originally published: 06/25/2014
(BEACH HAVEN, NJ) -- Fiddler on the Roof, the Tony Award-winning musical that has captured the hearts of people all over the world with its universal appeal, continues Surflight Theatre's 65th Anniversary Season from July 9 through 27. Directed and choreographed by Norb Joerder, with music direction by Henco Espag.
A timeless classic, Fiddler on the Roof features a score by Jerry Bock (music) and Sheldon Harnick (lyrics), with a book by Joseph Stein, based on the stories of Sholom Aleichem. One of the beloved musical scores in the history of the American theatre includes "Tradition," "Matchmaker, Matchmaker," "If I Were a Rich Man," and "Sunrise, Sunset."
Fiddler on the Roof stars Matt Ban as Tevye and Sheri Sanders as Golde. Also featured are Ali Gleason (Tzeitel), Josephine Patane (Chava), Elizabeth Ritacco (Hodel), Dan Zimberg (Motel), David C. Kreines (Rabbi), Mary Ellen Ashley (Yente), Shannon Harrington (Bielke), Tom DeMichele (Perchik), Nadia Jewel/Nina Randazzo (Shprintze), Patrick Ludt (Fyedka), Raymond Sambolan (Lazar Wolf), and Tom Orr (Constable). The ensemble includes Robert Abdoo, Amanda Lynn Fannon, Jacob January, Ronnie Keller, Morgan McCann, Brian Martin, Amelia Millar, Ryan PJ Mulholland, Nicole Picinic, Grant Snuffer, Kelly Swint, and Janet Wiggins.
Matt Ban returns to Surflight having been an apprentice in the summer of 2009. He has since toured the country in Monty Python's Spamalot and Rock of Ages. He made his Broadway debut in Rock of Ages as Dennis, October 2013, and returns to the NY run in August. Sheri Sanders known for her “Rock the Audition" makes her Surflight debut as Golde. She played Becky Two Shoes in the national tour of Urinetown, HAIR at Encores! and was featured in the title role of NYMF's The Screams of Kitty Genovese.
Mary Ellen Ashley returns to Surflight to play Yente the Matchmaker. She made her Broadway debut in 1943 and was in the original cast of Annie Get Your Gun as one of Ethel Merman's sisters.
Surflight's production will feature scenic design by Gateway Playhouse, costumes by Stacey Jeungling, lighting design by Benjamin Weill, and sound design by Mark Keeler. Liz Ann Howell is production stage manager.
An audience favorite nearly 50 years after its stage debut, very few musicals have so magically woven music, dance, poignancy and laughter into such an unforgettable experience. Produced by Harold Prince, directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins, and starring Zero Mostel, Fiddler on the Roof opened at Broadway's Imperial Theatre September 22, 1964, where it experienced unprecedented success running 3,264 performances and winning nine Tony Awards. The musical received international attention thanks to the 1971 United Artists motion picture adaptation featuring Topol. In 1991 and 2004, Fiddler on the Roof was revived on Broadway and received even more Tony Awards for Best Revival of a Musical (1991) Best Orchestrations (2004) and nominations in 2004 for Best Revival of a Musical and Best Actor.
Surflight Theatre is located at 201 Engleside Avenue in historic Beach Haven, NJ. Performances are Tuesday through Saturday at 8pm, Matinees are Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday at 2pm. Tickets: 45. Call (609) 492-9477 or online at www.surflight.org.
