The Spotlight Community Theatre troupe will perform the classic musical “Fiddler on the Roof” next week.
The shows are scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Aug. 7-9, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 10, at the Jefferson High School Performing Arts Center, 7 Blue Jay Way, south of Festus.
Tickets cost $20 and may be purchased at spotlightjeffco.ludus.com or at the door.
The cast and crew are made up of people from all around Jefferson County and beyond.
Courtney Wisely, who founded the community theater group, said the show has special meaning for her, which is one of the reasons she chose it for the next production.
“‘Fiddler’ is the first musical I was ever in, when I was 14 years old, and it is the show that solidified my love for live theater,” said Wisely of Festus, who is directing the production. “Without this show, I would have never aspired to grow up and start a community theater, so directing this has been a full-circle moment for me.”
She said she has the right people to put on “Fiddler on the Roof,” a musical known for iconic songs like “If I Were a Rich Man,” “Sunrise, Sunset,” “Tradition,” “Matchmaker” and “Do You Love Me?”
“I have dreamed of directing this show for 25 years, and this cast has gone above and beyond in every way possible,” she said. “I would also be remiss if I didn’t mention the incredible crews that have dedicated so much time to this show.”
The musical is set in the small village of Anatevka and tells the story of Tevye, a poor milkman, who tries to protect his five daughters and instill them with traditional values “in the face of changing social mores and the growing anti-Semitism of czarist Russia,” Wisely said. “But the show ‘cuts around barriers of race, class, nationality and religion, leaving audiences crying tears of laughter, joy and sadness.’
“Every detail of Anatevka has been curated by our absurdly talented costume, set and props crews and is being brought to life by a company of actors that truly dazzle me with their talent and dedication.”
Wisely said that while the show does not have any strong language, it may not be the best show for youngsters.
“Any age can see it, but younger ones might not be able to understand or appreciate it,” she said.
In addition to Wisely, those overseeing the production are assistant director Emily Hilligoss of Hillsboro, music director Debbie Anderson of Festus and stage managers Jenny Ditto of Oakville and Kaylie Grunow and Sarah Drury, both of Festus.
Wisely said the principal cast members include Keith Boyer and Amanda Boyer of Hillsboro; Kelsey Kort, Erin Bingenheimer and Austin Sitz of Festus; Anna Fischer of Barnhart; Scott Ewers of Eureka; and Myksean Blair and Isabelle Zurcher of St. Louis.
Those in the ensemble include Becca Peach and Sean Maloney of Arnold; Brandon Daugherty, Jim Siebert and O Silva-Noah of Crystal City; Carter Ongesel, Cassie Shropshire and Robert Jones of De Soto; Bill Seek, Finn Kort, Gwen Kort, Haylee Sitz, Kailynne Brooke, Landon Sanford, Leslie Hoff, Lynn Siebert, Nick Sullivan, Norbert Eberhardt, Samantha Roberson and Stella Drury of Festus; Chad Godier of Herculaneum; Angie Ruble, Chris Vancil, Je’net Kreitner, Sarah Smith-Haynes and Vivienne Hilligoss of Hillsboro; Jen Kerner of Maryland Heights; Alice Ditto of Oakville; Buffy Parrish of O’Fallon; Amanda Somers, Ben Somers, Clementine Somers and Isabel Somers of Richwoods; and Caleb Potter, Elizabeth Leigh, Mikee Olegario, Natalie Way and Zane Moore of St. Louis.
The Spotlight Community Theatre group is a nonprofit organization founded in 2022 and based in Festus.
“We do not have any problem attracting new members to Spotlight,” Wisely said. “We have 526 members. It just keeps growing. We can use people in many different capacities on stage and behind the scenes.”
Be on the lookout for “Front Page Sounds,” a mini concert featuring Spotlight actors performing one or more songs from “Fiddler on the Roof” that will soon be posted on the Leader Publications Facebook page and YouTube channel, as well as its website at myleaderpaper.com.