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'Fiddler' at 50: Harper College musical opens Nov. 14

Half a century after its Broadway debut, Harper College will stage the classic musical "Fiddler on the Roof," the story of Tevye, a Jewish father attempting to hold on to religious traditions in 19th century Tsarist Russia, while his daughters embrace change.

"With this year marking the 50th anniversary of the show, I thought it would be a good time to visit this classic musical again," said Harper College Theatre Director Kevin Long. "Our fiddler on the roof is trying to balance tradition with a constantly changing world. It sounds exactly like the world today."

The show will run Friday, Nov. 14, through Sunday, Nov. 23, in the Performing Arts Center on the College's main campus, 1200 W. Algonquin Road in Palatine. The Nov. 14 show will be sign-interpreted for the deaf and hard of hearing.

With Tevye's comical observations and a rousing, heartwarming score, the musical delivers a humorous yet poignant story about the enduring bonds of family, love and tradition. To learn more about the play, its setting and history, Long and Professor Richard Middleton-Kaplan will lead a free, preshow Coffee with the Director at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16, and Sunday, Nov. 23, in the Performing Arts Center lobby.

Middleton-Kaplan served as dramaturge, a position that works to ensure the production is historically and culturally accurate.

"At its core, 'Fiddler' is about finding a way to adapt in a changing world without losing the essence of who we are, our heritage, our beliefs," Long said. "Change can paralyze us with fear. Yet, like the people of Anatevka, every culture and generation must evolve and embrace new ideas as the world changes."

Alice and Bill Brown, a married couple from Arlington Heights, play Golde and Tevye. Courtesy of Harper College
If he were a rich man ... Tevye ponders life as a wealthy landowner, lording it over the citizens of Anatevka. Courtesy of Harper College

If you go

What: 'Fiddler on the Roof'

When: Nov. 14-Nov. 23; 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and at 2 p.m. Sundays

Where: Performing Arts Center on the Harper College main campus, 1200 W. Algonquin Road, Palatine

Cost: $12-$15

For more: A free, preshow Coffee with the Director is at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16, and Sunday, Nov. 23, in the Performing Arts Center lobby.

Info: Box Office at (847) 925-6100 or harpercollege.edu/boxoffice.

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