A Buccaneer Newspaper Article about
"Fiddler on the Roof"

Here's a story about the show by Kim Rose, who was features editor of Park Center High School's newspaper, the Buccaneer. This is how the story actually appeared in the November 1977 issue of the paper:

Traditions?... They're fading fast. We seem to live more for what's happening today and to forget the past.

This year's musical, "Fiddler on the Roof", shows how one family copes with its disappearing traditions. The story is set in Russia during the revolution.

"The show is extremely challenging and a difficult one to portray," says director Ed Anthony, "This is due to the difficuly of bringing out the serious acting and singing." He and Terry Nodberg are the play's artistic directors.

Anthony feels that another difficulty is the familiarity of the play. "Most people have seen the movie." He adds, "We are very excited about the potential of the cast, and with a lot of hard work and perspiration we will have a good production."

The play opened tonight at 8 pm with other performances on November 12, 17, 18, and 19. Those working on the production were interviewed during rehearsals.

Student director Jane Clark (12), says concerning directing, "I like it!" Clark student-directed last year's one-act play, 'The Imaginary Invalid.' She adds, "The music is coming along fine."

Kevin Slator (12), is the play's lead as Tevye, the father of five daughters. Slator comments, "Everyone is working very hard and the cast is coming together."

"I think the cast is very strong in all areas -- In acting as well as singing." He likes the play mostly because "It's a combination of two of my favorite things -- music and drama." Slator adds, "I would become a professional actor of things work out."

Golde, the mother in the family, is played by Lin Krippner [12]. She states, 'Fiddler on the Roof' could quite conceivably be Park Center's best play.' Krippner notes from watching rehearsal every night she can, "see the characters getting better and better."

"I'm very excited about it," says Mike Lane (11). He plays Perchik. "At the rate we're going it will be a very good production," he adds.

Kim O'Connell (12), who is a part of the play's chorus, says, "At first it seems very frustrating trying to get our parts and fit them together. The practices seem long and at times very tiring. When the final weeks before the opening performance roll along the cast gets very excited. Afterwards you feel good about the hard work put into making the production."

Jane Tyler (11) plays Grandmother Tzeital. She says, "I like it, I think it's a good play." Tyler likes everyone involved, "They're really neat," she comments.

There are many crews involved in working on the play backstage. These include lighting, set construction, publicity, running set, makeup and costumes.

The set construction crew has worked very hard, and according to Lane, "It's a difficult set to build."

Set construction has also slightly extended the stage into the orchestra pit to make room for more on stage.

"You couldn't have the play without the crews," says Krippner. "It's fine to have a cast but if the cast has to do everything they can't do a sufficient job."

The makeup crew will be wroking hard getting ready for the production, according to Bard Lauer, the show's makeup director. They have a lot of beards to put on this year and that will be one of their hardest tasks.

"We hope to have one crew member's cousin, who works at the Guthrie theater as a makeup master, come over and talk to us," says Lauer.

She is expecting the crew to "run as efficiently as last year."

Terry Winn, the plays's costume director, really enjoys working on the play and feels, "the kids are just great!"

About the costumes for this year, she comments, "It's harder than other years, mainly because of the time period and the religious aspect."

She adds, "It's going as usual; we will have to make changes after we see everybody on stage."

The lighting crew works during the performance changing the ligths whenever needed. Dan Lane (10), says there will be some special lighting in the play. It will be needed during a scene in which Tevye has a dream and also at other times throughout the play. They have worked hard planning and getting their cues down.

The running set works during the play, changing the set. The audience probably won't see them because they wear black clothing and do their work when the lights go down.

Marilyn Snaza (12), enjoyed working on the running set last year and is planning on it again. Snaza comments, "It was a lot of fun, and I'm looking forward to it this year."

The orchestra is working under the directionof John Hamilton. "I think it's progressing normally," comments Hamilton. "We have to co-ordinate with the people on stage."

Cindy Helseth (12), who plays the flute and piccolo, feels that the music is a challenge. Helseth says, "Once you practice enough you can get it though."

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Created on May 7, 2002; revised on August 9, 2002.