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| Photo by Angela Barton Billings |
The Independent
A half a century ago “Fiddler on the Roof,” the story of a family facing the challenges of a hostile and changing Russia, would go on to become a classic of the American musical theatre. This February SUU’s Department of Music and Department of Theatre Arts & Dance will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Tony Award-winning musical “Fiddler on the Roof.” This beloved musical will be performed on February 23 – 28 and March 2 at 7:30pm with a matinee performance on Saturday February 28 at 2 p.m. in the Randall L. Jones Theatre on the SUU campus in Cedar City. The production features Peter Sham as Tevye and Utah Shakespeare Festival’s Melinda Pfundstein as Golde.
Opening originally on Broadway in 1964, “Fiddler on the Roof” became the first musical in history to run over 3,000 performances. The production was extraordinarily profitable and highly acclaimed – nine Tony Awards including Best Musical, score, book, direction and choreography. It has had four Broadway revivals and was transformed into a highly successful film adaptation in 1971. The show has enjoyed enduring international popularity and remains a very popular choice for school and community productions.
“Fiddler on the Roof” features music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, and book by Joseph Stein, set in the Pale of Settlement of Imperial Russia in 1905. It is based on Tevye and his Daughters (or Tevye the Dairyman) and other tales by Sholem Aleichem. The story centers on Tevye, the father of five daughters, and his attempts to maintain his Jewish religious and cultural traditions, as outside influences encroach upon the family’s lives. Boasting a glorious score that includes such musical gems as “Sunrise, Sunset,” “If I Were a Rich Man,” “Tradition” and “Matchmaker, Matchmaker,” Fiddler on the Roof brims with wit, a genuine poignancy, and characters that capture your heart.
Peter Sham, Associate Professor of Theatre Arts, returns to the SUU stage after appearing in the 2012 and 2013 productions of his own work A Christmas Carol on the Air. Over the years, Sham appeared in numerous productions at the Utah Shakespeare Festival and most recently played the role of Max Prince in “Laughter on the 23rd Floor” at the Neil Simon Festival. SUU alumna, Theatre Arts and Dance adjunct faculty member and Utah Shakespeare Festival favorite and Melinda Pfundstein, an Actors Equity Guest Artist, is known to audiences for her many performances at the Festival including Twelfth Night (Olivia), Into the Woods (Baker’s Wife) and Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure (Irene Alder).
Don’t be disappointed and secure your tickets in advance for this highly anticipated production. Ticket prices are: $15 Adult General Admission; $12 SUU Alumni with card; and $7 Youth and free for Faculty/Staff and SUU students with a valid ID (faculty and staff are entitled to bring one guest). You can purchase the CPVA Flex Pass which offers six admissions to any theatre, dance or music event and can be used for a single entrance to a production or can be used to admit six people to one event. The cost of the Flex Pass is $40 per pass (a $65 value). For tickets or the Flex Pass, call the SUU Ticket Office at (435) 586-7872, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m., or purchase in person at the Centrum Arena box office. Single tickets may be purchased online at www.suu.edu/pva/arts.
