and religion, leaving audiences crying tears of laughter, sadness and joy. It also features one of the most iconic scores in the history of American theater, including unforgettable numbers such as “Sunrise, Sunset,” “If I Were A Rich Man,” “Tradition” and “Matchmaker, Matchmaker.”
In addition to his role as executive director of Oregon Coast Council for the Arts, Holland is a seasoned theatrical director who has not yet shared those particular talents with the local community. Red Octopus Theater Company approached him last year with the idea of teaming up on a concert-style production as a fundraiser to support renovations to the center.
Holland, whose previous directing credits include “Sweeney Todd,” “Ragtime” and “Titanic,” is excited to return to the director’s chair for the first time since before the pandemic.
“It has been a joy working with Red Octopus to put this show together,” he said. “I’m grateful to each and every member of our incredible cast and artistic team. We can’t wait to share this beautiful piece with our audiences.”
While Tevye is the lead in the musical, it truly is an ensemble show — and Holland has assembled an exceptional cast. In fact, most of the actors in starring or featured roles have, themselves, carried a leading role on the same stage. Mark Montminy (Tevye) was seen as Mrs. Trunchbull in “Matilda the Musical,” Megan Walters (Golde) as Aldonza in “Man of La Mancha,” Caity Showalter (Chava) as Audrey in “Little Shop of Horrors,” Cody Larsen (Motel) as Puck in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” Darcy Lawrence (Yente) as Nellie in “South Pacific,” Alex Herd (Perchik) as Maui in “Moana, Jr.,” Joshua Lawrence (Lazar Wolf) as Jerry in “The Full Monty,” Lucy Furuheim (Shprintze) as” Matilda in Matilda, Jr.,” Karlia Bertness (Fruma Sarah) as Ursula in “The Little Mermaid” and Ella May Marrant (Bielke) as Lavender in “Matilda the Musical.”
But the show also features powerhouse newcomers who are sure to become regulars on the Alice Silverman stage, such as honey-voiced Kate Miller (Hodel) from Kansas City; recent coastal transplant Kimber Keel (Grandma Tzeitel); and Clara Bird (Tzeitel), who returns to the stage after a six-year hiatus.
But the extraordinary talent assembled for “Fiddler” isn’t all on the stage. Graamans has tapped some impressive talent for the live pit orchestra, as well. Perhaps most notably violinist Richard Henrickson, who was associate concertmaster violin of the Broadway revival of “Fiddler” starring Chaim Topol, at the Gershwin Theatre in New York City.
“Of the 33 Broadway productions in which I performed as violinist from 1973 to 2007, ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ was one my very favorites, musically,” Henrickson said, “and needless to say, it was an honor to perform with Topol.”
In addition to the cast of actors and vocalists, the production will feature a team of dancers assembled by choreographer Nancy Mittleman. Costume design is provided by Jeri Harris, sets by Gary Herd, lights by Jason “Huck” Lewis, with Brian G. Robrecht as stage manager.
All proceeds benefit OCCA’s Capital Campaign to fund renovations to the backstage areas of the center.
The production runs through Sunday, April 28, with performances at 7 pm every Friday and Saturday. and 2 pm matinées on Sundays. Tickets range from $20 to $28. The Newport Performing Arts Center is located at 777 W Olive Street. For more information, go to coastarts.org or call 541-265-2787.