THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, June 21, 1995 TAG: 9506200125
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 05 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JO-ANN CLEGG, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
It's not surprising that the acting troupe dubbed the ABC Players (as in A for Roman Catholic Church of the Ascension, B for Beth Chaverim Reform Jewish Congregation and C for Community United Methodist Church) should choose as their first venture the venerable musical ``Fiddler on the Roof.''
According to Beth Bridges, director of Christian education at Community Church, the story of ``Fiddler'' is one that has meaning to both Christians and Jews. ``It's a story of Jewish faith that is also one of Christian heritage,'' she said. ``It's about traditions and faith, changing traditions, that everyone can relate to.''
It's also a very good choice to showcase the talent and dedication of more than 100 members of the three religious groups who have been working together for several months onstage, backstage and in the community to make the production a success.
While this is the first time in front of the lights for some members of the large cast, director David Springstead has more than a nodding acquaintance both with the theater in general and ``Fiddler'' in particular.
Springstead, who was involved with many productions at the Parks and Recreation Department's late Kempsville Playhouse, plays the lead role of Tevye, the poor Jewish dairy farmer with five daughters in turn-of-the-century Czarist Russia. It's his seventh outing in the part.
``I played it five times in Ohio before I came here,'' Springstead said, ``and this is the second time I've done it in Virginia Beach.''
A member of Community United Methodist, he plays a very convincing Tevye right down to shrugs, eye rolls and a few pointed questions aimed heavenward.
Bridges is also convincing as Yente, the town's professional, meddling matchmaker.
``I just give them that look,'' she said casting a disapproving eye on Tevye's daughter Tzeitel (Amy Popp of Ascension) and her groom Motel (Mark Flanagan, also of Ascension), the young couple who bypassed her services to make their own match.
Although this is only the second time on stage for Nate Rubin of Beth Chaverim he's had little trouble getting into his role as the rabbi.
When he does have a problem, he knows where to turn. He calls on his own rabbi, Israel Zoberman.
``The other night I said to him `Help, I need a blessing for a sewing machine for the show,' '' Rubin said, ``and he came up with one, just like that.'' MEMO: ``Fiddler on the Roof'' continues through Sunday (except Friday) at
7:30 p.m. at Larkspur Middle School on Princess Anne Road. Tickets are
$10 in advance, $11 at the door. Call 495-0342 to order. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by Jo-Ann Clegg
Left to right, Beth Bridges, Amy Popp, Mark Flanagan and Nate Rubin
of The ABC Players in the wedding scene of ``Fiddler on the Roof.''
by CNB