Matchmaker, make me a match…
Fiddler on the roof, one of the longest running broadway musicals, set in Imperial Russia in 1905, will be brough to life at the CIS auditorium on October 13 -14.
The cast comprises of grades 12 – 13 students, gearing up for one of their greatest challenges yet, a statement from the school said. The production is directed by Vinodh Senadeera.
The storyline is based on the lives of a poor, Jewish family, who endure great pain and struggles to support themselves whilst trying to hold on to their traditional views and beliefs. In fact, their lives are as precariously poised as a fiddler on the roof.
Tevye (Viren Beruwalage), has the task of providing for his five daughters, supported by his wife, Golde (Sivagami Deivanayagam). Being a Jewish family raised in Anatevka, the parents try to cling on to their traditional roots. However, this task is not made any easier by their daughters, the eldest being Tzeitel (Natasha Mamuhewa), who falls in love with and ends up marrying a tailor, Motel Kamzoil, against the wishes of Tevye and Golde who only wanted them to be friends. Following their elder sister’s example, the other daughters, Chava and Hodel too insist on choosing who they wish to marry. Tevye faces a moral dilemma each time but on more than one occasion, seems to allow them to marry outside their faith . As he puts it, the more he grants them permission, the more he “will break” as he strays from his traditional views. Whilst this internal family drama transpires, exacerbating the situation they are in, and a reflection of the times as as anti-semitism sets in.
A musical that encompasses many themes, including the break down of the stereotypical family hierarchy, poverty, persecution and love.
With musical hits such as “Matchmaker,” “Miracle Of Miracles,” and “If I Were A Rich Man,”, the Anatevkians of CIS are geared to take its audiences back in time where traditions seemed to be prevalent for everything. Tickets will be available at the school’s reception.