ISLAND OPERA TO STAGE FIDDLER ON THE ROOF MARCH 18-20

KEY WEST, Florida Keys — The fictional village of Anatevka is to become part of the island of Key West Thursday through Saturday, March 18-20, when Island Opera Theatre presents the beloved musical Fiddler on the Roof.

Telling the story of Anatevka resid ent Tevye and his family, Russian Jews struggling for survival and happiness under a czarist regime, Fiddler also focuses on universal themes that resonate with audiences from virtually any locale.

“It deals with the conflict between traditional values a nd progressive cultural evolution that every culture experiences, so it has become a theatrical work that transcends any religious or political boundaries,” says Dean Walters, Island Opera Theatre’s founder and executive director.

Now in its third seas o n, Island Opera Theatre brings a cast of 50 local performers to the stage in its production of the popular musical. Fiddler is being directed by Key West native Joaquin Romaguera, a veteran of the New York City Opera Company who was in the original Broa dw a y cast of Sweeney Todd with Angela Lansbury.

Walters himself, who has performed, directed and produced opera and musical theater for three decades, portrays Tevye in Island Opera Theatre’s production. Joy Hawkins is cast as his wife Golde, while Joh n W ells takes the part of Lazar Wolfe. Yente the matchmaker, one of the musical’s most enduring characters, is being played as a serious role by celebrated female impersonator Randy Roberts.

The orchestra for Fiddler is conducted by Vincent Zito, renown ed a s the founder of the Key West Pops Orchestra, and incorporates 13 local performers among its 20 total members.

As well as promoting local talent, Island Opera Theatre is dedicated to nurturing and training talented Florida Keys young people. Its Young Ar tists Training Program allows promising young singers to work with professional singers and musicians, while its school outreach programs benefit students in all areas of the Florida Keys.

Fiddler on the Roof opens at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 18, at the Tennessee Williams Theatre, located at 5901 College Rd. on the campus of Florida Keys Community College. A post-performance reception is to offer delicacies in the spirit of Fiddler catered by Goldman’s Deli. Subsequent performances are schedule d for 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 19-20, with a 2 p.m. matinee Saturday.

Prior to each staging of Fiddler, a lecture about the history and background of the musical is to be presented by David Roumm, president of Island Opera Theatre’s board of dir ectors. Th e lectures begin one hour before curtain time.

Tickets for the opening night performance of Fiddler on the Roof are priced at $45 to $100 per person, depending on the seat and including the after-theater reception. Tickets for the Friday and S aturday eve ning performances run $15 to $75 per person, while seats for the Saturday matinee cost $10 to $45 per person. Tickets can be purchased at the Tennessee Williams Theatre box office, by calling 305-296-1520 or on-line at www.keystix.com.

For more information about Island Opera Theatre and its production of Fiddler, call 305-294-0404 or visit www.islandopera.com. For lodging information in Key West, contact the Key West Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-LAST-KEY or explore this Web site.