The Barn Theatre proudly presents

 

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF

Based on Sholom Aleichem’s Stories by special permission of Arnold Perl

 

Book by Joseph Stein

Lyrics by  Sheldon Harnick

Music by Jerry Bock

        Original New York Stage Production Directed & Choreographed by

Jerome Robbins

 

Opening June 14 at 8:30 and

Playing through June 26

 

Make it a tradition!

 

(Augusta, MI)  A bit of Broadway and Barn Theatre history returns to the historic playhouse, now celebrating its 60th Anniversary season where FIDDLER ON THE ROOF opens Tuesday, June 14 for a special two week engagement through Sunday, June 26. 

 

Based on Sholom Alechiem’s stories, with a book by Joseph Stein, and an unforgettable score by Jerry Bock and Sheldon harnick, FIDDLER is not only one of Broadway’s longest-running shows, by one of the most acclaimed and performed musicals world-wide.

 

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF has also proven to be one of the Barn Theatre’s biggest hits, having been presented four times: In 1971, a world premier in the summer stock field, 1975, 1982, and 1995.  The first three productions starred long-time Barn song and dance man, Angelo Mango as Tevye and Betty Ebert as Golde – performances as legendary as the show itself.  The 1995 production starred the multifaceted Joe Aiello as Tevye – as will the current production.  The 60th Anniversary production is directed by Scott Burkell. The cast of  30 will feature Dusty Reeds and Howard McBride (both reprising their roles of Yente the Matchmaker and Lazar Wolfe respectively) as well as Equity Membership Candidates, Erin Elizabeth Coors, Ellen Schnier, Sarah Roussos, Anthony Christian,  Nick Horton and Kevin Field, and Barn leading lady Penelope Alex, as Golde. In the 1995 production Ms. Alex portrayed one of Tevye’s daughter’s. And in perfect Barn style, following in the footsteps of her mother-in-law, Penelope now portrays Golde, Tevye’s wife. And furthering Barn “tradition” two of her children, Calli and Luke make their FIDDLER debut in this production!

 

The basic story is simple and universal – so universal that it has played in 37 countries and in 18 languages. Set in pre-Revolutionary Russia, Fiddler details the trails of Tevye, the village’s long-suffering milkman.  Blessed with five daughters, Tevye and his domineering wife, Golde, enlist a matchmaker as is the “tradition”, to find husbands for their daughters -- but each of the eldest three daughters finds a husband of her own, a tailor, a revoluntionary, and a Gentile.  Whkle Tevye can accept the first two, he cannot sanction the third.  Tevye struggles as his world comes to an end – literally as well as figuratively – for he and all the other residents of Anatevka are driven out of their homeland and must emigrate to America. The Bock and Harnick score contains some of the most beautiful music ever written for the stage ~ “Tradition”, “Matchmaker, Matchmaker”, “Sunrise, Sunset”, and “Far from the Home I Love,” and “Miracle of Miracles”, to name a few.

 

Along with Scott Burkell directing, the rest of the creative team includes Doug Blickle as Scenic Designer, David Ames as Music Director, Charlie Misovye as Choreographer, David Hermosillo as Costume Designer, Frank J. Vela as Lighting Designer, Brendan Ragotzy is Producer.

 

The Barn Theatre is located on M-96 West of Augusta.  Performances are Tuesday through Friday at 8:30 PM, Saturday at 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM, and Sunday at 5:00 PM.  Tickets are $25.00 Tuesday through Thursday and $27.50 Friday through Sunday.   Visa and MasterCard are accepted.  For tickets call (269) 731-4121.  The box office is open daily from 10:00AM-10:00 PM.

 

Enjoy refreshments in The Rehearsal Shed Lounge with friends before, during intermission and after the show. NEW THIS SEASON!  Wings and Nachos in the Shed! Enjoy a light snack while being entertained by the free cabaret-style show in the Rehearsal Shed Lounge after the main stage performance.

 

Joe Aiello’s 25th Anniversary Season at the Barn Theatre

 

(Augusta, MI)  A highlight of the Barn’s 60th Anniversary season is the celebration of Joe Aiello’s 25th Anniversary season at the Barn Theatre!

 

Born in Monterey, California, Joe Aiello, born Salvatore Joseph Aiello, attended college at San Jose State University where he met professor and mentor Dusty Reeds. Each spring Ms. Reeds would invite a core group of students from San Jose State to the Barn Theatre to begin their professional training.  Dusty saw such promise in Joe Aiello in 1978 that she insisted he come to the Barn.  An apprentice at the Barn usually spends two seasons, sometimes three, before being signed to a union contract – or what’s known in acting circles as “getting their card” – but as luck and huge amounts of talent would have it, Joe Aiello was at the Barn exactly one week before being signed to a union contract.  In his first show at the Barn, producer Jack Ragotzy was so taken with him that he immediately wanted him on board as an Equity Resident member.  To the envy of all, Joe became the newest member of the Equity company in LIGHT UP THE SKY.  When signing his first contract, the New York office informed “Sal” that there was already another Sal Aiello in the union and therefore he needed to choose another name.  He decided to use his middle name of Joe for his professional name. In the 1978 season Joe starred as Sancho in MAN OF LA MANCHA, Dracula in COUNT DRACULA, Pippin in PIPPIN, Billy Crocker in ANYTHING GOES, George in SAME TIME NEXT YEAR, Peter Sloan in RUE DE L’AMOUR and the Inspector of Police in LIGHT UP THE SKY.

 

Since that fateful year, Joe has again and again demonstrated his skill and multifaceted talent in many varied roles such as John Merrick in THE ELEPHANT MAN, Danny Zuko in GREASE, Mark Dolson in MASS APPEAL opposite the incomparable Louis Girard, Daddy Warbucks in ANNIE, Gallimard in M. BUTTERFLY, Albin/ZaZa LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, Arthur in CAMELOT, Little Harp in THE ROBBER BRIDEGROOM, Peron in EVITA, Zach in A CHORUS LINE, Luther Billis in SOUTH PACIFIC, The Dentist in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, half the town in GREATER TUNA and A TUNA CHRISTMAS, and Charlie Baker in THE FOREIGNER to name just a few.  It is in the ever popular Barn farces, with his long-time friend and fellow farceur Scott Burkell where Joe shines even brighter. He has charmed, captivated and wowed audiences in the many, many farces the Barn has produced in his 25 seasons. 

 

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF

Cast List And Bios

 

(Cast in order of appearance)

 

The Fiddler.................................................... John M. Moauro

Tevye, the Dairyman.................................... Joe Aiello

Golde, his wife............................................... Penelope Alex

Tzeitel, his daughter..................................... Erin Elizabeth Coors

Hodel, his daughter....................................... Ellen Schnier

Chava, his daughter...................................... Sarah Roussos

Shprintze, daughter....................................... Logan Sondgerath

Bielke, daughter........................................... Calli Ragotzy

Yente, the Matchmaker............................... Dusty Reeds

Motel, the Tailor........................................... Anthony Christian

Perchik, the Student..................................... Nick Horton

Lazar Wolf, the Butcher............................... Howard McBride

Mordcha, the Innkeeper.............................. Allen Hale

Rabbi............................................................. Gregg Rehrig

Mendel, his son............................................. Ryan Stutz

Avram, the bookseller.................................. Andy Planck

Nachum, he Beggar...................................... Tim Matson

Grandma Tzeitel........................................... Renee Gonzales

Fruma-Sarah................................................. Cecily Smith

Shaindel, Motel’s mother............................. Bethany Wood

Rifka.............................................................. Kelley Bray

Mirala............................................................ Megan Stein

The Bottle Dancers...................................... Jake Stackhouse, Ryan Stutz, John M. Moauro, Kevin Field

Chaim, a boy................................................. Luke Ragotzy

Yankel, a boy................................................ Samuel Matties, Jr.

Constable...................................................... Eric Parker

Fyedka........................................................... Kevin Field

Yussel............................................................ Jake Stackhouse

Sasha............................................................. Alston Brown

Lubov............................................................. Jack Stackhouse

Vladimir......................................................... John M. Moauro

 

Ensemble:       Steven Drapalski, Jana Debusk, Melissa Dahle, Megan K. Wean Traci Bair, Sarah R. Sapperstein, Jennifer Margarethe Luers, Luke Ragotzy, Samuel Matties, Jr.

Cast Bios

 

Scott Burkell (Director)

Scott comes back for a 23rd summer after another eventful year in NYC.  His musical SIX OF ONE (with score by Barnie Paul Loesel) just received a very successful workshop staging that featured Scott with Barnies Tia Speros, Danyelle Bossardet, and Guy LeMonnier.  Burkell/Loesel songs have become in the demand of such broadway performers as Susan Egan, Rebecca Luker (at Lincoln Center), Kristin Chenoweth (at Carnegie Hall) and Barnie Marin Mazzie (who recorded two songs with husband and fellow actor Jason Danieley for their debut recording to be released this fall).  Scott and Paul are also in final negotiations for the musical rights to the popular Mark Dunn novel ELLA MINNOW PEA.  Scott played in TITANIC both on Broadway and the first national tour. In Augusta his career has been unforgettable.  Some favorite roles include:  Molina in KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN,  Georg in SHE LOVES ME (opposite Marin Mazzie), Felix in THE ODD COUPLE, Seymour in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, and perhaps his all-time gem, Riff Raff in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW.  Last season, Scott played Frankie in FOREVER PLAID, George in TWO INTO ONE, Dr. Parker in BAT BOY:  THE MUSICAL (co-directed with Joe Aiello), Reuben in ESCANABA IN DA MOONLIGHT, Lumiere in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, and El Gallo in  THE FANTASTICKS.  Scott also directed last season’s AIDA.  Visit scottburkell.net

             

Joe Aiello

Joe is proud to celebrate his 25th anniversary with the Barn this summer.  Year after year he has proven his talent and versatility in such roles as Daddy Warbucks in ANNIE, Lee in TRUE WEST, Albin/ZaZa in LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, Nathan Detroit in GUYS AND DOLLS, Gallimard in M. BUTTERFLY, Merrick in THE ELEPHANT MAN, Mozart in AMADEUS, Arthur in CAMELOT, Cogsworth in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, and half the town in both GREATER TUNA and  A TUNA CHRISTMAS.  A gifted director as well, Joe has earned accolades for his Barn treatments of CABARET, SHE LOVES ME, CHESS, KISS OF THE SPIDERWOMAN, CRIMES OF THE HEART, THE MOST HAPPY FELLA, STEEL MAGNOLIAS, SWEENEY TODD, and BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL (the latter two co-directed with Scott Burkell).  Joe lives in New York City and is currently Director of Sales for Match-Tix Group Sales and Promotions and co-owner of Allied/Hit-Tix, Inc.

 

Penelope Alex

In her 19 seasons Penelope has made herself quite a home on the Barn stage.  She has delighted audiences with a series of compelling performances… Aldonza in MAN OF LA MANCHA, Maria in LEND ME A TENOR, and Janet in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW come imediately to mind, as do her own favorites, such as the Beggar Woman in SWEENEY TODD, Nellie in SOUTH PACIFIC (with Tom Wopat), Aurora in KISS OF THE SPIDERWOMAN, and at the head of the list, Annie Oakley opposite Tom Wopat’s Frank Butler in ANNIE GET YOUR GUN.  Last season Penelope was seen as Pamela in TWO INTO ONE, Meredith  Parker in BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL and Babette in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.  Offstage and closest to her heart are her star roles of Mom to Luke (10), Calli (8), Jacob (5), and Melina (1), and wife to Barn producer Brendan Ragotzy.  As busy as the Barn and her family keep her, Penelope still makes time for commercial and voiceover work throughout the region.  Be sure to listen for Penelope on the Barn’s new commercials this summer!  She is a native of San Jose, CA, and, like husband Brendan, is a proud San Jose State University Spartan alum.

 

Dusty Reeds

As the Barn’s longtime resident Scenic Designer, Dusty counts more than 250 productions that have been touched by her artistry in addition to her work as an actress and director.  Her staging of last summer’s closer THE FANTASTICKS was a personal highlight.  As Associate Producer, she continues to assist Brendan Ragotzy with directorial and production concerns.  Dusty’s favorite roles as an actress here in Augusta include Miss Tweed in SOMETHING’S AFOOT, and Tom Wopat’s mother Big Mama in CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF.  Dusty’s career as a designer includes stops at the Cherry Lane in New York, the Provincetown Playhouse, the San Jose Opera, Actors’ Theatre of Louisville, and Colorado’s Diamond Circle Theatre.  Dusty’s local work features directing stints with the Marshall and Battle Creek Civic troupes.  A Professor Emeritus of Theatre at San Jose State University, Dusty now resides in Richland, where her winters are spent volunteering with the Kalamazoo Animal Rescue, helping save hundreds of abused and abandoned pets.  Dusty urges everyone to have their pets spayed or neutered.  Her sons, J. Michael Reeds, and recent Barn favorite Robin Haynes, are both successful New York performers.

 

Howard McBride

In his 24 Augusta summers, Howard has given audiences a series of wonderful performances in the range known in the old days as “first business”.  Last summer Howard had the time of his life playing two roles he’s waited 30 years to play:  Arvide in GUYS AND DOLLS, and the Old Actor in THE FANTASTICKS.  He also squeezed in a charming turn as Belle’s father Maurice in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.  Other favorites include Jacob in JOSEPH…, the Governor of Texas in THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS, Max in THE SOUND OF MUSIC, Dr. Scott in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, Max in THE SOUND OF MUSIC, Herr Schultz in CABARET, and one of his earliest, Sancho in MAN OF LA MANCHA.  He has toured nationally in ANYTHING GOES and CABARET, and stage managed tours of A CHORUS LINE, MAN OF LA MANCHA, and JANE POWELL: INSIDE OUT.  With us, Howard lends his unique charms to his offstage role of General Manager.  He also appears annually in the Gull Lake Café Christmas Show.  Unfortunately, his part in that little pageant remains top secret.

 

 

Eric Parker

Eric is overjoyed to be back for a 13th Barnie summer.  His growing list of Barn credits includes several favorites: Jimmy Powers in CITY OF ANGELS, Rocky and Eddie in six go-‘rounds of THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, Cousin Kevin in TOMMY, Cable in SOUTH PACIFIC, Freddie in CHESS, the title role in PIPPIN, Pharaoh in JOSEPH…, Judas in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, Jinx in FOREVER PLAID, Remnar in ESCANABA IN DA MOONLIGHT, and Che in EVITA, a role that introduced Eric to Chicago audiences in an award-winning production at Drury Lane Oakbrook.  Eric’s career has continued there with roles in their recent ANYTHING GOES, JOSEPH…, ANNIE, CAMELOT, TYA productions of ALADDIN and CHARLOTTE’S WEB, and Jacey Squires in THE MUSIC MAN, which closed in May.  Eric also earned raves this winter for a co-starring turn in the post-NYC regional premiere of the Off-Broadway musical THE THING ABOUT MEN at Theatre at the Center.  Other faves include Henrik in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, the title role in  JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, and Claude in HAIR (European Tour).  TV: GUIDING LIGHT.  Local radio listeners may have heard Eric on a commercial for Brann’s Steakhouse over the winter.  Eric’s an Adrian native who lives in Chicago.

 

 

Erin Elizabeth Coors

Erin is a recent graduate of Kent State University (Kent, OH).  This is her second go-‘round as a Barnie and she is very excited to be a part of this 60th season.  She recently played Kate in THE WILD PARTY and Erma in ANYTHING GOES.

 

Ellen Schnier

Ellen just graduated from Ball State University with a degree in Musical Theatre.  She is excited to be in Augusta for a second summer before an eventual move to New York City.  Last year she was seen in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and GUYS AND DOLLS.  Her Ball State credits are numerous, with her favorites being Hope in ANYTHING GOES, Mrs. Taylor/Lorraine in BAT BOY, and Fay in THE BOYFRIEND. 

 

Sarah Roussos

Sarah is a recent BFA Musical Theatre graduate from Kent State University.  After a successful NYC showcase with her fellow seniors, Sarah is all prepared for a move to Manhattan following the Barn season.  Some of her favorite roles include Mae in THE WILD PARTY, Sarah Brown I GUYS AND DOLLS, and Rapunzel in INTO THE WOODS. 

 

 

Anthony Christian

Anthony is a Mississippi native who resides in New York City.  He is ecstatic about his Barn debut summer.  He comes to us fresh off the National Tour of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, where he served as standby for Motel and the Fiddler (and went on, too).  Regional credits include Matt in THE FANTASTICKS, the Baker in INTO THE WOODS, Buddy Layman in THE DIVINERS, Simon Gascoyne in THE REAL INSPECTOR HOUND.  Anthony has also served as director/choreographer for such shows as GREASE, SEUSSICAL, and THE BAD SEED.

 

Nick Horton

This is Nick’s first season with the Barn and he is thrilled to be here.  Nick is a recent BFA Musical Theatre graduate of Kent State University.  Some of his favorite roles in college include Billy in ANYTHING GOES, Black in THE WILD PARTY, and Mike in A CHORUS LINE. 

 

Kevin Field

Kevin is delighted to be back in Augusta for a third season.  He comes straight from the International/National Tour of 42nd STREET, which stopped at Miller Auditorium last January.  Favorite Barn credits include Munkustrap in CATS, Peter in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, and Sister Mary Leo in NUNSENSE A-MEN, his favorite Barn role to date.  Audiences may also remember him offstage as Musical Director/Pianist for the 2003 bar shows down in the Rehearsal Shed- a staff role he reprises this year.  Kevin is a BMA Voice Performance graduate of the University of Michigan.  A native Michigander, Kevin now calls New York City home.  Other credits include Amos in CHICAGO (at U-M) and an eight month stint at Walt Disney World.  Visit him on the web at www.kevin-field.com.

 

CALENDAR NEWS:                          FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  June 3, 2005        

 

NOW PLAYING:  The glorious family favorite FIDDLER ON THE ROOF!  Set in pre-Revolutionary Russia, Fiddler details the trails of Tevye, played by Joe Aiello, the village’s long-suffering milkman.  Blessed with five daughters, Tevye and his domineering wife, Golde, played by Penelope Alex, enlist a matchmaker as is the “tradition”, to find husbands for their daughters -- but each of the eldest three daughters finds a husband of her own. The Bock and Harnick score contains some of the most beautiful music ever written for the stage ~ “Tradition”, “Matchmaker, Matchmaker”, “Sunrise, Sunset”, and “Far from the Home I Love,” to name a few.

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NEXT:  The upbeat musical extravaganza LIL ABNER playing June 28 through July 10 starring Guy LeMonnier.  Al Capp’s world famous comic strip characters come to life in this wonderfully goofy mixture of hillbilly hilarity and barbed critical humor. The whole family will enjoy this “Typical Day” in Dogpatch, U.S.A. where the motley and lovable characters of this rural community steal your heart in this classic American musical. Last season’s audiences will remember Mr. LeMonnier from his commanding hilarious performance as Gaston in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.

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COMING SOON:  THE GRADUATE, Starring Susan Cella as Mrs. Robinson.  Cella was Kathleen Turner’s understudy for the role of Mrs. Robinson in the recent Broadway production of  THE GRADUATE.  Susan has also been seen on the big screen in a number of television shows including The Soprano’s, Law & Order, All My Children, Another World and As the World Turns.  The summer after graduating from college, suburbanite Benjamin Braddock would rather float in his parents' pool than follow adult advice about his future.  Mentally adrift, he accepts an adulterous offer from the icily feline Mrs. Robinson.  Mike Nichols won an Academy Award for direction in this critically acclaimed movie in 1967 which starred Dustin Hoffman, Anne Bancroft and Katherine Ross.

The Barn Theatre              

Located on M-96 1 mile west of the village of Augusta .

 

Box Office Phone              

269 731-4121 Open daily from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm

 

Performance times              

Tuesday through Friday at 8:30pm

Saturday (2 shows) 6:00pm & 9:00 pm

Sunday 5:00pm (8:30 Added performance, if applicable)

 

Ticket Prices                          

Tues. Wed. Thurs.: $25.00     Fri Sat (both shows) and Sun $27.50

 

Visa and MasterCard Accepted

Group rates available (10 tickets or more)

Professional Equity resident summer theatre.   Our 60 th season

Listed on the Michigan Register of Historic Sites – Free and easy parking

Air-conditioned Theatre and Restrooms handicapped accessible.

 

Enjoy refreshments in the Rehearsal Shed Lounge with friends before, during

intermission and after the show. NEW THIS SEASON! WINGS AND NACHOS
in the Rehearsal Shed!Free cabaret-style entertainment follows main stage

performances.  
Brendan Ragotzy, Producer

 

 


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