Curtain soon to go up on 'Fiddler'
By Anya Tikka
MILFORD — Right through spring break, when other teens were kicking back or visiting places with palm trees, the Drama Club at the Delaware Valley High School was hard at work right here in Milford.
That's because their spring musical, "Fiddler on the Roof," from April 8 to 10, is fast upon them. They want to give their production the "wow" factor for audiences by truly embodying their roles.
During a recent visit by the Courier, the cast members were going deep. They talked about the difficult roles they'd taken on, and how well they were getting to know them inside and out.
A handful of cast members gathered around director Kim Golden while students from other high school programs built props under the supervision of Laura Walsh, stage manager and set designer.
Megan Krause, who plays Golde, and Alyssa Mancuso, who plays Chave, sat in a corner with Golden, going over their dialog and the motivations of their characters.
Seventeen-year-old Megan plays the sharp-tongued Golde, a woman much older than herself, who is a mother many times over.
Golde considers herself the head of the household, Megan said.
“We have five daughters, and we work, and I am the mother,” she said. “It’s a bit of a struggle."
Alyssa’s character, Chave, plays the middle daughter, intellectual and curious.
“She’s interested in the world, and she learns about it through her books," said Alyssa. "She’s worldly and wise beyond her years.”
Alyssa says that in real life she’s more outgoing than Chave.
“She’s not as crazy as I am," Alyssa said.
“It’s the first time I’m in the show, so it’s very exciting to get to know a character," said Aspen.
In the story, Tzeitel and the village tailor, Motel, played by David Torres, become engaged, marry, and have children of their own. Their roles span many years.
“She’s very different from me, so it’s been difficult, but also very enjoyable,” Aspen said.
David said Motel "is not really pathetic, but he’s so shy, so cowardly, because he loves this girl so much. It’s about his transformation from man to boy throughout the play. My character and Tzeitel’s character are the only ones who go from being daughter and son to being mom and papa. You really see our characters grow from point A to point B. For me, never having been a parent it’s a little hard, a little stretch. But I do enjoy playing it, I can relate to it.”
David and Aspen worked with Director Golden on how to play a couple in love. But they also said, laughing: It helps that we’ve known each other since third grade!
Molly Scollo, who plays Hodel, said with a big smile: “I think what’s helped me the most is, I’m a daddy’s girl, just like Hodel. I’m developing my character, and it’s been a great experience.”
Hodel is 15, Molly's own age.
Kris Tjornhom plays Perchik, a student from Kiev who comes to the town ruled by tradition.
“He thinks, 'They are ridiculous, nonsense,' and he can’t see how they can hold to them while the world is changing,” said Kris.
He described Perchik as an unemotional, educated man who thinks everyone should change with the times. Because of that, Kris finds him a little hard to portray.
Laura Walsh, the stage manager, said that on the night of the performance, she coordinates with the lighting crew and director, and oversees setting up the stage to make sure everything runs smoothly. She’s been with the drama club for 11 years.
Helping her were high school students Adam Parent, Shira Michel, Kayla Bicskei, and Will Tidridge, the set builder. A bigger group puts up the stage set.
Kayla, Shira, and Adam said they love to paint, and are enjoying getting the scene ready to go.
“Everything’s coming up beautifully, and it’s going to be a show you won’t want to miss,” Golden said.