A scene from “Fiddler on the Roof”

When you think of the community of historic Harrisburg, images of the Capitol building, bridges stretching across the Susquehanna, and the Broad Street Market may come to mind.

But tucked away in the north of the city on Hurlock Street is The Krevsky Center, the home of Theatre Harrisburg, an organization approaching a century of operation.

Originally established as Harrisburg Community Theatre  in 1926, Theatre Harrisburg now enters its 98th season by reflecting on the importance of fostering community and embracing an evolving tradition with the popular musical, “Fiddler on the Roof.”

Based on the stories by Shalom Alecheim, “Fiddler on the Roof” follows the life of Tevye, a milkman living in the village of Anatevka in the early 1900s, and his struggle to honor his religion and traditions during an unsettling and unstable time in history. Understanding that the purpose of theatre is to hold a mirror up to society and remind the audience what it means to be human, Theatre Harrisburg believes this story is more relevant than ever.

“As Harrisburg’s community theatre, our hope is for Theatre Harrisburg to be a place of safety and warmth—a place of belonging and connection,” said Lorien Reese Mahay, the theatre’s executive director.

The production team for “Fiddler on the Roof” features local standouts, choreographer Kelly Strange, musical director Marina Cherpinsky and director Kevin L. Biddle.

When asked what drew him to this project, Biddle cited the evergreen relevance of the story.

“‘Fiddler on the Roof’ is an iconic musical. It is truly a classic,” Biddle said. “The story is equal parts heart-wrenching and heart-warming.”

This is the third time that Biddle has directed the play.

“This time, I was particularly drawn to the show because of how relevant the story is in 2023,” he said. “This story speaks to us even louder and clearer today than it did in the 1960s when it was written.”

Why? Because, according to Biddle, “Fiddler on the Roof” is about community, finding balance between tradition and what is best for our family—literally, locally or globally.

“This show really emphasizes the message of Theatre Harrisburg: ‘where community takes center stage,’” Biddle said. “I encourage audiences to come see members of their own community—teachers, lawyers, students, businessmen and women, volunteers and professionals, all tell a timeless story that includes some of the best musical theatre songs ever written.”

The importance of producing meaningful stories of identity that members of our community can reflect on and relate to is not lost on the artistic team.

The core message of “Fiddler on the Roof” is also well understood by their ensemble. The play uses a very specific culture, location, and period of history to convey truly timeless and core elements of the human condition

These include the safety and security of traditions vs. how what we need and desire to evolve might contradict them; the bittersweet consequences of watching children grow up; success and failure; struggling to decide what we have faith in; learning what love is and facing the inevitability of loss; and the endurance of the human spirit in the face of gross injustices, according to Marc Lubbers, who plays the role of Tevye.

“These—and more—are issues humanity has struggled with since the beginning of its history and will continue to struggle with for the rest of it,” he said. “This is a major contribution to why ‘Fiddler’ endures.”

“Fiddler on the Roof” runs Nov. 3 to 19 at Whitaker Center, 222 Market St., Harrisburg. For more information and tickets, visit www.theatreharrisburg.com or call the box office at 717-232-5501 x2.

“Fiddler on the Roof” is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also suppled by MTI. www.mtishows.com

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