Classic musical comes to Geelong

Mandy Calderwood will play Tente and Haley Wood will pritray Golde in Peter Wills' Fiddler on the Roof this month. (supplied)

Producer Peter Wills says the timeless classic Fiddler on the Roof is as relevant today as it ever has been.

The classic musical comes to Geelong this month and is set in the village of Anatevka, audiences will journey with milkman Tevye, his family and all the villagers who are grappling with times of change and unrest.

Wills says that Footlight Productions had always wanted to stage the show for the Geelong community, and that it had renewed relevance for audiences even today.

“When it first opened in 1964, no one thought a show about a struggling Jewish community would become ingrained in theatre history and emerge as one of the world’s most beloved musicals,” he says.

“But, decades on, audiences still embrace the timeless tale about family, faith, displacement, refugee resettlement and most of all, hope.

“It is a powerful story, and an important reminder of how far we have come, but – more importantly – how far we still have to go.

“The other thing that makes this musical so special is its timeless soundtrack, with a sublime score featuring well-known songs including Tradition, Sunrise Sunset, Matchmaker Matchmaker and If I Were A Rich Man.”

Fiddler On The Roof stars a cast of 36 performers from Greater Geelong led by Jamie McGuane (playing Tevye), Hayley Wood, Cassie Chappell, Rose Chambers, Molly Jones, Molly Gleeson, Abbey Jones, David Mackay and Geelong theatre veteran Howard Dandy. The production is directed by multi-Green Room nominated Theatre Director Alister Smith.

Footlight Productions’ January shows have become a fixture in Geelong’s calendar, with previous hits including Chicago, Mamma Mia, Les Miserables, Beauty and the Beast, Mary Poppins and Wicked.

Fiddler on the Roof is at Sacred Heart Performing Arts Centre from January 13 to 28.

This will be the company’s first production at the centre following the temporary closure of the Geelong Performing Arts Centre.

Tickets: trybooking.com/events/landing/969103