Yavapai College Performing Arts brings the vibrant musical to life, April 3-14
The dreams of a poor man in a hardscrabble life. The comic bravery of young lovers defying religious law. The fortunes of a small community, living between the whims of a hostile nation. All these are spun together in a classic musical of a family balancing it all, between sunrise and sunset. The Jim & Linda Lee Performing Arts Center invites you to share the joys, sorrows, pride and tradition of Anatevka when YC Performing Arts presents the Broadway classic Fiddler on the Roof, April 4 – 13 on the Yavapai College Campus.
Inspired by the short stories of Sholem Aleichem, and adapted for the stage by Jerry Bock, Sheldon Harnick and Joseph Stein, Fiddler on the Roof encapsulates the human experience in Tevye, a Milkman with a (sometimes) working horse. Forces as big as the Czar and as small as the secrets of the heart threaten Tevye’s world from within and without, as he struggles to honor his God, provide for his family, and marry off his daughters in Imperialist Russia’s Pale of Settlement during the early 1900’s.
Though specific in its history and ethnicity, Fiddler on the Roof’s wry and heartfelt explorations of marriage, children, dreams and love touch universal chords and have made it a beloved musical worldwide. Fiddler opened on Broadway in 1964, with Zero Mostel in the role of Tevya, and won three Tony awards for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book. Director Norman Jewison adapted the musical into a feature film, featuring Chaim Topol, in 1971, which was nominated for eight Oscars, winning three. With a captivating lead, charming relationships and unforgettable songs, like “Tradition,” “If I Were a Rich Man,” “Matchmaker, Matchmaker” and “Sunrise, Sunset,” Fiddler on the Roof won the hearts of audiences in countless professional and community productions, and revivals everywhere from Great Britain to Israel, Australia and Japan.
The Yavapai College Performing Arts production, under the direction of Dr. Craig Ralston, features Dave Evans as Tevye, Grace Olsen as his wife, Golde, and a student and community cast of more than 40. Delve into the poignant tale of tradition, family, and resilience in a Russian Jewish village, where humor, heart, and unforgettable melodies intertwine to captivate audiences of all ages.
Fiddler on the Roof will premiere Friday, April 4, at 7 p.m., with an Opening Night Post-Show Celebration available. Patrons can meet the cast, enjoy a wine-and-cheese reception and take a backstage tour for $15 a person. Additional performances will be 3 p.m. matinees Saturday, April 5 and Sunday, April 6; a 7 p.m. Friday night show April 11, and 3 p.m. matinees on the final two shows Saturday April 12 and Sunday April 13.
Tickets for Fiddler on the Roof start at $35, with $10 Youth tickets available. The Jim & Linda Lee Performing Arts Center is located on Yavapai College’s Prescott Campus, 1100 E. Sheldon Street. For reservations or more information, please contact The J&LLPAC Ticket Office, open Tuesday - Wednesday from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; and Thursday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. For more information, please call: (928) 776-2000 or visit: www.ycpac.com.