03.14.2008
Statesville Christian presents ‘Fiddler on the Roof’
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Heather Baynes and Ben Godsell in Statesville Christian School’s production of Fiddler on the Roof. Bruce Matlock photo. |
Each spring, Statesville Christian School’s student musical is another chance to share Christian faith, director Daphne Lomax said.
“The goal when we put on the musicals is to always try and present the gospel in some form,” Lomax said. “People from the community come to see our productions, and we see it as another avenue to express what we believe.”
This weekend, Statesville Christian takes audiences back to 1905 Tsarist Russia for three performances in which students will sing, dance and shout “Mozoltov!” in the Broadway classic, “Fiddler on the Roof.”
“It’s a classic play about faith and holding onto the root of your faith even when tempted by other things,” music director Kathy Estes said. “We wanted to teach the kids to enjoy your traditions, but above all, maintain your Christian faith.”
“Fiddler” is the story of the dairyman Tevye (played by James Dawson) and his five daughters and his attempts to maintain their religious traditions while outside influences encroach upon their lives.
Tevye must cope with the strong-willed actions of his three older daughters - each daughter’s choice of husband moves progressively further from established customs - and with the edict of the Tsar that evicts the Jews from their village.
“Tevye is cool because he wanted to keep his traditions until finally they challenged the core of what he believed,” Estes said. “(‘Fiddler’) is just a fabulous classic, but it also teaches us a lot about the Jewish history that came before and established the foundations for Christianity.”
Choreographer Trish Dale said her goal with the play’s elaborately staged dance scenes was “not to make dancers out of (students); just to make them seem like they’re having a ball. Make them all look like they are just enjoying this big, wonderful feast.”
Dawson takes on his first leading role as Tevye after supporting parts in “Once Upon A Mattress” and “Guys and Dolls.”
“I think we’re more prepared for this than for anything else we’ve ever done,” Dawson said. “The sets are far more elaborate than what we did for ’Guys and Dolls’ and ’Once Upon A Mattress.’ “
Set director Mark Baynes designed and led construction for the set on the Western Avenue Baptist Fellowship Hall stage. Baynes’ daughter, Heather, portrays Tevye’s oldest daughter in the production, Tzeitel.
“We try to keep it a family affair,” wife and mother Lynn Baynes said.
And helping the production rise up to its name, violin player Hannah Vogel spends four crucial scenes as the Fiddler atop Tevye’s rooftop.
“I’ve been playing violin for 14 years now, so logically they called on me to be the fiddler,” Vogel said.
Video by Bruce Matlock and Russell Ledbetter
Want to go?
WHEN: Friday @ 7:30 p.m., Saturday @ 2 and 8 p.m.
WHERE: West Avenue Baptist Church fellowship hall
HOW MUCH: $6 per person. Families with more than five members will be charged a maximum of $30.
The performance is approximately 90 minutes long with no intermission.
Word on the streets
The Statesville Little Theater presented “Fiddler” many years ago. This play is very ambitious for high school students but these actors appear to be having a good time and are very professional appearing in the video. I am impressed. The Directors have done a super job in just 2 short months of rehearsal. Break a Leg!!!
By Anne Johnson on 03.14.2008
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