Benedictine Students & Faculty Featured in "Fiddler on the Roof"

Iconic Play Opens at Theatre Atchison Oct. 2

Published: Thursday, October 01, 2015

Students and faculty members from Benedictine College help bring to life one of the most beloved musicals of all time, Fiddler on the Roof, opening Friday, October 2, at 8:00 p.m. at Theatre Atchison, 401 Sante Fe. Performances are scheduled for October 2, 3, 9, and 10 at 8:00 p.m. with 2:00 p.m. matinees on October 4 and 11. Tickets are $8 for students and $12 for the general public and are available through the Theatre Atchison Box Office or at 913-367-7469.
 

Set in the little village of Anatevka, the story centers on Tevye, a poor dairyman, and his five daughters. With the help of a colorful and tight-knit Jewish community, Tevye tries to protect his daughters and instill in them the traditional values in the face of changing social mores and the growing anti-Semitism of Czarist Russia. Rich in historical and ethnic detail, Fiddler on the Roof's universal theme of tradition cuts across barriers of race, class, nationality and religion, leaving audiences crying tears of laughter, joy and sadness.
 

The lead role, Tevye, is handled by Scott Cox, chair of the Benedictine College Department of Theatre and Dance. Derek Trautwein, technical director and an instructor for Theatre and Dance, plays Lazar Wolfe, the butcher and the town’s wealthiest citizen. Benedictine students play a host of other roles, including:
 

Golde, Tevye’s wife     Teresa Moore

Tzietel                         Sarah Smeltzer

Hodel                          Annie Schwaner

Chava                          Danielle Shanahan

Motel                           Michael O’Brien

Perchik                        Peter Volmert

Fyedka                        Gabe Heffernan

Sprintze                       Courtney Crilley

Mordcha                      Von Huber

Rifka                           Diane_Gorrell

Mendel                        Paul Murphy

Rabbi                           Peter Olson

Shaindel                      Danika Lang

Fruma/Sarah                Elizabeth Benda

Sasha/The Beggar       Joseph Sucher

Yussel                         Matthew Phillips

Jacob                           Eamon Mulholland

Merila/Mama                 Mandy Meyer

Ruchel/Daughter            Allison Buell

The play is presented through a collaboration between Theatre Atchison and the Benedictine College Department of Theatre and Dance. The original story was written by Jospeh Stein, music by Jerry Bock, and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick. The play is director by Trevor Belt, a professional theatrical director from Kansas City. Other Benedictine students working on the technical staff include: Rosemary Herold, costume design, with assistants Maura Sweeny and Ayake Takise; Diane Gorrell, makeup design, assistant Regan Stiles; Jordan Reuter and Mary Allard, props design; Angie Lorang, stage manager, with assistants Kate Langton and Sam Garman; and Stuart Mast, assistant director.
 

Founded in 1858, Benedictine College is a Catholic, Benedictine, residential, liberal arts college located on the bluffs above the Missouri River in Atchison, Kansas.  The school is proud to have been named one of America’s Best Colleges by U.S. News & World Report as well as one of the top Catholic colleges in the nation by First Things magazine and the Newman Guide.  It prides itself on outstanding academics, extraordinary faith life, strong athletic programs, and an exceptional sense of community and belonging.  It has a mission to educate men and women within a community of faith and scholarship.

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