The Philadelphia Orchestra to Present Fiddler on the Roof in Partnership with University Musical Society at the University of Michigan Featuring John Williams’s Complete Orchestrations Performed Live for the First Time

Broadway stars Chuck Cooper, Loretta Ables Sayre, and Chad Jennings to perform
alongside University of Michigan Musical Theatre students

(Philadelphia, February 17, 2022)––In partnership with the University Musical Society at the University of Michigan, The Philadelphia Orchestra will co-present a new semi-staged concert production of Fiddler on the Roof, March 3, 5, and 6 in Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center for Performing Arts. The performances will feature The Philadelphia Orchestra and Broadway stars sharing the stage with students from the University of Michigan’s celebrated Department of Musical Theatre. Together, they will bring to life John Williams’s Academy Award-winning orchestrations, which have been reconstructed specifically for these performances and will be heard in their entirety for the first time in live performances of the musical.

Set against the backdrop of Imperial Russian persecution of Jews in 1905, the story of Fiddler on the Roof retains its relevance in examining modern international human rights and cultural diaspora. This live production will bring the beloved musical into a new and contemporary light and will feature John Williams’s adaptation of the score by composer Jerry Bock created for the 1971 film, for which Williams received his first of many Academy Awards.

“It’s amazing to me that 50 years have transpired since this production was made,” said Williams. “Presenting this wonderful score and show in a form that’s never been heard or seen re-animates and extends the life of a great project that means so much to so many people. The story is never going to be old. It’s as basic and human as any story can ever be.”

“Fiddler on the Roof is a timeless and beloved story that remains relevant today,” said President and CEO of The Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center, Inc. Matías Tarnopolsky. “To hear John Williams’s orchestrations of the Broadway classic brought to life by The Philadelphia Orchestra is a once-in-a lifetime experience. And we greatly look forward to working with Broadway stars and the stars of tomorrow in this signature collaboration with the University of Michigan.”

Broadway veterans Chuck Cooper and Loretta Ables Sayre will star as Tevye and Golde, respectively, alongside U-M students Ella Olesen as Tzeitel, Kate Cummings as Holdel, Kelly Lomonte as Chava, Alyssa Sunew as Shprintze/Grandma Tzeitel, and Kate Louissaint as Bielke. Liz Larsen is Yente/Fruma Sarah, and Chad Jennings will appear as Lazar Wolf. Professional dancers Brian Shimasaki Liebson, Elijah Dillehay, and Logan Epstein will be joined by U-M student Cole Newburg. Conductor/Music Director Andy Einhorn will lead the performances, which are directed by Sarna Lapine and choreographed by Alison Solomon.

”This concert production of Fiddler on the Roof brings together professional artists and incredibly talented students for a truly special artistic opportunity. Watching the rehearsals progress over the course of the past several weeks in Ann Arbor has been thrilling,” said UMS President Matthew VanBesien. “We’ve seen students learning from Broadway professionals, and Broadway professionals learning from students as they explore together what tradition—and change—meant 100 years ago and what it means in today’s very different, but also very similar, world. We’re thrilled to be working with The Philadelphia Orchestra to give this production and all who are participating in it the opportunity to share this wonderful work with a broader audience.”

Fiddler on the Roof

Thursday, March 3 7:30 PM

Saturday, March 5 8:00 PM
Sunday, March 6 2:00 PM
Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts

Andy Einhorn Conductor and Music Director
Sarna Lapine Stage Director
Alison Solomon Choreographer
Mikiko Suzuki MacAdams Co-Scenic Designer
Joo Hyun Kim Co-Scenic Designer
Beth Goldenberg Costume Designer
Paul Whitaker Lighting Designer
Jim Lillie Sound Designer 

Bock/orch. Williams Fiddler on the Roof 

With nine Tony awards including Best Musical, Fiddler on the Roof sang and danced its way into America’s heart in 1964, becoming an instant classic. This March, experience John Williams’s Oscar-winning score live on stage in a unique collaboration with the University of Michigan that explores this beloved musical and its timeless theme of “Tradition!” through a modern lens. 

Book by Joseph Stein
Music by Jerry Bock
Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick
with Orchestral Arrangements by John Williams
Originally produced on the New York stage by Harold Prince
Original New York stage production directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins
Based on Sholem Aleichem stories by special permission of Arthur Perl

This presentation is a project of the University Musical Society (UMS), The Philadelphia Orchestra, and the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance/Department of Musical Theatre.
Fiddler on the Roof is presented through special arrangement with Music Theater International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also provided by MTI.

CAST

*University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance student performer

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About The Philadelphia Orchestra

About Yannick Nézet-Séguin

About the 2021–22 Season

About the Digital Stage

Our Commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access Strategies (IDEAS) 

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CONTACTS:

Ashley Berke                                                    

267.250.5148

aberke@philorch.org                                          

Alyssa Moore

215.893.3142

amoore@philorch.org