For immediate release:
Contact: Saul Markowitz, Markowitz Communications
412-977-8517 / Saul@MarkowitzCommunications.com
Cally Vennare, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
412-600-5055 / cvennare@pittsburghsymphony.org
PITTSBURGH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PRESENTS “FIDDLER ON THE ROOF” IN CONCERT IN COLLABORATION WITH PITTSBURGH CLO
PITTSBURGH, PA • February 8, 2024: Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO), in collaboration with Pittsburgh CLO, will present “FIDDLER ON THE ROOF” in Concert – Friday, February 23 at 8:00PM, Saturday, February 24 at 7:30PM, and Sunday, February 25 at 2:30PM — at Heinz Hall for the Performing Arts. Andy Einhorn will conduct the PSO in a special concert featuring John Williams’ adapted, Oscar Award-winning score to the 1971 film (which starred Chaim Topol and Norma Crane). Directed and choreographed by Gustavo Zajac, “FIDDLER ON THE ROOF” will also feature Broadway and local Pittsburgh talent. Tickets are available at the Heinz Hall Box Office at 600 Penn Ave. in Downtown Pittsburgh, online at pittsburghsymphony.org, or by phone at 412.492.4900.
This adaptation of Jerry Bock’s immortal Broadway musical, presented as a concert with light staging and choreography, will feature stars of Broadway, off-Broadway, movies, and television including Shuler Hensley in the role of Tevye and Anne L. Nathan as Tevye’s wife, Golde. The supporting cast will be comprised of local Pittsburgh talent including The Tamburitzans and students from the Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama, as well as the Hamlisch-Page Student Chorus under the direction of Christine Hestwood.
“With our long 78-year history of producing Broadway musicals in Pittsburgh and the PSO’s history as a world-class orchestra, this collaboration to present a concert version of ‘FIDDLER ON THE ROOF’ makes perfect sense,” says CLO Executive Producer Mark Fleischer. “Having our audiences sitting together in Heinz Hall will build an even closer connection among Pittsburgh arts patrons.”
“I am thrilled to witness artists from each of our companies coming together to create a special performance that focuses equally on the music of this incredible show and the story it tells,” added PSO Vice President of Popular Programming Shelly Fuerte, who is also the executive producer for this concert.
Meet the Cast & Creatives
SHULER HENSLEY (Teyve) Shuler Hensley is an award-winning actor and director. He has been director/artistic director of City Springs Theatre Company since its inception and last directed The Sound of Music in 2021. Shuler recently starred as Hades in Paper Mill Playhouse’s production of Hercules and in Broadway’s The Music Man, playing the role of Marcellus Washburn with Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster. He also has recently been seen as Tom Kettle in Broadway’s The Ferryman and was seen in the New Group’s production of Sweet Charity opposite Sutton Foster. He previously appeared on Broadway in No Man’s Land (also Berkeley Repertory Theatre); Waiting For Godot in repertory, opposite Patrick Stewart, lan McKellen, and Billy Crudup; as The Monster in Young Frankenstein (also the National Tour and London’s West End); Kerchak in Tarzan; Jud Fry in Oklahoma! (also at The National Theatre and London’s West End - Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Olivier Awards); and Javert in Les Misérables. Opera appearances include Wozzeck (Curtis Institute of Music) and Regina opposite Patti LuPone (Kennedy Center). Shuler has also performed with the New York Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, and the New World Symphony Orchestra. TV credits include “Murder of a President,” “Shades of Blue,” “Banshee,” “The Americans,” “Ed,” “Deadline,” “Gary Powers,” “Law & Order: SVU,” “Criminal Intent,” and “The Jury.” Film includes The Greatest Showman, After. Life, The Legend of Zorro, Van Helsing, Monday Night Mayhem, Someone Like You, The Bread, My Sweet, and Opa! Proud Equity member. Shuler was awarded the “Stage Performance of the Year” by New York Magazine in recognition for his work in The Whale. He is also the namesake of the Georgia High School Musical Theatre Awards at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.
ANNE L. NATHAN (Golde) recently played the roles of Aunt Sheila and Mimsy in the Broadway musical “It Shoulda Been You.” Other Broadway productions include “Funny Girl,” “Once,” “Sunday In The Park with George,” “Chicago,” “Assassins,” and the original companies of Thoroughly Modern Millie (Miss Flannery) and Ragtime. She has toured with the national companies of “Chicago” (Carbonell Award), “Les Miserables” and “Aspects of Love.” She has appeared on cast recordings for “Once,” “Ragtime,” “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” “Assassins,” Road Show, and Michael Patrick Walker’s “Out of Context.” Her film and television credits include “Baby Mama,” “King of California,” “The Good Wife,” “Dirt,” “Law & Order” (Trial by Jury, Special Victims Unit, and Criminal Intent), “Veronica Mars,” “What I Like About You”, and “Bull.” She can currently be seen on the web series “Submissions Only.”
GUSTAVO ZAJAC (Director and Choreographer) is an Argentinian/American director and choreographer whose work has been seen worldwide. On Broadway, he worked as Associate Choreographer for "Fiddler on the Roof" starring Alfred Molina, and in the same capacity on the Tony Award-winning revival of Maury Yeston’s "Nine" starring Antonio Banderas and Chita Rivera. He was also an Assistant Choreographer on the original workshop of "Wise Guys" starring Nathan Lane. In New York, he choreographed a concert version of the opera "Carmen" at the Lincoln Center, "The Pirates of Penzance" at the City Center, and the annual "24 Hour Musicals" starring Bebe Neuwirth. In his hometown of Buenos Aires, Argentina, he has directed and choreographed "Fiddler on the Roof," "Victor Victoria" (Critics Award Best Director in a Musical), "Man of La Mancha,” and directed a hugely successful production of "An Act of God.” In Japan, Gustavo was a guest choreographer for the 100th anniversary of the Takarazuka Revue Company. He conceived, directed, and choreographed the musical “Argentango,” teaching tango to Japanese performers. Gustavo was the Artistic Director and Choreographer of the Argentinian version of the internationally known TV show "Your Face Sounds Familiar," the Argentine version of the US hit “So You Think You Can Dance.” He received a Fulbright Scholarship in Musical Theater and Dance in New York City and was granted the Honorary Recognition Award in Dance and Choreography by the Argentinian Dance Council. Zajac directed “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Barnum” “Cyrano de Bergerac” and “Bernarda Alba” in Seoul, Korea and “The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk” with Quantum Theatre in Pittsburgh.
ANDY EINHORN (Conductor) most recently served as the music supervisor and musical director for the Broadway productions “Hello, Dolly!” starring Bette Midler and “Carousel” starring Renée Fleming, both of which received Grammy nominations. Einhorn’s previous Broadway music directing and conducting credits include “Holiday Inn, Woody Allen’s “Bullets Over Broadway,” Rodgers + Hammerstein’s “Cinderella,” “Brief Encounter,” and “Sondheim on Sondheim.” Other Broadway works include “Evita” and “The Light in the Piazza.” Since 2011, Einhorn has served as music director and pianist for six-time Tony Award-winner Audra McDonald, performing with her at the New York Philharmonic, Boston Pops at Tanglewood, Philadelphia Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, National Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony at Ravinia, Los Angeles Opera, Carnegie Hall, a recorded concert series at the Sydney Opera House, and others. They have recorded two albums: “Sing Happy: Live with the New York Philharmonic” and “Go Back Home.” He served as the music director for HBO’s Peabody Award-winning documentary “Six by Sondheim” and music supervisor for Great Performances Peabody Award-winning special “Broadway Musicals: A Jewish Legacy” on PBS. In 2019, Einhorn conducted Bette Midler and Marc Shaiman at the 2019 Academy Awards. He also music supervised and appeared on camera for the Emmy award-winning performance of “Eat Sh*t Bob” for HBO’s “Last Week Tonight” starring John Oliver.
“FIDDLER ON THE ROOF” IN CONCERT CAST
Tevye: Shuler Hensley
Golde: Anne L. Nathan
Yente: Stephanie Maloney
Fruma-Sarah: Kristiann Menotiades
Tzeitel: Alex Sheffield
Hodel: Kyra Klonoski
Chava: Kiara Lee
Motel Kamzoil: Travis Roy Rogers
Shandel: Betsy Lawrence
Perchik: Christian Engelhardt
Lazar Wolf: Justin Fortunato
Mordcha: Brady Patsy
Rabbi: Allan Snyder
Mendel (Rabbi’s Son): Anthony Marino
Avram: Graham Fandrei
Nahum: Benjamin Kent Pimental
Grandma Tzeitel: Susana Cordón
Daughter of Esther: Savannah Lee Birdsong
Yussel: Antoine Gray Jr.
Constable: Rob Jessup
Fyedka: Daniel Lawrence
Sasha: Ashton Guthrie
Russian Soldier: Carmen LoPresti
Dancers: The Tamburitzans
Violin Soloist: Jeremy Black
CREATIVE TEAM
Music Director: Andy Einhorn
Director and Choreographer: Gustavo Zajac
Associate Music Director: Rick Edinger
Assistant Director: Jeramie Walsh
Stage Manager: Catherine Kolos
Sound Designer: David Gotwald
Costumer Designer: Damien Dominguez
Scenic & Properties Designer: Marty Savolskis
PRODUCING TEAM
Shelly Fuerte, Mark Fleischer, Christian Kriegeskotte, Billy Mason
ABOUT THE PITTSBURGH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Now in its 128th season, the internationally acclaimed Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO) engages audiences of all ages through unparalleled live musical experiences, community collaborations, and educational programming that enrich every life with great music.
The GRAMMY® Award-winning symphony has been led by worldwide acclaimed Music Director Manfred Honeck since 2008. Past music directors have included many of the greats, including Fritz Reiner, William Steinberg, André Previn, Lorin Maazel and Mariss Jansons. The Pittsburgh Symphony has a long and illustrious history in the areas of recordings and live radio broadcasts dating back to the 1930s. Lauded as the Pittsburgh region’s international cultural ambassador, the orchestra began touring in 1896 and has embarked on scores of domestic and international tours. Heinz Hall, PSO’s home located at 600 Penn Avenue in downtown Pittsburgh, is also owned and operated by the Pittsburgh Symphony. Follow the Pittsburgh Symphony online at pittsburghsymphony.org, on Facebook, on Instagram, and on YouTube.
PITTSBURGH AND POPS
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra history with popular programming goes back to its early days with Victor Herbert who often programmed lighter music, including his own compositions. In the following decades, conductors brought inventive programming to Pittsburgh audiences, including introducing Pops concerts at unexpected venues like the first outdoor performance in the symphony’s history at the Sky Club in West Mifflin in 1935. Pops performances were often billed as “light programs and popular soloists,” with guest conductors and stars of the era such as Benny Goodman, Henry Mancini, Ethel Merman, Phyllis Diller and Doc Severinsen. With the advent of the Marvin Hamlisch era, the venerable Pops series was infused with a new injection of excitement and “razzle-dazzle” as he welcomed memorable programs like “Love Nights” and “Prom Nights,” and stars like Bernadette Peters. With the unexpected passing of Hamlisch in 2012, the symphony’s Pops programming continued under the baton of leading guest conductors, welcoming star guest artists like Chris Botti. In 2020, Pittsburgh Symphony appointed Byron Stripling as Principal Conductor for PNC Pops.
WITH GRATITUDE
- The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra is grateful for overall support provided by local and state government entities: the Allegheny Regional Asset District, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Community and Economic Development, and the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
- Diehl Automotive Group is the official auto dealer of the Pittsburgh Symphony.
- Fairmont Pittsburgh is the official hotel of the Pittsburgh Symphony.
- Delta Air Lines is the official airline of the Pittsburgh Symphony.
ABOUT PITTSBURGH CLO
Pittsburgh CLO (PCLO) has been the driving force behind the preservation, creation and promotion of live musical theatre since 1946. PCLO produces fresh new productions of Broadway classics, as well as its ongoing commitment to develop new musicals of all sizes. Every ticket purchased impacts our own hometown, Pittsburgh, in a variety of ways beyond the stage performance.
As one of the largest regional musical theater organizations in the country, it is fortunate for the yearly support of nearly 200,000 audience members. The not-for-profit’s mission is to develop new works and highlight emerging talent and has been credited with launching the careers of numerous artists such as Billy Porter, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Rob Marshall, Kathleen Marshall, Rob Ashford, Bernadette Peters, and Shirley Jones. The organization’s dedication to musical theater extends beyond its six-show Summer Season to year-round programming at the 250-seat Cabaret Theater, which saw the world premieres of Up and Away and Game On in 2018 and The Double-Threat Trio in 2019, and The Perfect Mate in 2024. Its extensive education efforts include the Pittsburgh CLO Academy of Musical Theater; a university internship program; New Horizons, and in-school programs Gallery of Heroes and Creative Vision. Other ongoing initiatives include the Construction Center for the Arts, the Gene Kelly Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater and SPARK, a festival for new small-cast musicals launched in 2018. The organization also founded the National High School Musical Theatre Awards/ Jimmy Awards®. To further its mission to grow the art form, Pittsburgh CLO has been involved with 31 Broadway shows (32 Tony Awards®), and in 2014 produced the world premiere of An American in Paris in Paris, then on Broadway, where it won 4 Tony Awards®, and in London, Tokyo, Pittsburgh and throughout the U.S. and Europe. Pittsburgh CLO is the subject of a film starring Jeff Goldblum titled "Pittsburgh."
For more information: pittsburghclo.org