Summer Lyric’s ‘Fiddler’ runs till Sunday

It was only three and a half years ago that Randy Cheramie tackled the role of Tevye the milkman in the Jefferson Performing Arts Center’s production of “Fiddler on the Roof.” The beloved Sheldon Harnick and Jerry Bock musical has been a mainstay with Cheramie. He has played the role five times before and each times the plaudits from the local theatre critics and community has been resoundingly positive.

Randy Cheramie reprises his role as Tevye in "Fiddler on the Roof," opening Thursday night. (©Michael Palumbo Photography)

Now, thanks to Tulane’s Summer Lyric Theatre, Cheramie gets another opportunity to showcase his talent in bringing the character of the poor milkman, his wife and five daughters to the stage. “Fiddler on the Roof” is not just about Cheramie, though. Celeste Veillon plays the role of Golde, Tevye’s devoted wife. Veillon was recently seen in a supporting role in JPAS’s “The Light in the Piazza,” but Summer Lyric audiences will recall her in the production of Steven Sondheim’s “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” two years ago. Playing the roles of Tevye’s three daughters Tzeitel, Chava and Hodel are Tulane Music Department students Ali Bloomston, Allie Zodin and Jenna Winston, respectively.

Rob Pavlovich, a veteran New Orleans actor who (along with his director and choreographer wife Diane Lala) spends summers at Tulane Summer Lyric, will be Lazar Wolf the butcher. Francine Segal, who has worked as a dialect coach for several big name stars has also been busy in front of several Hollywood cameras for films like “The Hot Flashes” with Daryl Hannah and Brook Shields. She will portray Yente the matchmaker, her first time back to the New Orleans stage in two years. Peter Elliott, the sensational Billy from Summer Lyric’s recent staging of “Anything Goes” returns as Motel Kamzoil, the tailor. Meanwhile, Temple Sinai Cantor Joel Colman returns to the Summer Lyric Theatre stage as Mordcha the innkeeper, a role he reprises from a decade ago (See related story in CCJN’s feature story last week.). Highly regarded choreogapher Alton Geno will direct the production, while Jauné Buisson will serve as choreographer. Award winning Martin Sachs will return as lighting director as does music director C. Leonard Raybon, who seems to get better with each new production.

Remaining performances are held Friday and Saturday nights at 8:00 p.m. with matinees at 2:00 p.m. Tickets start at $28.00 and may be scarce. Call 504-865-5269 for more information.