‘Fiddler on the Roof’ Theater a ‘family matter’ for Dreuccis
SCOTTDALE – For Bill Dreucci of Uniontown, theater is a family matter. Dreucci, who retired from Bethlehem-Center School District in Fredericktown after 36 years in both elementary and secondary education, takes on dual roles at the Geyer Performing Arts Center in Scottdale. He will be handling directing duties while also playing the lead, Tevye, in the current production of “Fiddler on the Roof.”
This is not his first time in either role.
“I first directed ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ at Bethlehem-Center High School in the early 1970s,” said Dreucci, who last directed the play in 1979. “It was the first musical we did at the school.” For the Dreucci family, theater is a “strong hobby,” with an emphasis on “strong.”
He met his wife, Karen Moore Dreucci, at the theater.
“We enjoy doing theater together, and usually my wife is at my side, helping me. But she is a school teacher, and this production came just a little too early in the year,” Dreucci said.
As the children were growing up, Dreucci recalls vividly playing the role of Fagan opposite his son, Martin, as Oliver in a production of “Oliver” based on the Charles Dickens novel “Oliver Twist.”
Even his daughter got into the act.
“Kari usually liked to choose chorus parts, but she did play one of Tevye’s younger daughters, and I was able to direct her,” said Dreucci of another of his ventures with the Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick musical.
This time, Dreucci’s seventh with “Fiddler,” he is working with “a good, strong cast” – Actors and Artists of Fayette County.
Joan McCann of Scottdale will play the female lead, Golde.
“There are a lot of first timers in this cast,” he said. “There are a number of veteran cast members, as well – 40 characters in all.
“For me, the best part of directing is watching people grow … to see them develop a character and evolve, to develop their own talent, as well, has been the most fun,” he said.
Brad Henry is the music director.
“We will have a pit orchestra with both violins and woodwinds,” Dreucci said. “Some of the musicians are performers from the Westmoreland Symphony. Others are from Scottdale and still others are area artists.”
The musical, which premiered on Broadway on Sept. 22, 1964, is based on a short story, “Tevye and his Daughters” by Sheldon Aleichom.
“It is more popular today than it was in the 1960s,” said Dreucci of the musical that has been in revival at the Minskoff Theatre in New York City since 2004.
“It deals with all kinds of social issues,” he said.
“It takes place in 1905 in Russia on the eve of the Russian revolution. Tevye is trying to cope with an oppressive government and with the traditions of the Jewish faith. He is trying to get his daughters married in those traditions. They are involved with others who aren’t Jewish and aren’t interested.
“‘Fiddler’ deals with many difficult issues – poverty, persecution and Tevye’s attempt to teach and maintain tradition,” he said.
“Fiddler on the Roof” will be staged at the Geyer Performing Arts Center today and Saturday and June 17-18 at 8:15 p.m. each evening. On Sunday and June 19, there will be a 3:15 p.m. matinee.
For more information, tickets, directions or a listing of upcoming events, contact the Geyer Performing Arts Center at 724-887-0887 Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. or during any performance or visit the Web site at www.geyerpac.com.
There is a cost for tickets. Special rates are available for groups of 20 or more by contacting the box office.
Featured in the cast are: Dreucci, Joan McCann, Mark Fox, Martha Oliver, Conrad Mast, Richard A. Means, Emily Kring, Mark Kiefer, Tessa Markle, Douglas A. Cook, Debbie Brehun, Katie Aiello, Tracy Kelley, Ian Legeion, Adam D. Kostik, Josh Underwood, Scotty Boshinsky and Jesse Kring.