Arena Stage Sets Wedding Giveaway Contest

Matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a match! Inspired by Arena Stage's upcoming production of Fiddler on the Roof, Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater will give away a free wedding, currently valued at $80,000, in the company's unique and memorable Southwest, D.C. venue. In Fiddler on the Roof-the iconic musical with universal themes of love, acceptance and tradition-Tevye's daughters work to convince him that they should be able to choose their own perfect match to marry; now one lucky D.C.-area couple has a chance to gain Tevye's approval and win the wedding of their dreams.

The winning couple will receive a free wedding ceremony, cocktail hour and reception for up to 175 guests at the Mead Center for American Theater on January 2, 2015. The full wedding package includes free use of the venue, catering and a wedding cake by RSVP Catering, décor by Design Foundry, music and lighting by Bruce Pike Productions, floral design, valet parking by MJ Valet, a bridal suite provided by Mandarin Oriental, Washington D.C., an engagement portrait session by Cameron Whitman Photography, wedding day photography and videography, an invitation to the Fiddler on the Roof official opening night performance and exclusive post-show party and other surprises as planning progresses.

Applicants should provide a written submission of up to 500 words in length along with a photo of the couple or a video submission of up to three minutes in length (via an e-mailable URL) detailing why they are the perfect match for each other and why Arena Stage should make their wedding a reality. The PDF application is available for download at arenastage.org/winawedding and should be emailed with submission materials to arena@arenastage.org by August 31, 2014. No phone calls please.

The top three couples will be announced in early September, and the winning couple will be announced on September 30.

The second and third place couples will receive a free engagement photography session and a pair of tickets to the official opening night of Fiddler on the Roof.

One entry per couple. Contestants must be at least 18 years of age. All faiths and cultures welcome. Winning couple is responsible for obtaining a ceremony officiant and wedding license, and may also be responsible for invitations, wedding attire, hair and make-up.

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of an American classic! More than just a poor milkman, Tevye is a humble Jewish father who finds his devotion to God severely tested by his headstrong daughters who want to be their own matchmakers and the increasingly ruthless government forcing him from his land. With a jubilant and masterful score including "If I Were a Rich Man," "Sunrise, Sunset," "Matchmaker, Matchmaker" and "Tradition," Fiddler on the Roof is a celebration of family, community and life's unexpected miracles, large and small. Directed by Artistic Director Molly Smith and starring Tony Award nominee Jonathan Hadary (Broadway's All Shook Up, The Best Man, Spamalot, Gypsy), as Tevye, Fiddler on the Roof runs October 31, 2014 -January 4, 2015 in the Fichandler Stage.

Fiddler on the Roof is generously sponsored by Altria and the William S. Abell Foundation.

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater, under the leadership of Artistic Director Molly Smith and Executive Producer Edgar Dobie, is a national center dedicated to American voices and artists. Arena Stage produces plays of all that is passionate, profound, deep and dangerous in the American spirit, and presents diverse and ground-breaking work from some of the best artists around the country. Arena Stage is committed to commissioning and developing new plays through the American Voices New Play Institute. Arena Stage impacts the lives of more than 20,000 students annually through its work in community engagement. Now in its seventh decade, Arena Stage serves a diverse annual audience of more than 300,000. arenastage.org.