Classic Story, Current Issues: 'Fiddler on the Roof' Hits Centralia College Stage

Emmy Kreilkamp chose “Fiddler on the Roof” for the spring musical at Centralia College because it was a show she dearly loved that had never been brought to life on the Corbet Theatre stage.

But there’s also a message to the well-known show, which opened Friday, that is still very timely to current events, Kreilkamp pointed out.

“The themes are still relevant today,” Kreilkamp said. “We still live in a world where people can be pitched out of their homes at a moment’s notice because of the god they worship. And I believe there’s a theme of love buried under the tragedy is one that people still need to hear.”

Based on the original Broadway show, which opened in 1964 for a record-breaking run of 3,242 performances, “Fiddler on the Roof” is perhaps best known for its 1971 movie adaptation starring Topol. It is the story of the residents of the Russian town of Anatevka where Jews and Orthodox Christians live side by side at the beginning of the 20th century. In this pre-revolutionary Russia the Jewish community attempts, despite persecution, to hold fast to its traditions. At the heart of the story is the poor Jewish farmer Tevye (portrayed by Christopher Valcho) who has a front seat to watch the changing times through the marriages of his three eldest daughters.

Kathryn Gulmert who plays Tevye’s wife, Golde, was previously in a production of “Fiddler on the Roof” a couple years ago with Tenino Young at Heart Theater. She said she was excited to be part of another production of the show because of the universal themes of community and family.

“The relationship between father and daughter and husband and wife are just so moving,” Gulmert said. “And the songs are wonderful.”

As the time seems to draw near when the Jewish community will be forced to leave Anatevka, one by one Tevye’s personal foundations of his Jewish traditions are also shaken.

Though it is tradition that the matchmaker and the father choose a husband for women, Tevye’s eldest daughter Tzeitzel (portrayed by Paige Flock) begs her father not to marry her to an older man who would provide her financial stability but instead bless her marriage to poor tailor Motel, who she loves.

Tevye must convince himself to accept this new thinking that a marriage could be based on affection for one another. Next daughter Holdel (portrayed by Rachel Frichette), falls in love with the Marxist Perchik, who gets arrested and Holdel leaves for Siberia to be with her intended.

The final blow is when Tevye’s daughter Chava (portrayed by Lauren Davis) elopes with a Russian orthodox Christian. Marrying outside the faith is forbidden and Chava and her husband must be shunned by the community.

As Tevye’s family is in turmoil, so is his community as the Russians declare the Jews must leave Anatevka. Kreilkamp said one of the most telling parts of the story is when Tevye’s family is leaving their home and Chava comes by one last time to see her family, who are forbidden to acknowledge her.

“Tevye, though he can’t bless his daughter’s marriage and her break with tradition, does indirectly bless her and sends her off with a ‘God be with you,’” Kreilkamp said.

The sheer size of the cast needed to stage “Fiddler on the Roof” was another reason Kreilkamp said she chose this show. She said she has wanted to increase student participation in theater productions and this show has about 50 people involved in it, including cast and crew, about half of which are students and faculty or former faculty of Centralia College.

The cast also ranges from children to senior citizens. Kreilkamp said scheduling can be tricky with a large cast with so many divergent schedules but overall it is worth the work.

“It’s been wonderful to work with a very devoted cast and crew. That has made any obstacle easily surmountable,” Kreilkamp said.

Valcho traveled from Lacey for the chance to bring Tevye to life on stage. The 40-year veteran of the stage said “Fiddler on the Roof” is a show he has always of which he’s always wanted to be part. Through actors such as Topol and Zero Mostel the character has become almost universally known but Valcho was quick to point out that the story is really about a community and every single character is important to the overall effect.

“My feeling is whoever is saying the line at the moment is the star of the show and every one of us try our very best every moment on that stage,” Valcho said.

Another challenge the cast faced was Kreilkamp’s decision to use the original Jerome Robbin’s choreography for Centralia College’s production of “Fiddler on the Roof.” This meant many large, complicated musical numbers. Kreilkamp said she was fortunate to have dancers from the Ballet Theater of Washington join the cast to perform some of the more complicated moves such as the high-flying Russian dancing in the song “To Life.”

“We’re lucky to have so many classically trained dancers in this performance,” Kreilkamp said.