Defiance College’s Defiance Players present
“Fiddler on the Roof”

Defiance College’s Defiance Players will present one of the most beloved and successful musicals of the Broadway stage, “Fiddler on the Roof,” on November 13 – 16 in the College’s Schomburg Auditorium. This well-known story centers on Tevye, the father of five daughters, and his attempts to maintain his family and religious traditions while coping with outside influences that encroach on their lives. A large cast has been chosen, including DC students, Northwest Community College students, and area adults and youths, and are in rehearsal under the direction of Ken Neuenschwander.

Tevye, the leading role and narrator of the story, will be played by Nick Rausch. His long-suffering wife, Golde, will be performed by Kristin Sorensen. His five daughters include: Karen Bergman, Ney, as the oldest, Anna Yoder as Hodel, Kaitlin Switzer, Defiance, as Chava, Ruth Schultz as Shpritze, and Hazel Lydum as Bielke, the youngest of the five. 

Motel, the first young man to challenge Tevye for the hand of one of his daughters, will be played by Mark Vandevender, Westlake. Perchik, the radical student who favors Hodel, will be acted by Brian Schwieterman, Versailles. Yente, the matchmaker, will be played by Katy Adams, Napoleon. Lazar Wolf, a rich butcher who is matched with Tzeitel against her wishes, will be portrayed by David Zwiebel. Mordcha the innkeeper is played by Matt Mt. Castle. The Rabbi, who struggles to find prayers suitable for the Czar, will be played by Shorty Williamson. Mendel, the Rabbi’s son, is played by Tony Tijerino.

Avarum the bookseller is played by Seth Nofziger, Archbold. Nachum the beggar is portrayed by Adam Schlett, Sandusky. Grandma Tzeitel, Golde’s late grandmother, is played by Andrea Galbraith, Medina. Fruma Sarah, Lazar Wolf’s late wife, is played by Mandie Spangler. The Constable is played by Tuffy Rausch. Fyedka, a Russian villager who becomes Chava’s husband, will be played by Jared James, North Baltimore. Shandel, Motel’s mother, is played by Maureen Barber, Defiance. The Fiddler of the show’s title is Andrea Galbraith, Medina.

Villages include: Jerika Hennes, Washinton Court House, Ashley Lawson, Napoleon, Max Lydum, Defiance, Ashley Brown, Leipsic, Susie Walder, Samantha Leach, Archbold, Nate Mueller, Katy Doak, Piqua, Clairice Shook, Smithville, Emlyn Bowles, Urbana, Lindsay Zwiebel, Napoleon, Alysia Schuette, Napoleon, Becca Zebrowski, Cleveland, Jayci Steingass, Holly Naveau, Napoleon, Elizabeth Sloan, Castalia, Marcus Mt Castle, Crystal Spurgeon, Deshler, Jose Vasquez, Defiance, Riley Dunbar, Ryan Clark, Makensie Dietrich, Jenni Schink and Kelsey Dietrich.

Russians include: Bruce Miller, Bloomfield Hills, MI, Joemese Scott, Oviedo, FL, Tim Kurtz, Maumee, Don Hasselswerth, Defiance, Steve Dietrich, Eric Yoder, Archbold, and Jeff Bischoff.

November 13, 14, and 15 performances are at 8 p.m. The November 16 matinee is at 2 p.m. All seats are reserved, $10 for adults and $8 for students. Reservations may be made by calling Carolyn Gilgenbach at 419 783-2462, or by E-mail, cgilgenbach@defiance.edu.

Defiance College is an independent, liberal arts institution in Northwest Ohio offering more than 40 undergraduate majors as well as graduate programs in education and business. Defiance College has received national recognition for its educational experience of engagement. U. S. News & World Report ranks Defiance in the top tier of comprehensive colleges in the Midwest. The college website is www.defiance.edu.

October 31, 2008