The Central Baptist College Fine Arts Department is working hard this semester to prepare for their upcoming musical, Fiddler on the Roof. The performances are scheduled for March 14 and 15 at 6:30 p.m. We encourage all alumni, students, employees and friends of CBC to attend, support the department and enjoy a fantastic musical. Tickets will be available at the door — $10 for adults and $5 for children and CBC students. Please be prepared to pay with cash or a check.
This year’s cast will include the following students: Vanya Kanaykin (sophomore) from Tyler, Texas; Hannah Long (senior) from Higden; Kailey Sullivan (junior) from Conway; Masen Pinkerton (freshman) from Searcy; Mary Grace Hall (sophomore) from Damascus; Aubrey Rogan (sophomore) from Mena; Olivia Solano (sophomore) from Hensley; Nadiyah Bunton (sophomore) from Pine Bluff; Cora Tharnish (sophomore) from Anne, Ill.; Anna Battenfield (junior) from Gentry; Jayla Kramer (senior) from Conway; Jackson Tharnish (freshman) from Anne, Ill.; Dalton Leutwyler (junior) from Cushing, Texas; Ethan Smith (senior) from Greenbrier; Landon Risner (junior) from Damascus; Releigh Husted (freshman) from Mena; and Reagan Martinez (freshman) from Lewisville, Texas. In addition to these students, we are also thankful to have Daniel Carrera, Lila Weaver, Alice Weaver, Jakob Cox, Dominic Tharnish and Axel Tharnish joining the cast.
The director of the musical is Assistant Professor of Music Suzanne Banister, and the orchestra conductor is Fine Arts Department Chair and Director of Instrumental Music Donna Bradley. Anna Battenfield is the assistant director/stage manager, and Reagan Martinez is the student assistant costumer. We also appreciate the contributions of Liz Parker as acting coach, Ginger Cook as a pianist, Tim Morris as set designer, Larry Criswell and John Hutto as set builders and Esther Buchanan as costume designer.
“We are so excited to bring the timeless musical Fiddler on the Roof to Central Baptist College!” Banister said. “This musical is set in Anatevka, Ukraine, in Imperial Russia around 1905 when Russia encompassed parts of Ukraine. The story is about the life of a poor milkman, Tevye, who is determined to find good Jewish husbands for his five daughters. He and his wife, Golde, consult the town matchmaker for help! Tevye also has a running conversation with God! You will meet the beloved townspeople, experience the conflict with the Russians and learn about Jewish ‘Tradition!’ Our Tevye, Vanya Kanaykin, lived in Ukraine!”
We are very excited to see this show in March, and we encourage anyone interested to come enjoy the musical and support these students and their hard work. For more information, please contact Suzanne Banister at sbanister@cbc.edu. We look forward to seeing you there!
