MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
STERLING, Kan. — When Sterling College opens “Fiddler on the Roof” for homecoming weekend, the audience may include people who helped bring the musical to the college stage decades ago.
The Oct. 2-4 production is Sterling College Theatre’s fourth staging of the show. Previous productions were mounted in 1971, 1987 and 2008, and the college has invited cast and crew members from all three to return for a reunion.
“We have tracked down 133 of them over those previous three casts, and we’ve invited them all back,” said Dennis Dutton, the college’s director of arts. He said Larry Gant, who played Tevye in the first production, plans to attend.
For Dutton, the reunion carries a personal connection. Gordon and Diane Kling, who directed the earlier productions, were his theater professors at Sterling College. Dutton said he became involved in all aspects of theater while he was a student there. He has now spent about 44 years working at the college, including the past four as arts director.
The musical’s story of family and tradition continues to reach audiences well beyond its original setting, Dutton said.
“It appeals to everyone because we’re all family — fathers, daughters, mothers, sons,” he said. “It’s all about family and tradition.”
Philip Starnes, a senior from Wellington, plays Tevye in the new production. Kassia Lopez, a junior from Lyons, plays Golde. The cast also includes Casey Dykstra of Wichita as Hodel, Chandler Reiman of Kinsley as Lazar Wolf and Gavin Frazier of the McPherson area as Perchik.
Lisa Brown is directing. Stephen English is designing the set and lighting, while students are helping with costumes, beards, sound and other production work. Dutton said the set will feature a raked stage and rays of sunlight.
After the public performances Sterling College will host their 42nd annual High School Theatre Workshop Day including a morning of workshops and a special matinee performance of “Fiddler.”
“Fiddler on the Roof” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 2 and 3, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, in Culbertson Auditorium on the Sterling College campus. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students at sterling.edu/arts.