By Karen Jamal
One of Noosa’s most talented musical families is gearing up for a huge week as Fiddler on the Roof comes to town.
The Little Seed Theatre Company will present the much-loved musical on 13 and 14 October at The J.
The production is a family affair, with music directed by Connie Groves, daughter Heather is assisting director David Williams and son Clark taking centre stage in the principal role.
Set in Imperial Russia in 1905, Fiddler on the Roof tells the story of milkman Tevye, as he strives to maintain his Jewish traditions in a time of extraordinary change.
Connie, an acclaimed chorale director originally from the United States, spent 12 years as a high school music teacher in Orlando, Florida, before a stint backpacking around the world took her to outback Australia.
“I saw a wanted ad for a cook on a sheep station, and thought to myself: ‘I can make cheese on toast’.” She met her now husband, and has spent the last two decades teaching musical theatre and chorale music to children around Queensland.
“Last year, our production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat was light-hearted. But Fiddler is full of complex themes, challenging music and incredibly moving scenes. It’s a step up,” she says.
The performers will be accompanied by an orchestra, made up of professional adults and talented young musicians, some of whom are in the Sunshine Coast Youth Orchestra. Connie says audiences can expect “the full orchestral experience”.
While Clark has performed in a host of productions before, including Guys and Dolls and Bye Bye Birdie, this is his first time taking centre stage.
At just 22, Clark is juggling a hectic rehearsal schedule and memorising a long script with the demands of running his own cafe, Paperboy Cafe, in Tewantin. Customers have been regaled with strains of “If I Were a Rich Man” as they order their daily coffee, he said.
Preparing to play Tevye has been gruelling, but “working with a large cast of young actors is both a challenge and a joy,” he said.
“I think the hardest thing has been growing a beard so that I look the part.“
Production manager Heather cut her musical teeth on chorale performances, culminating in a stint in the Australian Youth Choir Birralee Voices. She’s now moved behind the scenes, and is completing a Masters of Teaching and training young voices.
“My experience with music has taught me that the performance is an important part, but not everything. It’s also about helping these young performers to learn and grow, and about building friendships that will last a lifetime,” Heather said.
“The ethos of Little Seed is all about the students discovering and nurturing their best selves.”
Fiddler on the Roof is showing at The J on Friday 13 October at 6.30pm and Saturday 14 October at 1.30pm and 6.30pm.
Tickets are $30 for adults and $20 for concession, and are available from www.thej.com.au
