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• Oct 3rd 2011 8:00 pm

Hinchley Manor Operatic Society (HMOS) are delighted to announce that their next production will be FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, Tuesday 6th – Saturday 10th March 2012 at The Adrian Mann Theatre, Nescot, Reigate Road, Ewell, Surrey, KT17 3DS.

Director – Chris Malone
MD – Ana Lopez
Choreographer – to be confirmed

Our audition dates for the parts listed below are 7.45pm Monday October 17th and 7.45pm Friday October 21st 2011 at Surbiton Hill Methodist Church, 39 Ewell Road, Surbiton, Surrey. KT6 6AF – New members wanted – particularly MEN.

Visit our website www.hmos.org.uk for more information and a contact email address.

Fiddler on the Roof is without doubt one of the most beloved stage musicals of the second half of the 20th century. It is an impressive musical, which features a dramatically solid plot, it deals with serious issues such as persecution and poverty, letting comedy give way to gravity as the anti-Jewish sentiment rises, with bright song-and-dance numbers punctuating nearly every key scene.. A central theme is how the old traditions are disintegrating under the pressure of a culture that is being re-shaped by industrialisation and mechanisation.

Fiddler on the Roof takes place around 1905 in Anatevka, a small village in Russia. It is an uncertain time and revolves around the story of Tevye, the philosophical village milkman, and his sharp tongued wife, Golde, and his five daughters as he strives, very hard to keep up the traditions of his faith, race and culture. Tevye’s world is challenged by impending change.

Tevye has a personal relationship with God, in whom he confides all, as reveals his creed in his opening monologue: “A fiddler on the roof. Sounds crazy, no? But in our little village of Anatevka, you might say every one of us is a fiddler on the roof, trying to scratch out a pleasant, simple tune without breaking his neck. It isn’t easy. You may ask, why do we stay here if it’s so dangerous? We stay because Anatevka is our home. And how do we keep our balance? That I can tell you in a word—tradition!”

One of those traditions is the means by which Jews have been married: a matchmaker chooses a wife for a man, the girl’s father approves the match, and the ceremony is held. That’s how Tevye and Golde, were united, and that’s how the hard-working milkman believes his five daughters should find their husbands. Yente, the matchmaker, does her best, but with no money, no dowry to offer she finds that her work is very difficult.

Tzeitel, his eldest daughter, has other, modern ideas. She rejects the butcher Lazar Wolf, to whom Tevye has promised her, in favor of her childhood sweetheart, the poor tailor Motel. Reluctantly, Tevye eventually assents to her choice, but, in doing so, he acknowledges the freedom of all his children.

The “new way” is that children shall decide partners for themselves but will Golde, accept this change in traditional values? Tevye conjures up a dream with the appearance, of Golde’s Grandmother Tzeitel and Lazar’s deceased first wife, Fruma-Sarah, who tell of dire consequences of Lazar remarrying, he persuades Golde that Lazar Wolf is not a good match and that Grandmother Tzeitel would much prefer her granddaughter to marry the tailor. This is the first chink in the breakdown of traditional values.

At the wedding ceremony between Motel and Tzeitel, there is a pogrom, an anti-Jewish demonstration, orchestrated by the Constable which casts into doubt the stability of Jewish life in Tsarist Russia. It is certainly a portent for things to come.

Subsequently, his second daughter, Hodel, falls in love with Perchik, a political student, an activist against the repressive regime. Tevye refuses to give his permission for Hodel and Perchik to marry but they inform Tevye that they do not wish to seek his permission to marry but merely his blessing. Traditions are obviously changing. Later, Perchik is arrested and is sent to Siberia. Hodel goes to join him. She promises her father they will be married, under a canopy, in the traditional Jewish way, Her father accompanies her to the railway station to bid her farewell.

Then Chava, his third daughter has fallen for a Russian soldier, by the name of Fyedka. Not only is he Russian, he is not a Jew and the bending of tradition this far is something that Tevye cannot reconcile himself to. From this point on, Chava ceases to be his daughter and is shunned.

Meanwhile, Anatevka itself is under threat. The Jews are being forced to leave their homes and many of them decide to go to live in America where many of them have friends and relations. That is to where Tevye and Golde and the two youngest children are to go. Motel and Tzeitel, who now have a child of their own, will join them. Chava and Fyedka, wanted by neither Jew nor Russian, go to live in Poland.

Fiddler on the Roof is imbued with Jewishness without being narrow-minded. The show’s emphasis on family and religious interactions against a backdrop of a disintegrating social order gives it a universality that transcends time, place, and ethnicity, the indomitable spirit of the Jewish people lives on in all of them.

The success of the show is due largely to its superb musical score. The opening number, “Tradition” is a joyous celebration of life, as is the wedding number “To Life.” The waltzes “Matchmaker” and “Sunrise, Sunset” capture the nostalgia of bygone traditions and the passing of time, while Tevye’s splendidly dramatic monologue, “If I Were a Rich Man,” is one of the great soliloquies of the musical theatre. Tevye and Golde’s comic duet “Do You Love Me?” is a frank expression of the love that can develop between two people over a lifetime. This expression of matrimony based on traditional matchmaking is contrasted with the “modern” concept of marriage based on love and choice in “Now I Have Everything” and “Miracle of Miracles.” The show ends with the haunting “Anatevka” as the villagers think of their future, they sing fondly of the village they are leaving behind.

Characters
Featured Roles

Tevye, the Dairyman: Age range 45 – 60, Baritone
Tevye is a likeable, hard-working, pious man who sees the positive side of life. He has raised his five daughters according to the Scriptures, many of which he invents himself. He is humorous and relaxed, but when pushed, Tevye can show stubbornness, and at times, rage. He sings several solos including “Tradition”, “If I Were A Rich Man”, “To Life”, “Sunrise, Sunset”, and “Do You Love Me?” Tevye carries a good portion of the show.

Golde, Tevye’s wife: Age range 40 – 60, Mezzo
Golde is the real strength behind Tevye, the one who keeps the household going. She is very concerned that her daughters make good matches and have easier lives than she and Tevye have had. Golde must be a strong singer with comic timing. She sings “Tradition”, “Sunrise, Sunset”, “Do You Love Me”, and “Anatevka”. And she has lots of funny lines.

Yente, the matchmaker: Age range 40 -70, Alto
Yente is a middle-aged widow who matches up the young people of the village in the hopes that they will marry. She is the village busybody and knows all the news of the town. Yente is the comedienne of the show, and a flare for an eastern Jewish accent is a plus. She sings “Tradition” and “Anatevka”.

Lazar Wolf, the butcher: Age range 40 – 70, Baritone
Lazar is the town’s wealthiest citizen and is the same age as Tevye, maybe even older. He wants to marry, by traditional parental arrangement, Tevye’s daughter, Tzeitel, promising to give her a good and secure life. This is a feisty, comic role requiring an actor with comic timing who can be loud. Lazar sings “To Life” as well as “Tradition” and “Anatevka.”

Tzeitel, the eldest daughter: Age range 18 – Mid 20’s, Mezzo
Tzeitel is the first daughter to marry and the first to challenge the traditions. She has a desperate crying scene with Tevye when faced with marrying Lazar Wolf instead of Motel, who she really loves. Tzeitel must be a capable dramatic actress and able to sing and move well. She sings the trio, “Matchmaker” with her two sisters, as well as “Tradition” and “Anatevka”.

Motel, the Tailor: Age range 18 – Mid 20’s, Tenor
Motel is a rather meek and miserably poor tailor who seeks the hand of Tevye’s eldest daughter, Tzeitel, and comes into his own in the process! This is a terrific character role needing a sensitive, nervous, but lovable portrayal. He sings “Tradition” and “Anatevka” and has one blockbuster solo, “Miracle of Miracles”.

Hodel , the second eldest daughter: Age range 17 – Mid 20’s, Mezzo
Hodel becomes intrigued with the radical, young student, Perchik , and eventually leaves Anatevka to join him in Siberia where he has been imprisoned for his reform activities. Hodel needs to move well, and sings “Matchmaker” and the haunting solo, “Far From The Home I Love” as she says goodbye to her father at the train station,

Perchik, the student: Age range 21 – 30, Tenor
Perchik is a visitor to Anatevka, and therefore, an outsider. He brings with him radical new ideas that challenge the traditions. He falls for Hodel, the second eldest daughter. The role requires an actor capable of showing intensity and an unfailing commitment to his beliefs. This is a non-singing role, will sing in company numbers.

Chava, third eldest daughter: Age 16 – 20, Mezzo
Chava is the scholarly daughter who loves to read. She falls in love with and runs off with Fyedka, a Russian soldier, and breaks her father’s heart. This role requires a capable dramatic actress who also sings “Matchmaker,” and one who can perform a short but emotional dance.

Fyedka, a Russian soldier: Age range 20 – 30, Tenor
Fyedka, a strong young soldier, sees past his military obligations and falls in love with Chava. He challenges Tevye’s imposed silence towards him. Fyedka sings a solo “To Life” and dances a short Russian dance with his fellow soldiers.

Supporting Roles
Grandma Tzeitel: Age range 40 – 70, Mezzo
Grandma Tzeitel is a ghost figure who appears in the Dream Scene and has a wonderful solo, “Mazeltov”,”Mazeltov”, endorsing the marriage of Tzeitel with Motel, the tailor. It is a very entertaining and memorable role. This actress will also appear as a Villager.

Fruma-Sarah: Age range 30 – 60, Mezzo
Fruma-Sarah is also a ghost figure who appears in the Dream Scene. She portrays LazarWolf’s departed wife who becomes enraged that her husband plans on marrying Tzeitel. It is a show-stopping scene requiring an excellent singer with a strong voice to sing a challenging solo, and the ability to scream loudly (without straining the throat!). This actress will also appear as a Villager.

The Constable: Age range 30 – 60, Spoken
This Russian military official stationed near Anatevka, knows the villagers well, and even likes some of them, particularly Tevye. But these superficial relationships don’t prevent him from carrying out violence against the people. This non-singing role requires a strong, impressive actor who can present this two-faced personality.

Shprintze: Playing age range 12 – 16
The fourth eldest daughter of Tevye & Golde. She takes lessons at home from Perchik & appears in several scenes with some speaking lines. She sings “Tradition” and “Anatevka”.

Bielke: Playing Age range 9 – 14
The youngest daughter of Tevye & Golde. She takes lessons at home from Perchik & appears in several scenes with some speaking lines. She sings “Tradition” and “Anatevka”.

Mordcha: Age range 30 – 60
The Innkeeper runs the bar in the town and is a friend of Tevye. Sings in “Tradition”, “Sunrise, Sunset”, “The Rumor” and “Anatevka”

The Rabbi: Age range 40 – 70, Baritone
Anatevka’s Jewish spiritual leader. Sings in “Tradition”, “The Dream” and “Anatevka”.

Mendel, the Rabbi’s son: Age range 16 – Mid 20’s, Baritone
The Rabbi’s son. He is uncertain of the presence of Perchik in the village. Sings in “Tradition”, “Sunrise, Sunset”, “The Rumor” and “Anatevka”.

Avram, the bookseller: Age range 30 – 60, Baritone
Runs the bookshop in town and keeps the town advised of all of the news in the area. Sings in “Tradition”, “Sunrise, Sunset”, “The Rumor” and “Anatevka”.

Nachum: Age range 30 – 60
The town beggar. Sings in “Tradition”, “Sunrise, Sunset”, “The Rumor” and “Anatevka”.

Yussel: Age range 25 – 60
The town Hatter. Sings in “Tradition”, “Sunrise, Sunset”, “The Rumor” and “Anatevka”.

Shaindel: Age range 40 – 60
The mother of Motel. Sings in “Tradition”, “Sunrise, Sunset”, “The Rumor” and “Anatevka”.

The Fiddler: Age range 18 – 40, Mute
The town fiddler. Non speaking role.

Sasha & Boris: Age range 18 – 30
Fyedka’s Russian friends & fellow soldiers.

Priest Christian spiritual leader: Age range 30 – 50
Will also play a villager. Sings in “Tradition”, “Sunrise, Sunset”, “The Rumor” and “Anatevka”.

The Bottle Dancers:
We will need male dancers who are both athletic and musical, for the tricky but very do-able Russian-style dance whilst balancing bottles on their hats. They will also appear as villagers and sing in “Tradition”, “Sunrise, Sunset”, “The Rumor” and “Anatevka”.

Two Young Males: Playing Age range 12 – 16
Possible suitors for Sprintze & Bielke (small parts, non speaking)

Villagers:
These ensemble members will portray the people of the village as either Mamas, Papas, Daughters, or Sons. Also, Russian soldiers and featured dancers. They will sing “Tradition” “To Life”, “The Dream”, “Sunrise, Sunset”, The Rumor” and “Anatevka”.

Some smaller speaking roles and solos will be determined during rehearsals.

There will be double casting in these areas as needed.

Come along to the Launch Evening on Monday 3rd October 2011 @8pm at Surbiton Hill Methodist Church, 39 Ewell Road, Surbiton, Surrey. KT6 6AF and meet the Production Team and learn more about this exciting show.

We look forward to seeing you there.