“Fiddler on the Roof” Opens Tonight at the Firehouse Arts Center in Pleasanton

The Pacific Coast Repertory Theatre‘s production of the moving and Tony awarding-winning musical “Fiddler on the Roof” opens tonight in Pleasanton’s Firehouse Arts Center (4444 Railroad Avenue) at 8:00pm with performances continuing Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm through May 3.

Winner of 9 Tony Awards in 1965 and still touching audiences worldwide today with its humor, warmth and honesty, Fiddler on the Roof is a musical theatre tradition! Set in the little village of Anatevka, the story centers on Tevye, a poor dairyman, and his five daughters. With the help of a colorful and tight-knit Jewish community, Tevye tries to protect his daughters and instill them with tradition in the face of changing social mores and growing anti-Semitism of Czarist Russia. Rich in historical and ethnic detail, this universal theme cuts across barriers of race, class, nationality, and religion, leaving audiences crying tears of laughter, joy and sadness.

A free Inside the Show discussion with the actors and directors will take place after the matinee performance on Sunday April 19 providing theatre lovers with a special opportunity to interact with the actors.

Award-winning, professional Director and Choreographer, Christina Lazo, will direct and choreograph this Broadway classic at the intimate Firehouse Arts Center. Lazo’s vision is to preserve the honesty of the period, yet create an experience for the audience that is both uplifting and historically accurate. Christina goes on to explain, “Fiddler on the Roof is simply one of the best written stories in musical theatre history. Its universal themes of the importance of tradition in community, the conflict between generations, the struggle of co-existing cultures, and the strength of family touch us all. Holding on to a way of life in an ever changing world is something Tevye struggles with through both the humor and pathos of the story. I am thrilled to tell this beautiful, touching story with such an amazing cast and creative team. I am looking forward to creating our world of Anatevka.”

She will be supported in bringing this vision to the Firehouse stage by professional musician and conductor, Pat Parr, Musical Director and co-founder of PCRT, along with Scenic Designer Pat Brandon and Lighting Designer Mike Oesch.

Bay Area actor Dan Kapler joins the cast of Fiddler on the Roof, reprising the role of “Tevye” he performed with Stage 1 Theatre in Newark. Dan was last seen on the PCRT stage as “Ladislov Sipos” in She Loves Me. In addition, Annmarie Martin (AEA) will appear as Tevye’s wife, “Golde” and Scott Reardon (AEA) will appear as “Perchik”, the suitor of Tevye’s daughter, Hodel. A very talented group of professional and regional actors complete cast and ensemble.

The show will run from April 17, 2015 through May 3, 2015: Friday and Saturday at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm. All performances will take place at Firehouse Arts Center, located at 4444 Railroad Avenue in Pleasanton, CA. Tickets are $17-$38 each, and are available at the Firehouse Arts Center Box Office, by phone at (925) 931-4848, or online at  www.pcrtproductions.org or www.firehousearts.org. Subscriptions and group discounts are available.