Fiddler on the Roof Opens!

This review came from Cape Cod Today...

I caught the Barnstable High School Drama Club production of "Fiddler on the Roof" Saturday night, November 17, and the operative word is PRODUCTION. It rivaled any professional presentation I've seen.

Director and Set Designer John Sullivan's research, attention to detail, and the cast's smooth and clever set-changing gave it all the hallmarks of a Broadway production. Sullivan, an art teacher at the school, directed a cast of over 100 students, including some from middle school to play the younger parts.

Matt Kohler, in the lead role as Tevye, looked and acted the part besides singing it. People asked me, "Is he a student? He looks like an old man." The makeup, perfected mannerisms and rough, baritone voice did it. He WAS Tevye.

Siobhan Magnus played his wife, Golda, Saturday. (Sullivan alternates some of the cast members.) Her voice was operatic. Absolutely enchanting. The rest of the cast was also spectacular with splendid singing and acting and exceptional dancing.

Backing up the Drama Club in the orchestra pit, under the direction of Michael Gross, was a sixteen-piece orchestra, fifteen local professionals and one student. My friend and old high school chum, Cape Cod's ever-popular John Salerno, played accordion to give the sound an old world flair, accompanied by other members of his Big Swing Band, including Dennis Nobrega on clarinet with his klezmer styling, and Phil Vitali keeping rhythm on percussion.

The BHS Drama Club is donating a portion of the proceeds from all performances and ALL the proceeds from the Sunday, November 18 matinee at 2pm, to the Cape Cod Hospital Auxiliary.

The show continues next Friday and Saturday nights, November 23 and 24, at 7pm, and next Sunday afternoon, November 25, at 2pm. You will truly have an enchanted evening and will know you are helping our local hospital at the same time. And it's only ten bucks. Make it a point to see it. You'll be glad you did.