Philadelphia Orchestra to Present ‘Fiddler’ in Partnership with University of Michigan Musical Theater Students
The Philadelphia Orchestra will co-present a new semi-staged concert production of “Fiddler on the Roof” on March 3, 5, and 6 in Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center for Performing Arts In partnership with the University Musical Society at the University of Michigan.
The performances will feature the orchestra and Broadway performers sharing the stage with students from the university’s Department of Musical Theatre.
They will perform John Williams’ Academy Award-winning orchestrations, which will be heard in their entirety for the first time in live performances of the musical. Williams adapted the score composer Jerry Bock created for the 1971 film.
“It’s amazing to me that 50 years have transpired since this production was made,” Williams said. “Presenting this wonderful score and show in a form that’s never been heard or seen reanimates and extends the life of a great project that means so much to so many people. The story is never going to be old. It’s as basic and human as any story can ever be.”
Broadway veterans Chuck Cooper (who won a Tony Award in 1997 for “The Life”) and Loretta Ables Sayre (nominated for a Tony in 2007 for “South Pacific”) will star as Tevye and Golde, respectively, while Chad Jennings plays butcher Lazar Wolf, alongside many U-M students.
Conductor/Music Director Andy Einhorn will lead the performances, which are directed by Sarna Lapine and choreographed by Alison Solomon.
Brother Murdered by Terrorists in Jerusalem to Speak at Temple Beth Hillel-Beth El
Temple Beth Hillel-Beth El in Wynnewood will host at 7 p.m. on Feb. 27 Kasriel Kay, whose brother Eli was murdered by terrorists on Nov. 21 in the Old City of Jerusalem while on his way to work.
Kay and his wife, Shani, will speak on “Lessons Learned from Eli’s Death, Including His Love for the People and Land of Israel and How Everyone Can Be a Hero” and also discuss the struggles lone soldiers face in the Israel Defense Forces.
Eli Kay was a recent immigrant from South Africa who was employed as a tour guide at the Western Wall, according to The Times of Israel. He was walking to work when East Jerusalem resident Fadi Abu Shkhaydam, a Hamas activist, opened fire and fatally wounded him, injuring four others. Abu Shkhaydam was killed by police at the scene following a brief gun battle.
Eli Kay previously volunteered in Kibbutz Nirim in southern Israel for a year and served in the IDF as a lone soldier in the Paratroopers Brigade until August 2019.
On Feb. 1, security forces demolished Abu Shkaaydam’s home.
For more information, contact Lisa Richman at [email protected] Attendees must be vaccinated and wear masks.
— Compiled by Andy Gotlieb
