CELEBRATION “40”

 40 years is a long time... and when it’s a community theater company,,, it’s REALLY a long time!

Vallejo Music Theatre, celebrating its 40th Season, opens with “Fiddler on the Roof,” July 14 and runs for 11 performances through August 5.

“We’re changing the format of our opening show,” said the group’s President, Sue Blakeley.  “We’re moving our gala dinner from a Saturday night to a Sunday afternoon, adding wine tasting, and Touro University has invited us to tour a performance to their outdoor amphitheater,” she added.  “Plus we’ve got a lot of other changes in the works...”

The Gala Dinner Theater and Auction will be held Sunday, July 16 at the Fetterly Playhouse for the Arts, 3467 Sonoma Blvd., Suite 10, Vallejo.  The afternoon begins at 2 PM under a tent with wine tasting by Sterling Vineyards and a silent auction in the Promenade in front of the theater.  At 3 PM City Lights Catering will serve a mid-afternoon meal in the theater and gallery and at 4 PM the curtain goes up on “Fiddler on the Roof.”  Cost for the afternoon, including all food, beverages and the show is $50 per person.

A Special Weekend Deal is offered July 14 and 15 with all seats priced at $13 – curtain is at 8 PM.  The matinee at 2 PM July 23 is priced at $15 and the audience is invited to stay for dessert and question and answers with the cast on stage after the show.

Other performances include July 21, 22, 28, 29, August 4 & 5 at 8 PM. Tickets to these performances are $20 general, $18 seniors/military and $15 for students.  Children 5 & under are admitted free.

The Special Event Performance, a “Fiddler Sing-Along” will be held July 30 at the Touro University Amphitheater on Mare Island and is sponsored by Touro and the Vallejo Times-Herald.  Doors open at 2 PM, the show goes up at 3 PM.   General Admission is $10, students, seniors and military are $8.  The lawn seating in front of the stage will hold upwards of 2,500 people.  Attendees are invited to bring picnics, blankets, legless lawn chairs and mats to enjoy the beautiful surroundings.  VMT will have a concession stand and beer and wine booth.   Alcoholic beverages will not be allowed to be brought in.  Only companion or seeing-eye dogs will be admitted on the grounds.  To make reservations for all performances please call 707.649.2787 or purchase tickets at the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum in beautiful downtown Vallejo, 734 Marin Street or the theater offices at 823 Marin Street.

“Fiddler” written by Joseph Stein, with music by Jerry Bock and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick is being directed and Choreographed by Pamela Lourentzos, of Sacramento; musical direction is by Lana Poklad of Vacaville.       

The role of Tevye, the Dairyman is being played by Vallejoan Robert W. Wilson, the role of Golde is being played by Linda Crebbin-Coates of Lafayette.  Other roles include Julio Lopez, Vallejo, as Lazar Wolfe; Adele Margrave, Vallejo as Yente;  Donald Atwater, Vallejo, as Motel; Sarah Rozett, Benicia as Tzeitel; Rudy Brown, Vallejo, as Perchik; Whitney Mitchell, Vallejo, as Hodel; Travis Orth, Vallejo, as Fyedka; Rebecca Crebbin-Coates, Lafayette as Chava; Aria McAninch, Benicia, as Shprintze; Meghan Crebbin-Coates, Lafayette, as Bielke;  Maija Calcagono, Vallejo as Fruma Sarah; Jennifer Camp, Martinez, as Grandma Tzeitel.  Other players include John Crebbin-Coates, Lafayette, as Sasha; Bruce Benson, American Canyon, as Avrahm, Roger Vaughan, Vallejo as Mordcha; Leo Guison, Vallejo, as The Rabbi; Dean Gilman, Benicia, as The Constable; Jun Dumlao, Vallejo, as The Begger; Lee Ann D’Amato, Vallejo, as Shandel; Kevin deCaccia, Vallejo, as Mendel.  Chorus members include: from Vallejo: Chris Aguda, Stephanie Arguello, Emily Brodderick, Meggy Bueno, Michelle Cavagnuolo, Sherrie Connelly, Rennie Cruz, Elizabeth Fernandez, Sabrina Fernandez, Mindy Hackett, Andrew Hayes, Kiernan Morgan, Melissa Morgan, Alma Pader-Williams, Don Pirl, Pam Pogojeff, Laura Pyles, Purita Sandiland, Jasmine Staup, Kimberly Webb, and Wendy Yung.  From American Canyon, Richard Lederer; from Benicia, Nancy Gilman, Tara McAninch and Sarah Ziogas; from Concord, Laura Davis; from Napa, Aninio Ferrini, Arianna, Katya, Sophia and Zane Kampton; from Vacaville, Noel Nevers; from Suisun, Robin Murry and from Fairfield, Julianna Kohley and Melissa McCann.  This is the largest cast since 1999 when VMT produced “Brigadoon” on the Hogan Stage. 

“This is a return to our roots... involving large casts and lots of families,” added Blakeley.

Left to Right: Don Atwater as Motel, Sarah Rozett as Tzeitel, Whitney Mitchell as Hodel, Aria McAninch as Shprintze, Rudy Brown as Perchik, Travis Orth as Fyedka (click for more Pictures)