Red Octopus Theatre Company and Oregon CoastCouncil for the Arts (OCCA) are excited to announce their co-production of Fiddler on The Roof - live on stage April 12-28 in the Alice Silverman Theatre at Newport Performing Arts Center. The production is directed by Jason Holland, with music direction by Milo Graamans.

Fiddler, the beloved Tony Award-winning musical from Tony-winner Joseph Stein and Pulitzer Prize winners Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick, is filled with both humor and heart. Tevye, a poor milkman with five daughters, must weigh his family’s happiness against the traditions that have preserved a way of life in his village. Based on the stories of Sholom Aleichem and rich in historical detail, Fiddler’s universal theme of tradition and community cuts across barriers of race, class, nationality, and religion, leaving audiences crying tears of laughter, sadness, and joy. It also features one of the most iconic scores in the history of American theatre, including unforgettable numbers such as “Sunrise, Sunset,” “If I Were A Rich Man,” “Tradition,” “Matchmaker, Matchmaker,” “Far From The Home I Love,” and “To Life.”

Knowing that OCCA’s Executive Director, Jason Holland, was a seasoned theatrical director (who had not yet shared those particular talents with the localcommunity), Red Octopus Theater Company approached him last year with the idea of teaming up on a musical. The original idea was to produce a concert-style production as a fundraiser to support renovations to the Newport Performing Arts Center. Several musicals were considered, but together they selected Fiddler, and opted instead to produce a fully-staged performance.

Holland, whose previous directing credits include Sweeney Todd, Ragtime, Titanic, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Forever Plaid, Steel Magnolias, and more, is excited to return to the director’s chair for the first time since before the pandemic. “It has been a joy working with Red Octopus to put this show together,” said Holland. “I’m grateful to each and every member of our incredible cast and artistic team. We can’t wait to share this beautiful piece with our audiences.”

While Tevye is the lead in the musical, Fiddler truly is an ensemble show – and Holland has assembled an exceptional cast. In fact, most of the actors in starring or featured roles have, themselves, carried a leading role on the same stage. Mark Montminy (Tevye) was seen as Mrs. Trunchbull in Matilda the Musical, Megan Walters (Golde) as Aldonza in Man of La Mancha, Caity Showalter (Chava) as Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors, Cody Larsen (Motel) as Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Darcy Lawrence (Yente) as Nellie in South Pacific, Alex Herd (Perchik) as Maui in Moana, Jr., Joshua Lawrence (Lazar Wolf) as Jerry in The Full Monty, Lucy Furuheim (Shprintze) as Matilda in Matilda, Jr., Karlia Bertness (Fruma Sarah) as Ursula in The Little Mermaid, and Ella May Marrant (Bielke) as Lavender in Matilda the Musical. But the show also features powerhouse newcomers who are sure to become regulars on the Alice Silverman stage, such as honey-voiced Kate Miller (Hodel) from Kansas City, recent coastal transplant Kimber Keel (Grandma Tzeitel), and Clara Bird (Tzeitel), who returns to the stage after a six-year hiatus. (See www.octopusonstage.com/fiddler for complete cast list.)

But the extraordinary talent assembled for “Fiddler” isn’t all on the stage. Music director and conductor Milo Graamans has tapped some impressive talent for the live pit orchestra, as well. Perhaps most notably violinist Richard Henrickson, who was Associate Concertmaster Violin of the Broadway revival of Fiddler on the Roof - starring Chaim Topol - at the Gershwin Theatre in New York City. “Of the 33 Broadway productions in which I performed as violinist from 1973 to 2007, Fiddler on the Roof was one my very favorites, musically,” said Henrickson, “and needless to say, it was an honor to perform with Topol.”

In addition to the cast of actors and vocalists, a team of dancers assembled by choreographer Nancy Mittleman will be featured in the production. Costume design is provided by Jeri Harris, sets by Gary Herd, lights by Jason (“Huck”) Lewis, and Brian G. Robrecht is stage manager.

The production runs Fridays and Saturdays at 7:00 pm, with matinees on Sundays at 2:00 pm. All proceeds benefit OCCA’s Capital Campaign to fund renovations to the backstage areas of Newport Performing Arts Center. Tickets range from $20-$28 when purchased by phone (541-265-ARTS) or in person at the box office (777 W Olive Street).Additional fee applies to tickets purchased online. To learn more, visit www.coastarts.org/events/fiddler