Manchester Drama Club Presents “Fiddler on the Roof” This Weekend
Final preparations took place this past weekend during the dress rehearsal for this upcoming weekend’s showings of Fiddler on the Roof which will be held at the High School Auditorium. Last minute painting, costumes, set changes…all so that the audience – you – can sit back and enjoy one great show!
The production, put on by the Manchester Drama Club, will show Friday and Saturday at 7:00 pm and Sunday at 2:00 pm. Tickets will be available at the door 45 minutes before each show but often sell out quickly. Doors open 30 minutes before each show. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for students and senior citizens.
Fiddler 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 family and Jewish religious traditions while outside influences encroach upon their lives. According to their tradition, they have to rely on the village matchmaker, Yente, to find them husbands though that doesn’t always coincide with Tevye’s daughter’s choices.
The auditions for Fiddler occurred back in January and since the end of January, the students, their parents, staff, and other volunteers have been preparing for this weekend. Rehearsing 4 to 5 times per week, sometimes from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm, can be a lot of pressure for a student, particularly if the student is involved in other sports or organizations. However, if a student is heavily involved with another sport, it is recommended that he/she not try out for a lead role, but rather a chorus position. That being said, the teachers and coaches are fully committed to the students and most of them work very well with accommodating the student’s desire to participate in more than one program at a time.
There are 54 students cast for parts in the show. Almost that many additional students help in some fashion behind the scenes to pull it all together, resulting in nearly 100 students total involved in this production; some work on set design, others work backstage, and some even work on the business end of it with printing of tickets and advertising.
An incredible number of parents and staff are also vital in putting all of this together. Ms Duncan, Language Arts teacher and Drama Club advisor, indicated that she “couldn’t do this without the parents.” The parents really have fun with these shows too. “These parents get to see their kids and their friends in this atmosphere” where they are creative and enjoying themselves. Once the students get past the auditions, it is really a non-competitive atmosphere where the kids work together.
The time has come. The cast and volunteers are ready and waiting. See you at the show!
If you have questions about the High School Drama Club or the Fiddler on the Roof production, contact Ms. Duncan at eprosser@mcs.k12.mi.us or call the High School at (734) 428-7333.
Thomas O’Hotzke preparing for the lead role of Tevye.
The girls are in their dressing room getting ready as well.
Students just getting started on their make-up and costumes…getting ready for a full day of dress rehearsal.
One of the many volunteers helping the actors into costume! The material used for the headpiece just needed a small adjustment.
Hair is being sprayed black in preparation for her part. The can ran out right after this picture. I hope they found another one to spray the other half!
This is the incredible workshop where all of the props are created. Wow! This space is used for the high school shop classes and it is not unusual for a student to become interested in helping build the sets for the plays because of their involvement in classes.
One week to go and still working on the set! Not to worry, everything will be ready for the audiences as they fill in this weekend!
Some pieces of the set was literally still being painted on Saturday morning. Everything is getting finishing touches prior to the big day!
These actors would not make it through a full day without food. Throughout the day, snacks, beverages, and even pizza was delivered to keep everyone going through the dress rehearsal.
Musicians coordinated the music with every move onstage. Outstanding sound coming from the pit.
…and the acting begins…every word from every scene was gone through – AT LEAST once!
That’s mine. That’s mine. That’s mine…and…(come see the show to understand!)
Ms. Duncan makes some last minute adjustments on where the actors stand (according to height). The entire day was spent making last minute adjustments, ensuring sound and viewing quality, and navigating through set changes. Preparation! Preparation! Preparation!
Beautiful voices are being amplified electronically to ensure the audience doesn’t miss a word. This does, however, require a little tape sometimes! Ah, show business!
The show is filled with beautiful song and dancing. So glad Fiddler was chosen for this year.
Thomas O’Hotzke is Tevye, the lead in Fiddler on the Roof. See you at the show!
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