Moriah raises the fiddler roof
THREE generations of the same family, a former Olympian baseball player and his son, and many others in the Moriah College village unite to make a home for an iconic musical steeped in tradition, topped with a fiddler precariously perched on the roof, strumming familiar tunes. The doors to the production open this Sunday night, Sophie Deutsch reports.
IN contrast to his father Gavin Fingleson, a former Olympic baseball player, Moriah College student Rory Fingleson gravitates more towards musical pursuits than sporting endeavours.
Up until now, the two have struggled finding an activity to pursue as father and son, so when Rory boldy suggested that they audition for Moriah’s production of Fiddler on the Roof, Gavin embraced his nine-year-old son – and the new opportunity – with open arms.
“We’ve bonded a lot more over these last eight months,” Gavin remarked, and Rory’s experience has been similarly rewarding. “I’m really enjoying performing with my dad and friends … I like the scene where my dad is wearing a dress!” he chuckled.
Donning a frock on stage is a far cry from Gavin’s baseball days when he sported baseball tights and a leather mitt, taking home the silver medal as part of the Australian Baseball Olympic Team at the 2004 Athens Olympics, making him the first Jewish Australian Olympic medallist.
Initially, Fingleson started out in the Fiddler chorus, but being a strong team player, the former Olympian has wound up as director Roberta Goot’s go-to man.
He is now a Fruma Sarah porter, a priest cameo, a drunken Jewish man dancing, a Russian bully, and essentially steps into any shoes that Goot needs filling.
“Performing in Fiddler has been very similar to being in a baseball team. You need to be a utility player and if something needs to get done in order for the wheels to run smoothly, you just jump in,” explained Fingleson.
Coinciding with Moriah’s 75th anniversary, many talented students – in addition to alumni, staff members, parents, and even grandparents of current students – have created a toe-tapping production rich with tradition, ruach and community spirit – themes that resonate strongly with David Solomon, who, come opening night this Sunday, October 21, will have had the privilege of playing Tevye at least twice in his lifetime.
This time round, he is performing alongside an on-stage family comprising his wife Golde played by Evie Smith, Nell Cohen and Leah Reid as Tevye’s oldest daughter Tzeitel, and his other daughters Sasha Fisher starring as Hodel, and Elli Katz playing Chava.
Having performed as Tevye in Moriah’s production of Fiddler in 1994, Solomon feels “doubly blessed to be able to do it again” and his portrayal of a Jewish milkman struggling to retain his traditions amid the imposition of external influences in pre-revolutionary Russia has spurred poignant moments of personal reflection.
“In 1994, I used [playing the role of Tevye] to think long and hard about my own life … Now my children are in a world where they are facing similar issues that Tevye faces – with children rebelling against tradition.”
Now, more than ever, Fiddler carries great relevance in today’s evolving society.
“There are so many opportunities that there weren’t 50 years ago. Many children are living overseas. We were very insular then so we were able to live in our shtetl,” Solomon commented. “Now there is nowhere you could [do that], even if you wanted to.”
The two-time Tevye hopes that the audience will pause for reflection too.
“I want people to live vicariously through my portrayal of Tevye – for them to experience what he experiences. That is what I endeavour to do.”
Endeavour he does, and succeed he surely will, under the supreme guidance of Goot, who also directed the legendary production in 1994.
“Fiddler is steeped in ‘traditions’ as we are at Moriah and, more than anything, is a story of family: it speaks to the challenges we all still face in some way – and highlights the need for balance, just like the fiddler!” said Goot.
With family values inherent to the production, it is only fitting that the production operates as one big family, both in a metaphorical and literal sense.
Ilana Rozanes is playing the fiddler as she did in the 1994 production, and her mother Anne Shagrin is a villager along with Rozanes’ daughter Emma.
Head of CSG David Rothman will also be moving sets while his daughter Jaime plays the role of Shprintze on stage.
SOPHIE DEUTSCH
Info: Bookings: www.moriah.nsw.edu.au, Tickets: $65
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