Valley Light Opera is pleased to announce that its next fall production will be the acclaimed musical Fiddler on the Roof, which opened on Broadway in 1964 and ran for a then-record 3,242 performances.
Set in 1905, in a small village within the Jewish enclave of imperial Russia known as the Pale of Settlement, Fiddler on the Roof tells the story of Tevye the Milkman, the guide and narrator, who wants to spend his days praying in the synagogue but must earn enough to provide for his wife and five daughters. Tevye’s worldview is challenged when his three eldest daughters defy the Jewish custom of using a matchmaker to find their husbands by falling in love with unsuitable men, one of whom is not a Jew. All this takes place against the backdrop of Tevye and his family and friends struggling with their status as outcasts in their own country, a pressing issue for our time and place as well.
VLO is also excited to announce that Rose Schwietz Malla has been chosen as stage director for the production, while Matthew Bertuzzi will take on the duties of music director. Hailing from Minnesota, Rose is an MFA directing candidate in the theater program at UMass/Amherst and is a veteran director, performer, and educator. She spent a decade in Nepal teaching theatre, as well as directing and performing with One World Theatre. She is also a Fulbright U.S. Student Nepal Grantee for 2021-22. Rose’s most recent VLO experience was as a cast member of the historic 50th anniversary production of H.M.S. Pinafore last fall.
Rose notes, “Fiddler on the Roof is a perennially powerful musical about the exquisite joys and devastating sadnesses of daily life. Its lasting power as a piece of theatre comes from the loveable, familiar characters and their recognizable experiences that resonate with audiences of all ages. One key to the show, for me, is how the people of Anatevka pursue life’s joys – love, family, and freedom – in the face of great sorrows. There is so much humor and love among the people of Anatevka, and their highs are a strong contrast to the pain of their status as outcasts.”
Matt is new to VLO but certainly not to the Valley’s music scene. As he noted in his letter to the VLO board, “For the past two decades, my professional life has been deeply woven into the artistic and educational fabric of the Pioneer Valley.” Matt currently serves as the music director for the Springfield Honors Academy, where he oversees all aspects of the musical theatre and instrumental programs, and is also the conductor of the Springfield Symphony Youth Orchestra’s Sinfonia. He recently led a collaboration between Sinai Temple and Pan Opera featuring a review of Jewish musical theater composers. This June, they are producing a concert version of Kander and Ebb’s Cabaret. Additionally, through his work with the Pioneer Valley Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Matt is already familiar with many members of the VLO orchestra.
Complete information about auditions for Fiddler will be detailed in a forthcoming email, but we can share that they are scheduled for Friday, April 17th through Sunday, April 19th, with callbacks on Monday, April 20th. An audition workshop will be held on Monday, April 13th, for anyone who would like to take advantage of it. In this low-stress setting, participants will be able to look at the audition and rehearsal space, try their song, and meet a few of the people who will hear them during the actual audition.
Performance dates and times for Fiddler are Thursday, November 5th and Friday, November 6th (evening shows with a 7:30 curtain), and Saturday, November 7th and Sunday, November 8th (2:00 matinees), with rehearsals to take place in September, October, and early November.
Think about it: VLO and Fiddler! This show will be epic! Make plans now to be part of it. Try out for your favorite role, or pitch in as a costumer (all skill levels are welcome) or a member of the set-building crew. Or simply take your place in the audience come November.