My Art-tastic Journey: Fiddling on the Roof now

[Scott Semester]

Remember when I told you about the concert that I sang in a couple weeks ago? Well, I've been roped into another production, this time a pretty big deal (even though I play a very small part). On Mother's Day weekend (Saturday and Sunday, May 9 & 10), St. Luke's United Methodist Church and Congregation Beth-El Zedeck in Indianapolis are co-presenting a full-scale production of the classic musical "Fiddler on the Roof."

It will be my musical-theatre debut. Start praying now.

Those who follow me on Twitter have already gotten some insights into how things are going, and they know that I take my role as Unnamed Chorus Member #3 very seriously. I'm terrified of being the weak link in either the singing or the dancing or the (*gulp*) singing WHILE dancing or the (*double gulp*) acting. Even though I have no lines, I also am aware that I have exactly zero stage presence, at least from an acting standpoint. (Let me make a presentation, and I'll be onstage for hours, but make me a "character" and I'm all freezing up and stagefright.)

We've had two major rehearsals so far, and it's ramping up to about three times a week starting now. The performances are five weeks away, and I'm excited to see how it all comes together, even as I learn my "stage left" from my "grapevine" and my "hora" from my "tuchus"! The cool thing is that the cast is a great mix of people of all ages from the two congregations. We're sharing opportunities to learn about our own and each other's faith traditions, and the timing couldn't be better with Passover and Holy Week (Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday) all happening pretty much right now.

I'll try to add some pictures -- and maybe even some video -- to future blog posts on my own personal blog and here on my SI blog, too. And if you decide you'd like to purchase a ticket or become a sponsor, check out our "Fiddler" event page here on SI.