The League of American Theatres and Producers and The Harlem Children's Zone invited dozens of at-risk families to see Fiddler On The Roof on Tuesday night, August 2nd as part of the new program, Family First Nights. The group had also seen Brooklyn back on May 24th.
After the show, the families got a chance to do a talkback with members of the cast including Laura Shoop (Hodel), Michael Therriault (Motel), Michael Tommer (Boy) and Harvey Fierstein (Tevye). The program is being piloted in New York with the Harlem Children's Zone, which will identify appropriate families, coordinate family participation, and organize transportation and other logistics. Time Warner is the corporate sponsor for the New York City pilot. In addition to providing orchestra tickets for families who may not otherwise be able to attend live theatre, all participating families received family theatre packets. These included study guides about the story of the production, backstage information about what to expect when they get to the theatre, information about Times Square, and a CD, to help familiarize them with the production. About Fiddler On The Roof The show is currently running at the Minskoff Theatre with Harvey Fierstein as Tevye. Fierstein will remain with the show until closing date on January 8. Based on the stories of Sholom Aleichem, the production currently stars Nancy Opel, Sally Murphy, Laura Shoop, Tricia Paoluccio, Peter Matthew Smith, Paul Anthony Stewart and Patrick Heusinger. The show's immortal score features by Jerry Bock and lyrics by Sheldon as well as a book by Joseph Stein. Jonathan Butterell strongly based his musical staging on Jerome Robbins' original choreography, and the production features musical direction by Kevin Stites, orchestrations by Don Walker, sets by Tom Pye, costumes by Vicki Mortimer, lighting by Brian MacDevitt and sound by Acme Sound Partners.
About The Harlem Children's Zone, Inc. Founded in 1970, Harlem Children's Zone, Inc. is a pioneering, non-profit, community-based organization that works to enhance the quality of life for children and families in some of New York City's most devastated neighborhoods. Formerly known as Rheedlen Centers for Children and Families, HCZ Inc.'s 15 centers serve about 12,000 people, including over 8,000 at-risk children. The emphasis of its work is not just on education, social service and recreation, but on rebuilding the very fabric of community life. About The League of American Theatres and Producers, Inc. The League of American Theatres and Producers, Inc., founded in 1930 and operating under the trademark "Live Broadway," is the national trade association for the Broadway industry. The League's 500-plus members include theatre owners and operators, producers, presenters, and general managers in over 140 North American cities, as well as suppliers of goods and services to the theatre industry. Broadway industry programs initiated by the League include Kids' Night on Broadway; Broadway On Broadway, an annual outdoor concert in Times Square; generationbroadway.com (a website devoted exclusively to kids interested in Broadway); The Broadway Line, a national toll-free Broadway information hotline (888-BROADWAY); Broadway Ticket Center, LiveBroadway.com, and ILoveNYTheater.com, a multi-lingual Broadway website. Each year, League members bring Broadway to nearly 30 million people in New York and on tour across the U.S. and Canada.
Michael Tommer (Boy), Laura Shoop (Hodel) and Michael Therriault (Motel) Joined by Harvey Fierstein Michael answers questions from the kids in the program Laura Shoop Michael looks up while explaining the dream sequence Michael, Laura, Michael and Harvey "We'll let Harvey take this one" Harvey was delighted with all the questions about the show and his career. a parting shot of Harvey having fun with the crowd.