BLUEFIELD, Va. -The classic musical Fiddler on the Roof tells the story of a Jewish father trying to lead his five daughters in a changing world during a time of oppression from Imperial Russia.
“In one word, definitely ‘tradition.’ Like, the first line, the first song says it all,” says Ariel Haynes, who is playing Chava, one of the daughters.
“It’s a beautiful story about a family and just a big community coming together in, like, a really hard time historically,” says Isabella Deel, who is playing Hodel, another one of the daughters.
This will mark twenty years since the university originally performed the musical.
But the classic story won’t be the only thing returning, with Bluefield University theater leaders and real-life husband and wife Charles Reese and Rebecca McCoy-Reese returning to the stage to play the married leads, Tevye and Golde. Reese says they wanted to bring the show back to Bluefield because its message of perseverance in the face of difficulties and coping with a changing world still rings true today and for the chance to reprise these roles two decades later.
“It’s a great character. It’s great to visit him again. I think Rebecca would say the same thing. Golde is a wonderful, strong female character, and… They’re good people,” says Reese.
Despite the age of this classic musical and its historic story, Reese says the younger members of the cast are still having a fun time, even with the long list of lines to learn. We asked Haynes and Deel what they think about bringing these characters to life.
“It’s a little bit intimidating because so many people love these characters so much, so, for me, I just really want to be able to do it justice, you know?” says Deel.
“Yeah, I do as well. I loved the story since I was really little because my dad has always loved this musical, so I’m just so excited that I’m going to be able to have this opportunity,” says Haynes.
Reese encourages people not to miss this show, saying it’s not every day that you get to see a show from more than half a century ago, brought to life again.
“Come, it is very funny; you will laugh. It’s not all funny; you’re going to cry some at the end…” says Reese, “…The dances are great. The music is good. There’s no reason you don’t want to come see this.”
If you would like to see this Fiddler on the Roof for yourself, it will open on the Bluefield University stage Thursday at 7:30 pm with showings every day through Sunday.
Based on the success of the theater’s previous classic show The Sound of Music, Reese expects tickets to go fast and recommends getting them in advance. You can do so here.
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