Amidst the hustle and bustle of tech week, fans and actors are sad to say “The show must not go on,” or at least not yet. Actors and actresses leave the stage dark this weekend due to an unexpected delay, moving Fiddler on the Roof from April 26 through the 28th, to May 3rd and 4th. The decision to postpone the show has sent ripples throughout the school and theater department, raising questions about how future shows will handle similar setbacks and holdups. With the movement of the show dates, cast and crew are not the only events that have been affected. The OS Lion’s Basketball tournament, or “Staff versus Scholars Game,” in addition to the OS Sports’ Banquet, has also been shifted back a week. Nonetheless, Director John Marin, staff, Music Director Mark Lewis, staff, and Head of Scholars and Systems William Seidel, staff believe that the changes made during their meeting on April 25 provide the best outcome for everyone involved.
Shifts in the schedule were caused by two actors, Anthony Lopez, 11th grade, who plays Perchick, and Lorelei Wheaton, 11th grade, who plays Hodel, falling ill with Influenza-A during the start of Fiddler on the Roof’s tech week. Both actors play crucial roles in the story, as their character arcs push the musical past its climax and through to a falling action. As of now, both Wheaton and Lopez are still resting at home, continuing to stay steadfast with their lines to perform the weekend of the 3rd and 4th.
“I think rescheduling the show was a wise decision. Aside from managing illness, it allows the entire cast more time to continue refining their craft. I’m feeling much better physically compared to when my symptoms first started, and I’m very excited about the upcoming show. I appreciate that it was postponed to next weekend; if I had been forced to push through this weekend, I wouldn’t have been able to give my best performance, and I might have risked the health of my castmates as well,” said Anthony Lopez, “Perchick.”
Lorelei Wheaton, “Hodel,” agreed. “I am so very grateful about the date changes because I am unable to perform this week because of the flu. My meds seem to be working fast, so I do feel better. The cast has worked very hard and I’m excited that we have an extra week to make it even better. Please pray for the rest of the cast to not get sick as well!”
Directors John Marin, Mark Lewis, Kevi Stafford, and Madelyn Creed, staff, agree that it is in the show’s best interest to postpone shows and wait for their actors to recover from their illnesses. Fiddler on the Roof’s tech rehearsals were scheduled and handled April 22 through 26th, leading to the decision that rehearsals from April 29 through May 3 have a shorter schedule so the actors may get their rest. Director John Marin, staff, had opinions about the decision.
“When it comes to the ‘why make the decision,’ there has been so much work that has been put in not just by the directors, but by all of the actors. And when you have such a large amount of desire and hard work that you have put in, you need to make sure that you can release that to the world. And it is important that this message that we have, how much the Father loves us, we can choose to go after Him, since, kind of like the situation we have, that we can still persevere and keep going through,” said Marin.
The story and themes surrounding the musical express that family and love for one another take priority over tradition and uniformity. Tevye, a Jewish milkman, along with his wife, Golde, have to decide on whether or not to allow three of their five daughters to go against their faith and choose their destinies. Through Anti-Semitic sentiments threatening the family’s village of Anatevka, and growing tensions in Kiev during a pre-revolutionary Russia, Tevye, played by Caleb Moniz, 11th grade, decides that familial relations are of his main concern. Despite the hardships that face the family of seven, the characters find strength in their faith and community, allowing them to endure even in the face of adversity.
Other facets of the theater department have taken the schedule change as a “Miracle of Miracles.” Dance Director, Kevi Stafford, staff, believes that the change has still positively affected the cast. Her thought process is that with the new dates, the dance numbers will be even crisper, as some children can learn moves quicker than others. Head of Costuming, Michelle Beedle, agrees about how the week will allow her to put more trust into her scholar-tech crew. Music Directors Madelyn Creed, staff, and Mark Lewis, staff, feel like the additional week of practice will solidify their cast’s acting and singing abilities.
“The momentum of the show is definitely from the actor’s point of view, as sometimes energy starts to struggle with an extra week [of rehearsals], but from a director’s point of view, it is a gift from God,” said Creed.
Even with multiple main cast members resting at home, the show’s rehearsals continued through Friday, April 26. To keep the energy strong, Fiddler on the Roof’s cast was joined by directors Madelyn Creed, as Hodel, Mark Lewis, as Perchick and Tzeitel, and John Marin, as Tevye. The in-school rehearsal was live-streamed for the members at home, producing some amusing moments from the new additions.
As the school community comes to terms with the disappointment of the postponed production, there is also a strong sense of resilience and support. Teachers, parents, and scholars are rallying around the cast members affected by illness and hardships. Fiddler on the Roof’s director John Marin, staff, remains committed to delivering a spectacular show, showcasing the hard work and dedication of the talented cast members. Despite the setback, the enthusiasm and energy of the cast remains strong, reminding everyone that the show must, and will, go on.
