Director's Notes (dissertation):
I don't usually do these... I don't like them. But in case you are sitting in the theatre and you are bored, and you wonder to yourself, "I wonder to myself, what was this Director thinking in producing such an old show?" I shall write a traditional director's note. Also, my Step Dad DAVE, told me to.
Firstly, I did choose to direct a very old show and I can tell you, patron sitting in the auditorium, that the kids were not at all excited about it at first. NO, they were not at all thrilled. I was suprised, but not really I guess. There are so many colorful, new, and exciting musicals out there to choose from! But you will have to look hard to find a musical with so much heart, spirit, deep meaning, and wonderful music. Each one of you have gotten one of these songs stuck in your head and you know it!
Secondly.... Once Upon an Time in a galaxy far, far away... I played Tzeitle in a tiny production of Fiddler. After that time, I avoided Fiddler like the plague because I was tired of it. BUT... This last year I realized that I could get the entire set from the Pioneer theatre production, and I decided, "why not?"
I wish I could say that there was a very deep meaning in my choice, but that's what it was. I didn't have to build a huge set. But.... after rereading the script, and reviewing this year's Broadway revival, I realized just how much we can relate to in this amazing and touching musical. Fiddler is about family, about traditions, about holding on to the things we believe in, it's about change, about people who aren't treated well by other people, it’s about refugees, and change, and stereotypes and acceptance.... wow. I then realized that this is a musical for these kids, today at Northridge High School in Layton, Utah. I also realized how bad an actress I must have been to lose so much of the meaning and sentimentality of this show! But also, my son Alex played my baby in that show, and now he is 22 years old. I think my life experience has changed since then. Also, having just sent a beloved daughter away on an LDS mission for 18 months, I can't watch the Chava sequence without a Kleenex. If you are in my same boat, and recently sent a child off to college, or mission, or military... please stop by the sound booth for a complimentary Kleenex. Be sure to come get it at intermission so you have it at the ready for that blasted touching and sad scene. If you haven't sent away a child and you still cry like a baby, I guess you can have a Kleenex too.
I would like to thank the people at Skyline High School for Passing along the Set from Pioneer Theatre Company, and of course the PTC itself for thinking of sharing their awesomeness with local high schools. I would also like to thank the wonderful theatre teachers all around me who keep me sane and realizing that I'm not alone. Thanks too to Layton High and Rachel Helwig for lending us prayer shawls. A blessing on your house! Thanks to our costumers, choreographers, food cookers, committee chairs, and all the people who make this show happen! It takes a village! (Like Anatevka, see what I did there?) Also, thanks to this director’s note for helping me realize that there are more descriptive words out there than “awesome” which, I apparently tend to overuse. A million thanks to Dustin Smith for making the show look and sound FABULOUS! Thank you for all you do for me, and for us at NHS! Thank you to Judi Amsel for coming and teaching us the ways of the Jewish Culture, it truly made a difference and deepened our understanding of the show. Thank you to Jemay Marden for being the best music director ever of all time in this Galaxy. Thank you to Jared Harding for waving your arms around for like three hours a night down in that hot and smelly pit! You all are awesome! I mean… tremendously talented and inspiring. Thanks to my crazy obnoxious Husband, Vince. You crack me up every day! And to my sons Jacob and Alex, and my missonary, Autumn- you three are life.
I would also like to thank my Mom, who you all will know because she is the lady in the audience claiming to be my Mom. (HAHA! Sorry, Mom. Love you.) Also, my Dad- he's the guy in the audience not claiming to be my Dad. :) And I must thank my amazing Grandma, Dauna Seager who died two weeks ago, she loved this show and all that it stands for. “This one’s for you, Gramma!”
Lastly, (See, I came back around to it!) I would like to thank the marvelously talented students who take a risk every year, and who aren’t afraid to “leap” into a show that they didn’t like at first. (I think they love it now.) Thank you for trusting me. They are wonderful, talented and worthy individuals who I hope will keep the lessons from this show in their hearts for the rest of their lives. Remember, when you’re with your love, you’re home. Home is wherever you make it, as long as your family is with you. Be happy and… MAZELTOV!
Now aren’t you grateful I don’t usually do these?
Jana Coates
Director
