Tickets are going fast for Trinity Western University鈥檚 production of Fiddler on the Roof, playing March 13 to 31 at TWU鈥檚 School of the Arts, Media and Culture.
This festive co-production by the Music and Theatre departments will ring in the university鈥檚 50th year with a cast of 22 performers, accompanied by SAMC鈥檚 popular Klezmer Ensemble.
The timeless story takes place in pre-revolutionary Russia, where a small community of Jewish villagers cope with their uncertain future by clinging to the ideals of their past.
鈥淗ow do we keep our balance? Tradition!鈥� sings Tevye, who expects his beautiful daughters to marry whomever the matchmaker chooses for them. But Tevye鈥檚 daughters belong to a new world. They鈥檇 rather marry for love than consult a matchmaker 鈥� or a father. In this story of faith and family, Tevye discovers which traditions are most precious; and which ones might just be changing for the better.
鈥淲hat鈥檚 important in the end is not so much tradition itself but the truths behind it,鈥� says Mountain Secondary grad Vincent Clements, 鈥渓ike living a life devoted to God and loving your family and neighbours.鈥�
Donning his best Klezmer attire, Clements is proud to be the foundation of the Fiddler on the Roof band鈥檚 sound, playing acoustic bass guitar and contra-alto clarinet (the 鈥渂ig brother of the clarinet family,鈥� as he likes to say).
鈥淚 think people would be surprised by what a seven-piece band can do,鈥� he said.
鈥淢any of us can play several different instruments, so the variety is sure to keep the audience on their toes. We鈥檒l also be mingling with the cast onstage for portions of the show.
鈥淚鈥檓 looking forward to those cool interactions with characters.鈥�
TWU students first performed the show for the school鈥檚 25th anniversary in 1987.
The musical returns this spring for the 50th, kicking off 35 days of arts events at the third annual Festival of the Arts, Media and Culture. The show is directed by Aaron Caleb with musical direction by Allan Thorpe, vocal coaching by Caroline Harder, and choreography by Andrea Loewen.
Playing March 13 鈥� 31 at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday with Saturday matinees only. Special pricing on the first Tuesday. For tickets and information, visit www.twu.ca/theatre or email theatre@twu.ca.
Explore the Festival of the Arts, Media and Culture at www.twu.ca/samc.
