Fiddler on the Roof: Driver Middle School Faculty Staff Production

Tradition, with a considerable touch of music, dance, tears, and laughter, was the order of the evening as the Driver Middle School (DMS) faculty/staff presented the musical production of “Fiddler on the Roof” in the Aitchison Auditorium. The play, which took place on February 11th and 12th, was directed by Diane Mueller, AIS Math Teacher. Mueller has been a theatrical inspiration in the Marcellus Central School District for more than 15 years. She has produced and directed musical plays with both students and faculty/staff. Funds collected from her theatrical productions, which have included “Annie”, “The Wizard of Oz”, and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” have been donated to charitable causes such as Books for Africa, the Jumbo Jipya School in Kenya, the Marcellus Faculty Association Scholarship Fund, and to local Marcellus families in need. All proceeds from this year’s presentation of “Fiddler on the Roof” will be donated to improving the audio system in the Aitchison Auditorium at Driver Middle School. Mueller is retiring at the end of this school year and she chose “Fiddler” for her farewell production because of the play’s emphasis on family, tradition, and tolerance. Mueller also wanted to take a risk and try a play she had not done before. “Fiddler on the Roof” tells the story of a small Jewish village in Russian Ukraine in the time of Tzars, “where ordinary people live, making the best of a not very encouraging set of circumstances.” Musical selections from the DMS production of the award winning Broadway musical included “Tradition”, “If I Were a Rich Man”, “Sunrise, Sunset”, “Matchmaker”, “Do You Love Me”, and “Anatevka”. The DMS faculty/staff production was highlighted by colorful costumes, innovative sets, and a featured ensemble cast whose energy and talent never wavered. Cast and crew are listed below:
Cast:
Tevye – Steve Nabinger
Golde – Mary Jo Hoeft
Tevye Daughters:
Tzeitel- Erin Watson
Hodel – Debbie Bowman
Chava – Becky Eaton
Sprintze – Lorraine Reynolds
Bielke - Juliet Nabinger
Yente – Emma McHugh
Motel – Bill Manciocchi
Perchik – Dean Olin
Fyedka – Dean Kloss
Lazar Wolf – Mike Dardaris
Mordcha – Mary Ellen Koloski
Avram – Jessica Hehl
Mendel – Mary Nichols
Constable – Shelly Stepien
Fiddler – Peggy Sundberg
Sasha – Erin Mahoney
Rabbi – George Mango
Yussell – Anita Pawlewicz
Villagers – Diane Brostek, Joanne Loudermilk, Megan Nolan, Sue Tavolacci, Helen Thorpe
Village Children – Ava Dardaris, Grace Hoey, Kendall Koloski, David Murphy, Matthew Murphy, Shannon Reynolds, Andrew Reynolds
Russians – Craig Johnson and John Scanlon

Production Staff:
Director – Diane Mueller
Choreography – Peggy Sundberg
Props Mistress – Hannah Naczi
Curtain – Mikaela Scanlon
Light board – Cecil Nelson, Aaron Fern
Spotlights – Bobby Mayers, Neil Minet
Stage Crew – James Murphy, Michael Clark, Genna Rao, Jason Gerbsch, Maggie Fiacchi, Dylan Felty, David Taddeo
Set Design – Katrina Ercole, Brad Dates, Stephanie Dardaris, Cast
Program – Janet O’Mara
Publicity – Dave Taddeo
Rehearsal Accompanist – Michael Clark
Costume – Mary Toman and cast
Prelude – Michael Clark and Genna Rao
Motel’s wedding costume donated by Men’s Warehouse

A special thanks goes out to Michael Clark, DMS 8th grader. Michael put in hundreds of hours of hard work with the music for the show. His help with rehearsals was priceless. Michael not only played the music but transposed it to the actual rehearsals and practices. Michael is commended for his fine work ethic and his creativity.