metro >> around town

Tradition! Tradition!

Hillel Day School presented Fiddler on the Roof to sold-out crowds.

Sixth-grader

Jonathan Cher of

Huntington Woods

fiddles on the roof.

To

Ui

owar-440.-

'

0

L, -

T

he Music and Theatre Arts Department of Hillel Day School of Metropolitan
Detroit presented the classic musical Fiddler on the Roof to sold-out crowds on
March 31 and April 3.
More than 80 students in grades 5-8 worked together to bring the musical "to life."
Nearly 70 young actors and a 12-student production crew worked tirelessly for many
weeks under the direction of Robin Beth Lash, Hillel's music teacher.
Traditionally, graduating eighth-graders at the Farmington Hills school receive the
lead roles in Hillel's spring musicals. This year, Ben Canvasser of West Bloomfield
embodied the role of Tevye, together with Gabby Lowenthal, also of West Bloomfield,
portraying his wife Golde, and Madeline Jacobson of West Bloomfield, Shoshie Silow of
Huntington Woods and Samantha Sherman of Farmington Hills, all depicting the roles

Eighth-graders Gabby Lowenthal and Ben Canvasser, both

of West Bloomfield, as Golda and Tevye

28

April 14 e 2011

of their daughters.
Authenticating the show was Jonathan Cher, a sixth-grader from Huntington Woods,
who played the violin atop the "roof:"
Fiddler was produced and directed by Lash, together with student director Hannah
Bradley of West Bloomfield. Also providing invaluable assistance were Miriam Gould,
choreographer, Lezlie Mostyn, scenery director, and Butch Friedman, set director.
Audience members young and old were spotted humming, smiling, and singing
along with the performance. Perhaps most touching was after the Sunday performance
when each eighth-grader presented Lash with a rose and thanked her for helping them
to overcome their fears and anxiety and giving them an opportunity to shine. And, as
Lowenthal expressed, enabling the students to tell their "great-grandparents' story."

Canvasser struts his stuff as Tevye.

The cast takes a bow.

