Upper Darby Summer Stage Presents FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, Now thru 8/10

The crown jewel of the 38th season of Upper Darby Summer Stage is the Mainstage production, "Fiddler on the Roof, " presented today, August 2, 3, 9, 10 at Upper Darby Performing Arts Center. Directed by New York City professionals, performed by young adults up to the age of 28 and accompanied by full orchestra, the production is a fresh and innovative approach to the classic.

Winner of nine Tony Awards, including "Best Musical," "Fiddler" is an international classic, with themes that are timely and relevant. The Mainstage production is on par with any professional production and will appeal to all who appreciate high-caliber musical theater performances.

The performances are presented today, August 2, 3, 9, and 10 at 7:30 pm with a matinee performance on August 10 at 1:30 pm. Tickets are $10-$13 and may be purchased online at www.udpac.org or by calling the box office, 610.622.1189. All shows take place at the Upper Darby Performing Arts Center, 601 N. Lansdowne Ave., Drexel Hill, PA. The facility is wheel chair accessible and offers free parking.

Upper Darby Summer Stage's Mainstage program offers young adults up to the age of 28 the opportunity to collaborate in a professional atmosphere while presenting audiences with top-caliber productions that include state-of-the-art set design, lighting, and professionally designed costumes, complete with live orchestra accompaniment. Directors Marcus and Rachel Stevens, natives of Swarthmore, are New York City theater professionals. "We hold ourselves to a very high standard," said Rachel Stevens. With the Mainstage production "we're not working with kids, we're working with adults. When people come to see the show, it will be like seeing a professional production of "Fiddler" anywhere else in the city."

"Without tradition, our lives would be as shaky as a fiddler on the roof," says the main character Tevye in the opening number. A poor dairyman in 19th century Russia, Tevye and his wife Golde, along with their five daughters, attempt to live respectable lives despite the threat of imminent revolution. With the hopes of marrying off their daughters to men of some means, Tevye and his wife cling to old traditions, while their daughters defy them, wanting to marry for love instead of the custom of pre-arranged marriages.

"It's a great show for young people to find something to believe in. The cast members are connecting to it," said Rachel Stevens. "They connected to it right away...they get the universal part of it and so will the audience members," added Marcus Stevens.

Rachel Stevens is an MFA candidate at The Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University in New York City, home of the acclaimed "Inside The Actors Studio" TV series. The Richard Rodgers Award-winner, Marcus Stevens, who recently appeared in New York City's "Forbidden Broadway, Alive and Kicking," is a member of Actors' Equity Association, AFTRA, and the Dramatists Guild and has performed at the Kennedy Center, the Pittsburgh Public Theater, and the Walnut Street Theater and others. Both are natives of Wallingford and have taken part in Upper Darby Summer Stage program as participants and staff members.

The role of Tevye is played by Daniel Matarazzo of Glenolden. He is the Tenor Music Scholar at Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral. Jackie Serratore of Upper Darby plays the role Golde. Jackie received her bachelor's degree in Music Education for combined Instrumental and General/Choral Music at The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. She teaches music at Haverford Middle School. The ensemble cast features young adults from throughout the Delaware Valley.

Musical Director Gina Giachero holds a degree in Music from West Chester University. She has been the Musical Director for several Mainstage productions at Summer Stage, in addition to productions at Walnut Street Theater. The choreographer is Abby Shunskis of Upper Darby who received a BFA from Long Island University with a concentration in Acting and Theater. Costume Designer is Amy Best, a native of Kansas, who received an MFA from Northern Illinois University and has numerous professional credits. Scenic design is by Lindsey Mayer of Drexel Hill who received a BFA from Point Park University in Technical Theater.

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