'Fiddler on the Roof' at OSU-Lima

LIMA - The students and faculty in OSU-Lima's drama department are getting back into a musical state of mind with the Broadway classic "Fiddler on the Roof."

The production opens Thursday on OSU-Lima's campus.

It has been a while since the drama department at OSU-Lima has attempted a musical, said Joe Brandesky, who is directing "Fiddler." This spring, however, seemed like the perfect opportunity to once again "test the waters."

"This is my 20th year here at OSU-Lima, and the last time we did a musical was ‘Quilters' in 1991," he said. "Before I was here they had a somewhat regular schedule of summer musicals, but not during the regular school year. This is primarily a commuter campus, and it takes a tremendous time commitment to do a musical."

"Fiddler on the Roof" originally debuted on Broadway in 1964. The musical is set in tsarist Russia in 1905 and tells the story of Tevye, a Jewish father with a wife and five daughters who struggles to maintain tradition as outside forces encroach on his home. In its first season, the show was nominated for 10 Tony Awards and won nine, including Best Musical, and has successfully spawned a movie and several revivals.

While musicals require additional effort (choreography and singing in addition to acting), Brandesky said he knew the department had available talent. The cast of "Fiddler" numbers around 30, including students at the school and a few outside hires. The lead role of "Tevye" will be played by a former OSU-Lima student, Jair Torres, whom Brandesky said is perfect for the role.

"He is a giant man with a beautiful voice," he said. "He's a fine actor. I thought, ‘If we were going to do (this musical), we had to have someone to build it around, and he's the one."

The strong cast will have plenty of good material to work with, Brandesky said: "Fiddler" is a rich perennial favorite in the theater world with plenty to sink your teeth into.

"I played the role of Tevye 25 years ago, and I knew how good the story was and how fulfilling on a number of levels it could be," he said. "It's fulfilling not just for the audience, but for the actors and everyone involved."

"Fiddler on the Roof"

WHEN: 8 p.m. Thursday through May 17, 2 p.m. May 18

WHERE: Martha W. Farmer Theatre for the Performing Arts in Reed Hall, OSU-Lima campus

COST: Adults $12, seniors, students and children $10

FOR MORE INFO: Call 419-995-8382.