McKeesport Area to stage ‘Fiddler on the Roof’

The cast and crew will debut the Broadway classic at 7 tonight.

McKeesport Area High School students will transport audiences to the small Jewish village of Anatevka for their 2026 spring musical “Fiddler on the Roof,” which debuts tonight.

“Fiddler on the Roof” takes place in Imperial Russia during the early 1900s and explores Jewish traditions as the world around them changes. Co-producers Sarah Persin and Tracy Light said that this year’s cast put all their might into putting together the musical.

“Come out and support these kids and all their hard work, and watch them excel and really shine on the stage,” Light said. “They’ve done a lot of hard work to get to where they’re at.”

Show times are 7 p.m. today, Friday and Saturday, plus a 2 p.m. matinee Saturday.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $7 for senior citizens and students. Tickets can be purchased online at https://cur8. com/26133/project/134733 Persin, who is also the pit orchestra director, said that she’s especially looking forward to sharing the music with the audience.

“I’ve been really excited to do the show because I love the music,” Persin said. “There’s a really good balance of string music and also wind, brass, percussion side of it, the kids are doing a really good job. I’m excited to see the music come together.”

Persin added that the show has been a good learning experience for the students in the cast.

“I think it’s been good for them to perform such a different culture of people,” she said. “So, I feel like they’ve learned a lot through that show. So I’m excited to see that too.”

Phoenix Funk, who plays Lazar Wolf, and Brooklyn Donelson, who is Hodel, are both seniors and said it’s a bittersweet feeling to do their final musical in high school. Donelson said that she’s going to the University of Guelph in Canada to study animal biology in hopes of becoming a veterinarian.

“It’s kind of depressing, because I’m not going to ever do anything like this again, because I’m not going to school for music when I go to college,” Donelson said. “This is for real, this will be my last ever performance, like in all music ensembles. So it’s kind of sad.”

Funk said he’s still deciding on which university to go to, but said he plans to study music education and clarinet. Funk said he’s waiting till after their closing night to find out how he feels about his last show, but added that he’s excited to continue with music after high school.

Both Funk and Donelson encouraged the McKeesport community to come out and see their show this week.

“It’s a really good show, first off, the music is recognizable,” Funk said. “I know a lot of people don’t listen to musical theater, but ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ is just one of those shows that you’ve heard at least once in your life.”

Donelson emphasized the importance of a show like “Fiddler on the Roof” and its message, especially with the current state of the world.

“It’s relevant today, because of what’s going on in other countries, and it has stuff that is also very important to know about,” Donelson said. “Watch this show and learn about Jewish culture. I think it’s really great, especially for the time.

“I think that’s what’s really made me want to do the show because I feel so passionate about what’s going on in the world. I’m one of those people who look into everything. I read, I watch the news, I read news articles. This show is so relevant, and people need to come watch it so they can understand more in the world.”

Cast members

The 2026 McKeesport Area High School “Fiddler on the Roof” cast features: Michael Pfeffercorn (Tevye); Lucas Sotereanos (Motel); JJ Wunderley (Perchik); Phoenix Funk (Lazar Wolf); Emma Cantu (Mordcha/ Innkeeper); Michael Payne (Fyedka); Jonovan Melendez (Constable); Chloe Lochinski (Avram); Bowie Koiser (Mendel); Cimone Scruggs (The Fiddler); Jacob Cherepko (The Rabbi); Anastasia Bakaturski (Golde); Reagan Sheposh (Tzeitel); Brooklyn Donelson (Hodel); Maggie Badstibner (Chava); Marissa Alberts (Yente); Jalesa Griffin (Grandma Tzeitel); Myasiah Rowland (Fruma Sarah); Rasheena Carson (Shaindel).

Littles: Ben Seaberg, Sophia Aukerman, Geno Luketic, Gavin Luketic, Evangeline Hrinda. Papas: Michael Pfeffercorn, Emma Cantu, Phoenix Funk, Chloe Lochinski, Cimone Scruggs, Jacob Cherepko, Branden Castle. Sons: Lucas Sotereanos, JJ Wunderley, Michael Payne, Bowie Koiser, Evan Morgan (Sasha). Mamas: Ellie Branca, Lily Cleary, Maddie Florenz, Gennavecya McKamey, Asia Richie, Faith Thornton, Ellie Wunderley. Daughters: Lony Bose, Kendahl Frederick, Jaidah Graham, Sydney Hrinda, Mackenzie Patterson, Quamya Stringer.

Stage Crew: Marek Krol, Madison Martino, Mariah Becker, Alashya Gateley.

Orchestra — Violin: Ava Dixon, Ivanka Krol, Olivia Przybyla, Makenna Strok, Ms. Tina Wos. Bass: Mr. Joe Diamond. Cello: Mr. Dennis Persin. Clarinet: Antoine Smith, Mrs. Karen Cole. Trombone: Mr. Jeff Kesser. Trumpet: Mr. Noah Crawford. Percussion: Dr. Keith Parton. Piano: Ms. Hazel Braun.