• About
  • Support AJW
  • Jewish Community Directory
  • Subscription Information
  • Contact Us
American Jewish World
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • All
    • Africa
    • Asia
    • Australia & New Zealand
    • Europe
    • Israel/Mideast
    • Latin America
    • Minnesota
    • US & Canada
    Rabbi Harold Kravitz steps down

    Rabbi Harold Kravitz steps down

    Les Block, our music maven

    Les Block, our music maven

    ‘Rav’ and ‘chaver,’ rabbi and friend, Kassel Abelson dies at 99

    ‘Rav’ and ‘chaver,’ rabbi and friend, Kassel Abelson dies at 99

  • Arts
    • All
    • Blue Box
    • Books & Literature
    • Music
    • Televison & Film
    • Theater & Performing Arts
    • Visual Arts
    Les Block, our music maven

    Les Block, our music maven

    Journey to the old land of woe

    Journey to the old land of woe

    Jews bring the funny to the Fringe

    Jews bring the funny to the Fringe

  • Lifestyle
    • All
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Health & Wellness
    • Home & Garden
    • Travel & Culture
    Robyn Frank finds her niche in the cookie business

    Robyn Frank finds her niche in the cookie business

    Editorial: More from my European vacation

    Editorial: More from my European vacation

    Our Rosh Hashana special edition

    Our Rosh Hashana special edition

  • Editorial
  • Opinion
  • AJW Digital Archives
  • News
    • All
    • Africa
    • Asia
    • Australia & New Zealand
    • Europe
    • Israel/Mideast
    • Latin America
    • Minnesota
    • US & Canada
    Rabbi Harold Kravitz steps down

    Rabbi Harold Kravitz steps down

    Les Block, our music maven

    Les Block, our music maven

    ‘Rav’ and ‘chaver,’ rabbi and friend, Kassel Abelson dies at 99

    ‘Rav’ and ‘chaver,’ rabbi and friend, Kassel Abelson dies at 99

  • Arts
    • All
    • Blue Box
    • Books & Literature
    • Music
    • Televison & Film
    • Theater & Performing Arts
    • Visual Arts
    Les Block, our music maven

    Les Block, our music maven

    Journey to the old land of woe

    Journey to the old land of woe

    Jews bring the funny to the Fringe

    Jews bring the funny to the Fringe

  • Lifestyle
    • All
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Health & Wellness
    • Home & Garden
    • Travel & Culture
    Robyn Frank finds her niche in the cookie business

    Robyn Frank finds her niche in the cookie business

    Editorial: More from my European vacation

    Editorial: More from my European vacation

    Our Rosh Hashana special edition

    Our Rosh Hashana special edition

  • Editorial
  • Opinion
  • AJW Digital Archives
No Result
View All Result
Morning News
No Result
View All Result
Home Arts

'Fiddler' is back at Chanhassen by popular demand

American Jewish World by American Jewish World
May 23, 2020
in Arts
0
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Beloved musical’s run has been extended through Feb. 22

By JOEL RIPPEL
Since first appearing on Broadway in 1964, Fiddler on the Roof has been one of the most popular musicals of the last 50 years.
The enduring classic, which was the first musical to surpass 3,000 stage performances and held the record for the longest-running Broadway musical for almost 10 years, has a lot of fans in Minnesota. Over the last 10 years, Fiddler has been the most requested show for the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres.
In September, the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres began production of the show for the fifth time — but the first time in 20 years. It’s the only show that Chanhassen has produced that many times in the theater’s 45-year history.

Serena Brook (left) plays Tzeitel and Nancy Marvy (right) plays Yente the matchmaker in Fiddler on the Roof. Photo by Michal Daniel/Chanhassen Dinner Theatre
Serena Brook (left) plays Tzeitel and Nancy Marvy (right) plays Yente the matchmaker in Fiddler on the Roof. Photo by Michal Daniel/Chanhassen Dinner Theatre

Two actors with ties to Minnesota and to Fiddler on the Roof have prominent roles in the Chanhassen production, which has been extended through Feb. 22.

Serena Brook, an Eagan High School and University of Minnesota-Duluth graduate, is making her Chanhassen Dinner Theater debut in the role of Tzeitel. Minnesotan Nancy Marvy, a graduate of the University of Minnesota, plays Yente, the matchmaker.
Brook, a member of Shir Tikvah Congregation who has lived in New York the last four years, also has a family connection to the original Broadway production of Fiddler. Her great-uncle, Zvee Scooler, played Mordcha the innkeeper in that production and played the Rabbi in the musical’s 1971 film version.
“I grew up seeing shows at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre,” Brook told the AJW, “on kids-eat-free Sundays. I remember seeing Keith (Rice, who plays Tevye in this production) in Brigadoon and My Fair Lady. We used to ask my grandmother on Passover and the holidays, ‘Where’s Zvee?’ And, she’d say, ‘He’s got a show.’”
Scooler also appeared in Woody Allen’s film Love and Death.
“I went to Eagan High School which had a great theater program, that did five productions a year,” Brook said. “Two other Eagan High School graduates are in this production.”
Marvy, who has worked in TV and films, said she feels fortunate to be in this production.
“It’s such a joy to do,” Marvy told the AJW. “I’m so blessed. It’s such a wonderful show and production. I’m so proud of it.”
Brook and Marvy agree that the production has wide appeal.
“It’s set in Russia in 1905 just before the Revolution,” said Marvy. “It’s very specific. But the story is really a story of the immigrant experience. Keith’s Tevye is a force of nature.”
Brook said, “My brother came to a show and he said he thought he was the only Jewish person in the audience. The show is written so specific, without being exclusive.”
The production schedule includes eight performances each week. Despite the demanding schedule (Tuesday through Sunday, with matinees on Wednesday and Saturday), Brook and Marvy are enjoying the production.

Serena Brook (third from right) is in her first production at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre. Photo by Michal Daniel/Chanhassen Dinner Theatre.
Serena Brook (third from right) is in her first production at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre. Photo by Michal Daniel/Chanhassen Dinner Theatre.

“This is not only my first show at the Chanhassen,” said Brook, “it’s my first eight-show week. But it’s so enjoyable. I’m working with others, who were in the last [Chanhassen] production of Fiddler. That gives you a deep sense of community. The review in the [Minneapolis] Star Tribune said we had a sense of teamwork.”
Marvy agreed, “That makes it believable.”
An added benefit for Brook has been that family members and people from her synagogue have been able to attend.
“It’s so nice that they connect,” Brook said.
(American Jewish World, 12.20.13)

READ ALSO

Les Block, our music maven

Journey to the old land of woe

Related Posts

Les Block, our music maven
Minnesota

Les Block, our music maven

August 8, 2023
Journey to the old land of woe
Books & Literature

Journey to the old land of woe

August 7, 2023
Jews bring the funny to the Fringe
Theater & Performing Arts

Jews bring the funny to the Fringe

August 7, 2023
Repressing memories of a week in 1970
Books & Literature

Repressing memories of a week in 1970

July 23, 2023
A guide to Jewish artists at Twin Cities art fairs
Visual Arts

A guide to Jewish artists at Twin Cities art fairs

July 17, 2023
Book explores the bard of Hibbing’s local roots
Books & Literature

Book explores the bard of Hibbing’s local roots

July 12, 2023
Next Post

An era ends at JFS: Rena Waxman retires

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

RECENT ARTICLES

Rabbi Harold Kravitz steps down

Rabbi Harold Kravitz steps down

August 9, 2023
News from the Jewish World — and the Jewish world

News from the Jewish World — and the Jewish world

August 9, 2023
Les Block, our music maven

Les Block, our music maven

August 8, 2023
‘Rav’ and ‘chaver,’ rabbi and friend, Kassel Abelson dies at 99

‘Rav’ and ‘chaver,’ rabbi and friend, Kassel Abelson dies at 99

August 10, 2023
Journey to the old land of woe

Journey to the old land of woe

August 7, 2023

About

Since 1912 the AJW has served as an important news resource for the Jewish community. The Jewish World unites the main Jewish communities in St. Paul and Minneapolis, as well as those in Duluth, Rochester and smaller cities, and bridges the divides between the various Jewish religious streams.

Quick Links

  • About the AJW
  • Advertising Information
  • Submission Guidelines
  • Subscription Information
  • Jewish Community Directory

Contact Us

The American Jewish World
3249 Hennepin Ave., Suite 245
Minneapolis, MN 55408

Tel: 612.824.0030 / Fax: 612.823.0753
editor@ajwnews.com

  • Buy JNews
  • Landing Page
  • Documentation
  • Support Forum

© 2023 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.

No Result
View All Result
  • Homepages
    • Home Page 1
  • News
  • Food
  • Health & Wellness
  • Lifestyle
  • Opinion

© 2023 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.