BELOIT-West Branch High School offers a class to those students interested in the art of theater. Entitled Theater Applications, the class is a semester long, and is offered to all high school students.

The class, taught by John Zamarelli, is what should be called, a hands-on theater experience. Unlike an ordinary class with textbooks, chapters, and tests, this class directly involves the students in all aspects of theater production. Within an 18-week period, the students will study, direct, produce and perform four plays and musicals.

Each student is then assigned to be a member of the following crews: The Directors Circle, Publicity, Costumes/Make-up, Stage Manager, Set/Scenery and Special Effects/Sound.

The current members of the theater class have chosen the musical, "Fiddler on the Roof Jr." as their class project.

As the musical begins, Tevye, a Jewish milkman, sings of the customs in the little Russian town of Anatevka. It is 1905, and life here is as precarious as a fiddler on the roof; yet, through their traditions, the villagers endure. At Tevye's house, his wife, Golde, and their five daughters prepare for Sabbath dinner when Yente, the town's matchmaker, arrives. She tells Golde she has a possible match for Tzeitel, their eldest daughter. However, Tzeitel has already secretly pledged her love to Motel Kamzoil, a tailor, who has yet to find the courage to ask Tevye for her hand. But, when Lazar Wolf, a wealthy butcher, later reveals he is the match, Tevye (even though he dislikes Lazar Wolf) agrees, knowing that his daughter will never starve.

The following day, Tzeitel and Motel plead with Tevye to rethink her marriage arrangement to Lazar Wolf, and to consider Motel instead. Tevye eventually agrees but must convince Golde. He creates a story where Golde's grandmother and Lazar Wolf's late wife appear to him in a dream and threaten to curse Tzeitel if she marries Lazar Wolf. Golde believes this is a sign and agrees to the new match. Tzeitel and Motel are married in a traditional Jewish wedding ceremony.

Meanwhile, Tevye's second daughter, Hodel, has fallen in love with Perchik, a student. They break tradition by telling Tevye they love each other and will be married, asking only for his blessing and not his permission. This causes Tevye and Golde to contemplate their own marriage and love for each other after 25 years.

Weeks pass, and Tevye's third daughter, Chava has fallen in love with a Russian villager, Fyedka. However, marrying outside the Jewish faith is unacceptable to Tevye, and he forbids her to see him again. The next day, Chava and Fyedka secretly elope, and Chava is disowned by her family.

The fear of the Russian revolution, which has been simmering throughout the play, finally boils over when the Russian constable tells all the Jewish villagers they must pack up and leave Anatevka. Everyone prepares to leave, and Chava and Fyedka come to say goodbye and make peace. Tevye refuses to look at her, but has Tzeitel wish her well before they all depart, the fiddler playing as they exit.

Starring in the ever popular role of Tevye is senior Zach Lenigar. Senior Rachel Amabeli will portray the part of Golde Tevye's wife. Rounding out the rest of the cast is Megan Fluharty as Tzeitel, Kim Caruso as Hodel, Julia Harris as Chava, Peyton Zamarelli as Shprintze and Julia Zamarelli as Bielke. Other main cast members include Monica Salvino as Yente the matchmaker, Nick Caruso as Moter the Tailor and Josh Ross as Perchick the teacher.

"Fiddler on the Roof Jr." will be a unique production because the cast includes about 400 singers as well as the main cast of actors and dancers.

The middle school and high school choirs will be joining together to perform in this production. Directors Zamarelli from the high school and Krista Clay from the middle school have joined forces to promote vocal music in the West Branch School District.

The show begins at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. All seats are general admission. Tickets are $5 and available at the door or by stopping in the high school office or calling the box office at 330-938-4442.