Sunrise, sunset: Notre Dame to stage 'Fiddler on the Roof'

Notre Dame Regional High School in Cape Girardeau is bringing "Fiddler on the Roof" to the stage April 7 to 10. The production will dramatize Joseph Stein's classic musical while showcasing the students' talent.

"Fiddler on the Roof" tells the story of a father in a Jewish community who wants to raise his five daughters with "traditional values" in the midst of changing times and anti-Semitism, according to Music Theatre International.

Its "universal theme of tradition cuts across barriers of race, class, nationality and religion, leaving audiences crying tears of laughter, joy and sadness," the MTI website states.

Familiar songs include "Matchmaker, Matchmaker," "Tradition," "Do You Love Me?" and "Sunrise, Sunset."

Cindy King is the show's director and technical director; she also is director of theater arts and teacher of theater arts and communication arts at Notre Dame.

Notre Dame Regional High School students rehearse Tuesday for the school's upcoming musical, "Fiddler on the Roof."Laura Simon

"This is my 44th year at Notre Dame, and I have directed all shows within those 44 years," she said.

Eight weeks of hard work, which began with three days of auditions open to the entire school body, soon will culminate in four nights of performance. Those auditions included "one session of dance auditions, one session of vocal auditions and one final session of acting," King said.

The end result was a cast and crew of about 100 students.

King praised each student, saying "they are all impressive."

Speaking of their growth over the past two months, she said, "It is exciting to watch the cast develop their characters. ... To see a junior in high school, Caleb Vetter, become a man in his 50s, Tevye, who balances the traditions of his faith with his love of his daughters, his life and his wife, Golde, played by senior Amber Vandeven, is impressive."

She also spoke of watching actors blossom not just over months, but years.

She said she's thrilled with the transformation of senior Lucas Hurley, who plays Perchick, as well as the "growth of [other] cast members who have not had a major role in the past."

King was impressed "to hear the incredible voice of Chloe Kasten, who plays Hodel, as she sings her farewell to her father, Tevye."

Those are just a few of the many students who stand out to King.

She added, "Each cast member has an impressive moment within the show. Each has grown throughout the rehearsal process."

Her greatest joy has been working with students who not only act, but are willing to get their hands dirty and create the scenery, she said.

"Dedication is a joy to experience," she said.

But 100 students are not enough to make a successful high school production.

For choreography, they rely on choreographer Deana Pecord, a dance teacher at Notre Dame.

They rely equally on vocal director Ellen Seyer, a vocal music teacher at the school.

Jim Hindman is Notre Dame's band director and the show's conductor.

Notre Dame previously performed "Fiddler on the Roof" in 1973 and 1993. For King, hearing alumni discuss "when we did the show" is an added joy.

No joy or achievement comes without challenges, and King said her greatest challenge is finding the time and crew to build the set.

The joys and challenges combine, however, to form a production of which they can be proud. King characterized it as a show the entire family will enjoy. It is "based on the importance of family and faith and the traditions which keep us together," she said.

In addition to providing entertainment, King believes the production will leave the audience with a lasting impression and life lesson.

"To quote the musical," King said, "'Without our traditions, our lives would be as shaky as a fiddler on the roof.'"

See "Fiddler on the Roof" at 7 p.m. April 7 to 10 in the Notre Dame Cafetorium. Tickets may be purchased at notredamehighschool.org for $10.

Special group rates are available for Thursday's performance.