FIDDLER ON THE ROOF

One of the longest-running shows in Broadway history and one of the most-produced musicals in the world - FIDDLER ON THE ROOF - will close out the 2013 season in The Kweskin Theatre, Stamford, beginning November 15. The show will run weekends through December 14 with evening performances at the "family-friendly" time of 7:30pm. There are also many Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:00pm, though at press time, most Sundays are currently sold out.

Tradition! That is what FIDDLER ON THE ROOF is all about! For nearly 50 years millions of theatre-lovers have seen this musical many, many times. But no matter how many times it's seen on the stage or film, this musical never fails to entertain. Based on the short stories of Sholem Aleichem, with a wonderful book by Joseph Stein and music by Jerry Bock with lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF is set in the little village of Anatevka, where Tevye, a poor dairyman, tries to instill in his five daughters the traditions of his tight-knit Jewish community 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 has touched audiences around the world with its humor, warmth and honesty. The universal theme of tradition cuts across barriers of race, class, nationality and religion, leaving audiences crying tears of laughter, joy and sadness. This is a high-stakes story that not only blends the personal and religious but morphs before your eyes into a meditation on change. The Tony-award winning musical features a celebrated score by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick, with some of the best-loved songs of all time, including: "Sunrise, Sunset," "If I Were A Rich Man" and "Matchmaker."

In FIDDLER ON THE ROOF all of the Jewish villagers look to tradition as a guide in their lives. Tradition dictates that a matchmaker aid in the arranging of marriages, not that couples decide for themselves who and when they will to marry. Custom dictates that only men dance at weddings, not that men ask women to dance. Tradition also regulates dress, food consumption, and who can interact with whom—especially in regard to Jewish/Russian relations. While Tevye upholds these traditions to the best of his ability, the times are changing and the old way of doing things comes under repeated questioning.

Playing the leading role of Tevye is STAMFORD resident, Lou Ursone. "For more than 100 performances in the MULBERRY STREET series of plays, I have played the patriarch of an Italian immigrant family with children questioning their heritage and traditions. I have often referred to that character as an Italian Tevye, so I am thrilled to play this role for the first time," Ursone said. Area residents may have seen Ursone on The Kweskin Theatre stage in 1776 as John Adams or LA CAGE AUX FOLLES as Albin/Zaza. His other recent area performances have been leading roles with Summer Theatre of New Canaan and The Carriage House Theatre in Norwalk.

The production team includes Ridgefield residents Gordon and Karen Casagrande as director and choreographer, respectively. Music direction is by Greg Chrzczon of Stamford, set design is by Peter Barbieri, Jr. (Norwalk) costumes by Megan Latte Ormond (Stamford), and lighting design by Scott Borowka of Astoria, NY. The stage management team is headed up by Jan Ursone with Jeff Bianco, Stephen Kelly and John Zimmerman assisting.

While this large-cast production includes many performers familiar to regular Curtain Call patrons nearly one third of the cast have never appeared there before. Joining Ursone are 36 other area performers including, from STAMFORD: Randy Bucknoff, Tom Burke, Tom Costaggini, Ryan Hendrickson, Eric Hu, Jordan Kulick, Olivia Lapine, Beth Levine, Alyssa Morrin, Jason Nekritz, Joshua Pickel, Ethan Riordan, Rachel Schulte and Ted Yudain; from NORWALK: Liz Harrington, Jeff Helfand, Matthew Martin and Michael Stark; from STRATFORD: Jacqueline MacLean, Betty McCready and Dan Travers; from FAIRFIELD: Claire Langdon, Emma Langdon and Kalle Meehan; from DARIEN: Grace Cashman and Christina DeMaio; from GREENWICH: Addison Albano; from NEW CANAAN: Rachel Guth; from EASTON: Joseph Knipper; from REDDING: Clara Blackwell; from RIDGEFIELD: Janice Rudolph; from SOUTHPORT: Steve Benko; From WESTPORT: Sarah Saywer; from WESTON: Alexander Boston; from RYE, NY: Bob Praid; from TUCKAHOE, NY: Glenn Weill.

Ticket prices for all performances are $29 for adults, $22 for senior citizens and $14.50 for students/children. Discounted five, seven and ten-ticket Flex Passes are also available and offer significant savings. The Box Office phone is 203-461-6358. Tickets are also available online at www.curtaincallinc.com. The remainder of Curtain Call's 23rd season includes, Gypsy, The Wizard of Oz, Dead Man’s Cell Phone, Les Miserables, You Can’t Take It with You, The Hallelujah Girls and many other special events including concerts by Michael Jovovich, Frank Mastrone and more. Plus interactive murder mysteries and comedy nights are also on tap.

Curtain Call is the nonprofit, professionally-run, community-based theatre company in residence at The Sterling Farms Theatre Complex, 1349 Newfield Avenue in Stamford. Year-round productions and educational workshops are presented by and for area residents in The Kweskin Theatre and The Dressing Room Theatre.

Curtain Call has been voted Fairfield County’s BEST LOCAL THEATRE GROUP 2005 through 2013 in the Annual Readers’ Poll of The Fairfield County Weekly as well as BEST LOCAL THEATRE by StamfordPlus magazine for the past five years and as BEST VENUE by Stamford Magazine readers.. Curtain Call also received The Governor’s Award for Excellence in Culture and Tourism for 2011 and in a recent statewide Facebook poll, was noted as the most popular theatre in Connecticut and second most favorite attraction in the state.