The Eleva-Strum Central High School cast of Fiddler on the Roof.

Bit of tradition visits Eleva-Strum

Student troupe to perform well-known musical

by Doug Sands

Tradition; this one powerful word carries much weight in our local communities. Our traditions are present everywhere we look. This is especially true as we near the holiday season, when we gather for age-old family celebrations serving family recipes, which are once again gracing the family table.

For some, tradition is not simply an ideal to be observed; it is a way of life. Such is the case in pre-Russian Revolution Anatevka, a fictional Jewish town in western Russia, in 1905. This small Jewish town’s traditions--and the adventures that arise when these traditions are challenged--are the basis for Fiddler on the Roof, a renowned musical soon to be performed at Eleva-Strum High School.

The plot of Fiddler on the Roof follows a poor Jewish milkman named Tevye as he attempts to find proper husbands for his three teenage daughters. Tevye is a tradition-bound man. His values come into conflict as his daughters break traditional matchmaking standards.

Musical directors Holly Shattuck and John Artisensi have been helping the young actors at Eleva-Strum grow into their characters this fall as opening night approaches. This duo has directed the past three musicals at Eleva-Strum, Fiddler on the Roof included. Both say that this musical has the potential to become the greatest production since their start.

This comes as no small praise, as Fiddler on the Roof is no easy production to put on.

“It’s a very complex musical,” Shattuck said. “It has a lot of comedic elements, but it also has a lot of human elements. It’s for all audiences. It has history in it, so if you’re looking for a show that covers a wide variety of emotions, songs and acting, then this is a great musical to go to.”

Artisensi spoke to great lengths about the talent that has come forward in this musical.

“I love our talent,” he said. “It seems like we’ve got more people who are excited about doing it. In our first year with Into the Woods, people were still unsure of what this was going to be all about; they didn’t know the story. [Students] were a little more hesitant to audition and try out for it. Fiddler on the Roof is more well-known, and kids really came out to participate in this. I’m really excited that we’ve got so many talented people.”

Fiddler on the Roof is turning out to be a massive production. After a recent headcount, Artisensi had a rough estimate of the total cast: with the elementary actors and pit band included, there are well over 60 people involved in the production.

Shattuck explained that a musical like Fiddler on the Roof requires a large amount of talented individuals.

“There are many roles that are very important,” Shattuck said. “That has been the case in previous musicals, but in previous musicals--for example, Into the Woods--it was a smaller cast. In Bye Bye Birdie, all of the people were important, but moreso in a group dynamic. In this musical, there are several characters that play an important role individually.”

With a number of star roles in this musical, Shattuck has been focused on developing the characters with the actors and actresses. Along with character, Shattuck explained that she has been busy working the dance numbers.

“Our school does have a little bit of a weak spot when it comes to dancing, so choreography has been a struggle,” she said with a smile.

Another issue for the production has been attendance, as students attempt to incorporate rehearsal times into their schedules and shared a few words of frustration at the idea some characters are less important than others, which leads to less work put into the musical by some of the actors who are not the principal characters in the show.

Despite this challenge, the cast has grown into a tightly knit group striving for a single goal. Shattuck attributes this to the strong senior leadership among the cast.

“Every night and day that we’re here, we’re fixing all the little problems, and we’re filling the little gaps,”Artisensi said. “People are constantly working on the stage, on the set; I’m messing with the lights while people are onstage working their lines and songs. It’s going to be a great production.”

He commented that every performance gives the actors a new chance to improve themselves.

“By the third [show], it always seems to be the best one, and then we feel, ‘My gosh, it’s done now. We could go on and perform more productions,'” Artisensi said, pausing. “It’s going to be worth the price of admission for sure.”

Tickets for the production are $7. These tickets may be purchased in advance at the Eleva-Strum Central High School office or at the door. Eleva-Strum’s Fiddler on the Roof runs at 7 p.m. on Nov. 14-15 and at 2 p.m. on Nov. 16 for a matinee show on Sunday.

For Shattuck and Artisensi, the musical is not only a great way to entertain the community; it is also an opportunity to give something valuable to their students.

“I hope the community realizes that the arts are very important in our schools,” Artisensi said. “It involves such a wide variety of the kids here. It is a way for other students who maybe aren’t involved with sports or other [extracurricular programs] to come out and to really shine on the stage, to get their opportunity to be involved with a really positive, really exciting experience.”

He also said that for many, the musical has been an eye-opening experience.

“Being in a huge production, seeing what goes into it, makes you think,” Artisensi said. “Whether [the students] have a major or minor role, or they’re part of the crew or the pit orchestra, they see how all these pieces of the puzzle fit together for a huge common goal. It’s really neat to see it come together. It’s just a great experience for everybody involved.”

As these actors and actresses prepare themselves for opening night, the directors are mindful of keeping everyone rested and healthy for the production. Even though the musical can be taxing on the individual, Artisensi is confident these performers will be ready to fly on opening night.

“Coming onstage, stepping out there into the lights, it just gets energy going,” Artisensi said. “That’s why I love the theater. People can be transformed into something else. They just step into the spotlight, so to speak, and there’s an instant energy. You can tell the people that really thrive from that. It’s exciting to be around.”

Note: The writer is personally involved in the production of this musical.

 

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