Dundee-Crown students find common ground in "Fiddler"
The students at Dundee-Crown High School bring audiences back to the traditions and values of early 20th century Russia this weekend with their production of "Fiddler on the Roof."
The play is a change from the usual musicals in recent years, which tend to be comedies, explains Director Lisa Bettcher. But part of the fun is the challenge in making the show come together.
"I love these last two weeks and watching everything come together," said Bettcher. "It's a challenge but I love that and I thrive on that."
The cast enjoys the work as well and embraces the challenge of playing characters so different from who they are. Junior Jessica Wendt plays Golde, the mother of five girls and wife to a man strong in his traditions, which is a drastic change from everyday life.
"I have to play an older mother from Russia," said Wendt, "but I don't have children, I'm not in Russia, and I'm not very old. You have to figure out how it would be back then."
Even with the challenges the play presents, the cast enjoys the time they spend working on the play and the people with whom they work.
"I think the relationships you make (is the best part)," said junior Nick Hartland, who plays Tevye. "You're here with the same people every day and they become your family."
The idea of family is a good one for the cast to keep in mind, since it's a central theme of the musical. "Fiddler on the Roof" is the tale of a traditional Jewish family in the small Russian village of Anatevka in 1905. Tevye, a devoted husband to the strong-willed Golde and father of five girls, is rooted in the long-standing traditions of his ancestry and religion. So when his daughters start trying to take their lives in their own hands rather than living out Tevye's ideals, family members find themselves being pulled in different directions.
Amid the struggles of Jews against violent Russians and Tevye's inner struggle of changing with the world, the tight-knit family must work hard to find balance in turbulent surroundings.
The musical debuted in 1964 and went on to become the first musical to put on over 3,000 performances, a record it held for 10 years. Since its first Broadway run, it has seen years of revivals and was made into a popular movie in 1971.
The cast knows the popularity of the musical and embraces the unique characters they portray.
"(I enjoy) the passion of the role," said junior Brandon Stone, who plays the radical Perchik. "Perchik is incredibly passionate about making a change in the world."
And, keeping the family idea in mind, everyone in the cast makes sure to pitch in and put on the best show possible.
"The main cast in the show is big," said Hartland. "Everyone has a role and a big part. Every character is critical to the whole show."
While working on the play is rewarding, the actors and crew are confident that the depth of the play will please the audience.
"The audience gets so many emotions," said Stone. "So many conflicts and different themes go on throughout the musical. It's incredibly faceted with many parallels to today."
Cast of 'Fiddler on the Roof'Molly Ahern, Tess Barnes, Carolina Bieri, Chloe Boelter, Zach Craft, Jenna Cristino, Nicole Daniel, Deena Delghingaro, Tessa Dettman, Mikayla Doran, Dacotah Dudley, Kyle Efken, Kevin Fernandes, Kyle Fernandes, Nick Foulk Voegeli, Kim Gasiciel, Emma Gentile, Christina Gilligan, Mandy Groch, Kelsey Hartland, Nick Hartland, Kelly Hof, Anastasia Jareckyj, Dan Jaskowiak, Carrie Johnsen, Deanna Jones, Brandon Jordan, Jimmy Knapp, Kelli Krueger, Joe Kuczynski, Lindsay Lleras, Karlena Livengood, Zachary Lum, Alex Lundquist, Melliza Malabanan, Jeff Marschke, Talitha Matulac, Dylan McCarthy, Katie McDonnell, Jordan Miller, Jenny Modlisz, Nikolai Morse, David Nellessen, Andrew Nemec, Joe Nocchi, Lauren O'Neill, Zach Olafson, Chester Pajarillo, Gina Paxson, Kaitlin Pflanz, Nicole Popovich, Alyssa Realzola, Rogelio Realzola, Lillian Reasor, Tatianna Rio-Ramirez, Dale Roehrig, Brandon Rohlwing, Stephen Roos, Taylor Shepard, Sarah Simon, Alex Sisti, Nick Spindler, Corey Stallings, Brandon Stone, Nathan Stone, Patrick Sullivan, Griffin Thorne, Sara Tompkins, Kayleigh Weir, Jessica Wendt, Lauren Wendt, Emily Wirkus, Dan Zozokos, Jeff ZumbekFalse20001675The ladies gather around Motel the tailor, played by Nick Spindler, to see his new sewing machine during a rehearsal for the Dundee-Crown High School production of "Fiddler on the Roof" in Carpentersville. The show opens at 7 p.m. today.Rick West | Staff PhotographerFalse <p class="factboxheadblack">If you go</p><p class="News"><b>What:</b> Dundee-Crown High School's production of "Fiddler on the Roof"</p><p class="News"><b>When:</b> 7 p.m. today, Friday, and Saturday; April 22, 23, and 24</p><p class="News"><b>Where:</b> Dundee-Crown High School, 1500 Kings Road, Carpentersville</p><p class="News"><b>Tickets:</b> $8, $6 for students and senior citizens</p><p class="News"><b>Call:</b> (224) 484-5000</p>