J*COMPANY KICKS OFF “CHAI” SEASON OF JEWISH-THEMED MUSICALS WITH FIDDLER ON THE ROOF 

LA JOLLA, CA – The award-winning J*Company Youth Theatre, a program of the San Diego Center for Jewish Culture at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, JACOBS FAMILY CAMPUS, is pleased to announce its production of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF with music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, and book by Joseph Stein.  The production will run October 15-24, 2010, at the David & Dorothea Garfield Theatre.    

Tevye, a poor dairyman in the little village of Anatevka, tries to instill in his seven daughters the traditions of his tight-knit Jewish community in the face of changing social mores and the growing anti-Semitism of Czarist Russia.  He must cope with the strong-willed actions of his three older daughters and the edict of the Czar that evicts the Jews from their village.  Rich in historical and ethnic detail, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF’s universal theme of tradition cuts across barriers of race, class, nationality and religion, leaving audiences crying tears of laughter, joy and sadness.  The musical features such hits as “Tradition,” “Miracle of Miracles,” “Sunrise, Sunset,” and “To Life!”  The show is appropriate for all ages.

“This season J*Company presents the first ever Jewish-themed ‘Chai’ season and I hope all will come to support and be involved in the productions,” said Joey Landwehr, J*Company Artistic Director. “The only way to start a season, such as this, is with one of the most beautiful and iconic Jewish productions ever written – FIDDLER ON THE ROOF.”

“The cast has become an amazing family of actors and they have created one of the most memorable productions of FIDDLER I have ever seen. There will be plenty of surprises for all as we take inspiration not only from the original book Tevye And His Daughters but also from the Marc Chagall paintings which inspired the original Broadway production,” said Landwehr.

Landwehr is directing FIDDLER ON THE ROOF.  Landwehr has worked extensively as an actor and director in New York City, both on and off Broadway, as well as in national tours and regional theatre.   He has studied under such instructors as Betty Buckley, Marcel Marceau, Francis Sternhagen, F. Murray Abraham, Twyla Tharpe, and has had the privilege of working with great performers such as Phyllis Diller, Sam Harris, Joel Grey, Kaye Ballard, Michael Feinstein, Kristen Chenowith, and Howard Keel.  Landwehr is a member of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) and Actors’ Equity Association (AEA). He was honored in 2006 by San Diego Metropolitan Magazine as one of the 40 San Diego residents under the age of 40 who are making significant contributions to the community.  Landwehr most recently directed Fireflies, South Pacific, The King and I, The Sound of Music, and Cinderella for J*Company. 

“I always like to include a learning experience for our young cast members,” said Landwehr.  “Since our production of FIDDLER has been inspired by the artwork of Marc Chagall we are teaching our wonderful young artists about art history and inspiration. Each cast member will be researching different types of artists from past and present and creating art inspired by the story of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF in the style of that artist.”

Heading the cast of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF are:

Kevin McRee               Tevye, the Dairyman                17            University City High School

Lindsey Grant               Golde, his Wife                        15            Canyon Crest Academy

Jesse Carpentier            Tzeitel, the Eldest Daughter            17            Julian Charter

Samantha Tullie            Hodel, the Second Daughter            12            Solana Santa Fe Elementary

Maddie Houts              Chava, the Third Daughter            16            Canyon Crest Academy

Adam Burnier               Motel, the Tailor                      17            High Tech High International

Josh Shtein                   Perchik, the Student                 14            High Tech High International

Kyle Fairbrother-Rota  Fyedka                           17            High Tech High International

Mara Jacobs                Yente, the Matchmaker            15            High Tech High International

Jacob Davis                  Lazar Wolf, the Butcher            17            San Diego High School

Keila Ashkenasi            Grandma Tzeitel                     14            La Jolla High School

Nathan Miller              The Rabbi                               11        Muirlands Middle School

Gabriela Lipson          Fruma-Sarah                           13         San Diego Jewish Academy 

Show Dates and Times: 

Friday, October 15, 10:00 a.m. (School Show)

Saturday, October 16, 8:00 p.m.

Sunday, October 17, 1:00 & 4:30 p.m.                

Thursday, October 21, 7:00 p.m.

Friday, October 22, 10:00 a.m. (School Show)

Saturday, October 23, 8:00 p.m.

Sunday, October 24, 1:00 & 4:30 p.m. 

General Information