'Fiddler' picks up same social justice theme
Katerina Schmidt
Issue date: 1/23/06 Section: Entertainment
Though originally scheduled to have Passages of Martin Luther King as its spring play, the NDNU theater department has replaced it with "Fiddler on the Roof," a musical which brings to life the injustices Jewish people faced in 19th century Russia.
To make sure that the show is true to its Jewish customs and mannerisms, Director Mike Elkins has brought in Elana Ron as the cultural reference
"I have called in Elana to be the religious and cultural advisor because she is Jewish and very active in her faith.
"She has also done 'Fiddler on the Roof' twice before and understands it from a religious and cultural point of view that will be useful in helping us, as a department, understand the show better and perform it with greatest integrity and truthfulness possible" said Elkins.
"Elana has also worked with us before on 'Rags' about a Jewish immigrant family coming to the United States. She has performed for many years in 'A Christmas Carol,' and hopefully this fall she will transfer to NDNU and major in theater or musical theater."
Tevye, the head of his family, tries desperately in times of sorrow to keep his wife and daughters together. Slowly times turn worse and the beasts of anti-Semitism and pride threaten to tear this beloved family apart.
Despite the last-minute change, "Fiddler on the Roof" still fits into NDNU's social justice theme concerning civil rights.
"In terms of social justice, we are trying to emphasize that this is not just a clash of the Christian and Jewish religions, but a disenfranchisement of Jews by taking away their land and property they have lived on for generations," said Elkins.
Performances of "Fiddler on the Roof" will be held March 24, 25, 30, 31 and April 1 at 7:30 p.m and March 26, and April 2 at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $15 general admission, $8 seniors and students, and NDNU students get in for free with valid student I.D. card.
For information and reservations call 650-508-3456 or email.
To make sure that the show is true to its Jewish customs and mannerisms, Director Mike Elkins has brought in Elana Ron as the cultural reference
"I have called in Elana to be the religious and cultural advisor because she is Jewish and very active in her faith.
"She has also done 'Fiddler on the Roof' twice before and understands it from a religious and cultural point of view that will be useful in helping us, as a department, understand the show better and perform it with greatest integrity and truthfulness possible" said Elkins.
"Elana has also worked with us before on 'Rags' about a Jewish immigrant family coming to the United States. She has performed for many years in 'A Christmas Carol,' and hopefully this fall she will transfer to NDNU and major in theater or musical theater."
Tevye, the head of his family, tries desperately in times of sorrow to keep his wife and daughters together. Slowly times turn worse and the beasts of anti-Semitism and pride threaten to tear this beloved family apart.
Despite the last-minute change, "Fiddler on the Roof" still fits into NDNU's social justice theme concerning civil rights.
"In terms of social justice, we are trying to emphasize that this is not just a clash of the Christian and Jewish religions, but a disenfranchisement of Jews by taking away their land and property they have lived on for generations," said Elkins.
Performances of "Fiddler on the Roof" will be held March 24, 25, 30, 31 and April 1 at 7:30 p.m and March 26, and April 2 at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $15 general admission, $8 seniors and students, and NDNU students get in for free with valid student I.D. card.
For information and reservations call 650-508-3456 or email