Photos

The Cast

ABOUT THE CAST AND CREW

Frank Mathews (Music Director) - attended the Crane School of Music in Potsdam, NY, is a 4 year resident of Celebration and has been involved with the Celebration Players for over 2 years. Credits with the Players include Jacey Squires in Music Man, orchestra for 1776 and Chorus Line, and Music Director for Man of La Mancha, 1776 and Dear Edwina, Jr. Thank you to EVERYONE involved with Fiddler. It is truly and honor to work with such a talented cast, crew and orchestra!

Chris Camp (Technical Director)

 Kim Keller (Choreographer) - Kim studied at Frank Rey Dance Studio in Tampa and Florida State University in Tallahassee.  She was a member of the Florida Ballet Theatre, Encore Tumbling Team, and other dance groups, where she was a featured soloist. She has won numerous state and national competitions in jazz, tap, and acrobatics as a soloist, duet, and group.  Kim was also a dancer for Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney World, and a member of the faculty and staff at Frank Rey Dance Studio and the Orlando Ballet School.  She has choreographed for many dance schools, college teams, high/prep schools, cheer squads and national dance competition teams, and has also taught masters classes to students in the Baltimore/Washington DC area. Kim was assistant choreographer for the Players production of A Chorus Line, and choreographer for Man of La Mancha and 1776.

 James Songster (Tevye) – In his debut with Celebration Players, James has been a professional performer in Central Florida since locating here in October of 1991. His credits include performing at Walt Disney World, Universal Studios Florida and events too numerous to mention through out the southeast. This is his second time appearing in Fiddler On the Roof having been in a high school production of it many years ago. He would like to thank his family for their understanding and support and would like to dedicate his performance to his Grandmother Rose, may she rest in piece. "Thank-you for my history and for my family. I have felt and have been guided by your spirit during this journey."

Linda Shepherd (Golde) - Linda is a familiar face on Celebration Players stage, most recently appearing in Our Town. Linda has been involved in theater, both onstage and off, for 33 years and hasn’t slowed down yet! Her appearance tonight as Golde is 27 years in the making…an auto accident prevented her from auditioning for Fiddler that many years ago, and now she is thrilled to be finally fulfilling her wish!  Thank you, Jonathan!  Linda also thanks her entire family for their support and sends hugs and butterfly kisses to her first grandchild, Reed Gavin, born March 9, 2006!

 Lisa Hanna (Tzeitel) - This is Lisa's third production with the Players. She was Ethel Toffelmeyer in The Music Man and the Music Director for A Chorus Line. Lisa has been a vocal coach for 10 years and has recently joined the staff of Celebration Players in that role. She would like to thank Felicia for that opportunity and her support. Thanks to the cast and crew for their hard-work and a big thanks to her friends and family and the Virge for their love and support. 

Andrea Bowles (Hodel) – Andrea is happy to be on stage in Florida, where she relocated from Massachusetts. When she isn't teaching Kindergarten, Andrea is busy planning her Disney Fairytale Wedding to Perchik!  Favorite roles include Sandy in Grease, the title role in Cinderella, Andrea/Storyteller in Once On This Island, the Maid in Dracula, and Martha in The Secret Garden. Andrea would like to thank her beautiful little sister and Mr. Lance Rocket for their support and inspiration. 

Diana Jacobacci (Chava) - Originally from New York, Diana is absolutely thrilled to be back on stage in a musical after a hiatus of over ten years. Favorite performances include Maria, The Sound of Music, Vibrata in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Godspell, Annie, Me and My Girl, and Once Upon a Mattress. Diana has performed as a soloist on Spirit Cruise Lines in NYC and spent a summer singing 50s hits at Six Flags Great Adventure. Daily she gets to "perform" for one of the most enthusiastic audiences of all--her kindergarten class at Southwood Elementary School! Love, thanks, and pixie dust to family and friends for your support and encouragement. Many thanks to Jonathan and a great cast and crew for a fabulous experience--I'm looking forward to many more!

Gwen Boniface (Shprintze) - An 11-year-old home schooler who loves all kinds of theater, she attended her first Shakespearean production sitting in a stroller, and she’s been hooked ever since. This is Gwen’s third production with Celebration Players, having appeared as Susie in Dear Edwina, Junior, and in School House Rock Live, Junior. When she is not at rehearsal or doing schoolwork, Gwen can be found singing with the Orlando Deanery Girls Choir, reading, listening to Indian sitar music or making her guinea pigs watch music videos on the computer. 

Tiara Bergy (Bielke) – Tiara will be 11 by the time you read this, and she is appearing in her 4^th Celebration Players production. She is thrilled about being in Fiddler, and loves working with the cast. She would like to thank Jonathan, Lindsay, Bobby, and of course Chris Camp, and a big thanks to my mommy! “I love God”. 

Christine Keppler (Yente) - This is Christine's third show with Celebration
Players, previously seen as Mrs. Gibbs in Our Town, and as the Stage Manager for 1776. Christine is originally from Pennsylvania and moved to Florida in the fall of 2004. Her favorite roles include Judith Bliss in Noel Cowards' Hayfever,  Katherina in The Taming of the Shrew, Lady Macbeth in Macbeth, and Little Red in Into the Woods.  Christine
would like to thank her family and friends who have shown her their unwavering support and encouragement through this show. I really couldn't have done it without you guys! Thank you!...."You know what's gross?...."

 Tom Malonson (Motel) – This is Tom’s 4th appearance with the Players, having appeared in Man of La Mancha as the Duke/Barber, 1776 as Rodger Sherman, and Our Town as Simon Stimpson.Thirty years ago Tom appeared on stage for the first time in Fiddler on the Roof as the Fiddler. “WOW HOW TIME FLYS"....He also played the part of Mordred in Camelot,  for which he won a Best Character Actor award in 1979, also as Bellomy in the Fantasticks, Moonface Martin in Anything Goes, Finians Rainbow,  Irene, Everybody Loves Opal, Music Man...AND as a gun fighter at Six Gun  Territory in Ocala. A special Thanks to Jonathan for giving me this opportunity,  and Frank for all your help and friendship for the past twenty  years..THANKS! I would not be here with out your  help...

 Chris Barletta (Perchik) - Chris is excited to be doing Fiddler again after playing Motel the first time opposite Eddie Mekka. Chris has a BM from The Boston Conservatory and has been performing for most of his life.  Some of his favorite roles include Matt in The Fantasticks, Sparky in Forever Plaid, Neville Craven in The Secret Garden, Bernardo in West Side Story, Agwe in Once on This Island, Johnathan Harker in Dracula, Kenickie in Grease, and Benny in Guys and Dolls. Chris also sings with the Voices of Liberty at Epcot and can be heard singing baritone. An avid barbershopper, Chris is willing to sing a tag with just about anyone so ask him! He would like to dedicate this and all future performances to his lovely fiancé Andrea and to a true inspiration, Detroit John.

 Jason Zucker ( Lazar Wolf ) - Jason is delighted to be acting with the Celebration Players for the first time. He has performed with  S.T.A.G.E at Disney in productions of Guys and Dolls and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. He would like to thank a truly talented cast, Jonathan for believing Big Jule would make a good butcher and to my Mama and Papa. Mazal Tov! 

Paul Hassett (Mordcha - Innkeeper) - Paul has appeared as John Hancock in the Players production 1776 in the Footlight Club's performance of Ragtime in Jamaica
Plain, and Pentucket Players' performances of Scrooge and Music Man in
Haverhill, MA. Paul is a 37 year old Massachusetts native and returning
Celebration Player who is very excited to be keeping the Inn as Reb Mordcha
in Fiddler on the Roof. 

Scotty Schultz (The Rabbi) - Once again Scotty returns to the Celebration
Players having previously been seen in the last production of 1776,  as Stephan Hopkins. Scotty has appeared in many productions at the Moonlight Players Theater in Clermont, where he is a regular performer. He would once again like to thank everyone at the Celebration players for giving him the opportunity to perform. 

John P. Cortes Jr. (Mendel) – JP is no stranger to the Celebration Players stage, having appeared in Man of La Mancha, and 1776. He is thrilled to be a part of such a talented cast. 

Joe Iriarte (Avram) -  Celebration resident, father of two, and math teacher at Celebration High School, Joe takes the stage for the attention. Joe's Celebration Players debut was as Lewis Morris in 1776, and has appeared in Man of La Mancha, Barefoot in the Park. Harvey,The Mouse That Roared, A Man for all Seasons, and A Christmas Carol. 

Kevin Syracuse (Nachum) - Very excited to be in the cast of  Fiddler On The Roof, this is Kevin’s second appearance with the Celebration Players. Previously he was seen as Wally Webb in Our Town. Kevin is glad he has the opportunity to perform this show, and hopes to continue acting with the Celebration Players

 Lisa Iriarte (Grandma Tzeitel) -  Performing since she was Dippy the Dolphin in 
kindergarten, This is Lisa's fourth appearance with the Players. Prior credits include Lady Thiang in The King and I and Abigail Adams in 1776, and she looks forward to performing with them again. Lisa’s other credits include Queen of the Night and Papagena in The Magic Flute, Adele in The Bat, the maid in The Maid as Mistress, Rizzo in Grease, Aunt Eller in Oklahoma. An aspiring novelist, Lisa teaches Language Arts at Celebration School. A mother of identical twin eight year-old girls, Lisa would like to thank her husband and her parents for their support.

Kate Norton (Fruma-Sarah) - Originally from The UK Kate is happy to be appearing again with the Celebration Players. She has a varied theatrical background, starting her career touring Europe with Spirit Of The Dance, an Irish Dance show, after which she moved on to Cruise ships as Dance Captain and Company Manager for five years until she met her husband and moved to Florida. Kate is currently happy teaching dance and passing on some of her hard earned knowledge! Kate has been in two previous productions with the players and is very happy to be appearing with them again, for what she considers to be her most exciting role to date! 

Greg Posso (Constable) – This is Greg’s third appearance with the Players (twice in 1776 as the Honorable Judge James Wilson). He also appeared in the S.T.A.G.E. production of 1776 as George Read.  A Disney Castmember he has worked for Disney for 13+ years. HAPPILY married with 3 beautiful daughters Greg always misses his family during performances, so this year his oldest daughter Brittany joined him on stage. 

Kirby Ryan (Fyedka) - Kirby is thrilled to once again share the stage with such a talented cast. His previous credits includes Gad in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Doody in Grease, Frederick in The Sound of Music, Daddy Warbucks in Annie, The Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz, Snoopy in You're A Good Man Charlie Brown, Skip Snip in Little Shop of Horrors, and Joseph Hewes and Edward Rutledge in Celebration Players 1776.  Best of luck to all! 

Daniel Colon (The Fiddler) – Born in Perth Amboy N.J., Daniel became interested in Theatre at age 7. After just 7 months in Florida he has been seen as Oberon in A Midsummer Nights Dream and as Jeter in Footloose. Daniel sends thanks to his family and his director for this great experience. 

Leanne Klausegger (Villager) – Leanne is an English Major at Southern University, and has an avid passion for literature and of course theatre. Credits include The Music Man, Camelot, Annie Get Your Gun, 1776, The Tender Land, and You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown.  

Jennifer Sabbert (Villager) - This is Jennifer’s first production with Celebration Players. She has been performing on stage since she was six years old.  Currently she works as an atmosphere performer and puppeteer at Walt Disney World. 

James Hastings (Villager) - James loves to act. This is his first appearance with the Celebration Players and he already loves the cast. James was chosen for a special after school Headliners class out of the whole middle school, and cannot wait until his next show!

Corie Crawford (Villager) - Corie is thrilled to be involved in her third Celebration Player's production. She has previously been seen in The Music Man , Edwina in Dear Edwina, jr. and Cowboy Kicker/Dancer in Footloose. She is currently a freshman at Celebration High School and would like to thank her parents for their constant support.  

Brittany Posso (Villager) - At 8 years old, Brittany the daughter of Gregory Posso and the oldest of 3 sisters. She loves to sing, enjoys soccer and is currently playing Division A Little League baseball.  She made her stage debut at the age of 6 in Are You My Mother? A Dinosaur Story and recently landed the starring role of TOUCAN in Windermere Elementary's Rumpus in the Rainforest.  This is her first performance with Celebration Players, and mom is very proud of her!

Alex Schwartz (Villager) - Alex is a great fan of theater and movies, and this will be his first performance in a show….. but not his last. 

Kelley Ryan (Villager) - An 8th grader at Celebration School, Kelley is very happy to be onstage in Fiddler. She is a musical theater buff and an accomplished musician who
loves to perform. Her past credits include Dear Edwina, Schoolhouse Rock
Live, Christmas Carol, Wizard of Oz, Annie, Joseph… and she is a founding
member of Headliners at Celebration School. Kelley recently donated 10 inches of her hair to Locks of Love, and would like to thank all those involved in Fiddler for giving so much of themselves to make this production possible.

Jean Ryan (Villager) - No stranger to the theater and performing, Jean has taken a small 23 year hiatus away from the stage.  After many years of watching Kirby and Kelley
onstage, she is happy to be in the cast of Fiddler along with them. Jonathan - you are an awesome director!!!  Thanks to all for a great run!! 

James Hastings (Villager) - James loves to act. This is his first appearance with the Celebration Players and he already loves the cast. James was chosen for a special after school Headliners class out of the whole middle school, and cannot wait until his next show!

Hilary Hastings (Villager) - Hilary has been singing and dancing for as long as she can remember. Her first real experience with musical theater came in 7th grade with Musical Theater class. While in this class she had many roles including, Tracy Turnblat, Hairspray, and Elphaba Wicked. She is currently in the drama program at Gateway High School where she appeared as Florinda, in Into the Woods.

Andrew Tripp (Villager/Dancer) -  A Celebration resident, Andrew is a junior at Celebration High School and actively involved in the theatre and choral departments. He has been in musicals such as Oliver, Music Man, and Footloose and plans to go to college and major in theatre, acting, stage management, and/or theatre education. He hopes someday to have many roles in movies and direct movies. During the summer and holidays, he works at Walt Disney World, and is excited to be part of Fiddler.

Tremayne Magnus (Russian) – This is Tremayne’s first appearance with the Celebration Players and is very excited to be in this great production of Fiddler. He was a character actor at Universal Orlando for two years and a freelance dancer and choreographer for Universal’s Entertainment department. He has performed with the Universal Orlando Players in Suessical the Musical, has danced for many local artists and was also a teacher of color guard at Poinciana High School for the 2003-2004 season. Tremayne is also moving to Los Angeles in the summer to pursue a career in film and modeling. He is very grateful for the opportunity to perform with such a talented and diverse cast. 

Roger Hot (Villager) – Roger is no stranger to  Celebration Players. His favorite role was Marcus Lycos in A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum. He has been seen in Barefoot in the Park, Music Man, Lend Me a Tenor, and Harvey just to name a few. Roger hopes to perform in more productions in the future.