LA GRANDE — Eastern Oregon University brings “Fiddler on the Roof” to life this spring in a production that reflects director Kenn Wheeler’s vision of uniting students and community members on one stage.

Running May 14-17 at 7 p.m., with an additional Saturday matinee at 2 p.m., the show features a 58-member cast composed of EOU students, alumni and residents.

“Fiddler on the Roof” follows the story of Tevye, a Jewish milkman struggling to maintain his cultural and religious traditions as his daughters grow up and the world around him shifts in early 20th-century Russia. 

“This is more than a college production,” Wheeler said. “It’s a community event. It’s about people coming together to create something meaningful. Some families are doing this show together just for the joy of it.”

For Wheeler, “Fiddler” means more than just a return to large-scale musicals — it’s a reconnection with the broader community.

“We had to wait for high schools to bounce back after COVID before we could rebuild our pipeline of student performers,” Wheeler said. “This is the first year it’s felt possible to stage something this big again. So we went all in.”

And “all in” is no understatement. The production includes entire families from the La Grande area, creating powerful on-stage moments of genuine connection, like during the Sabbath Prayer scene, when real-life families perform side by side.

While the ensemble is expansive, EOU students remain at the heart of the production. Sophomore Aurelio Marin, a familiar face on stage at EOU, helps lead the cast. When Wheeler had to step away early in rehearsals due to a family emergency, Marin stepped up, helping to organize and lead practices in the director’s absence.

“I don’t think the production would’ve come together without Aurelio’s leadership,” Wheeler said. “He’s been remarkable.”

Other students are also taking on major roles behind the scenes. Senior Kay Kellogg serves as assistant director after completing her own senior project production earlier this year. Music direction comes from Trevor Winder. EOU Cheer Coach Heather Watson will act as the choreographer.

The show lands right in the middle of EOU’s Blue and Gold Weekend, making it a fun way to wrap up a full day of campus and community events. With five performances — including two on Saturday — Wheeler hopes folks will take the chance to come see it.

“For me, performance is the reward,” Wheeler said. “It’s that moment of connection with the audience that matters most. I want our students to have as many of those moments as possible.”

“Fiddler on the Roof” will be staged in the newly renovated McKenzie Theater in Loso Hall. 

Tickets are $15 adults, $10 seniors/veterans/military, $10 children and free for EOU students at www.eou.edu/theatre/production-season/.

Blue and Gold Weekend

The fifth annual Blue and Gold Weekend at EOU is May 16-17. On Friday, a golf scramble starts at 1 p.m. at the La Grande Country Club, and the women’s basketball alumni game begins at 6 p.m. at Quinn Coliseum.

On Saturday, tailgating starts at 10 a.m., followed by the volleyball alumni game at 10:30 a.m., women’s soccer alumni game at 11 a.m., football spring game at 1 p.m. and men’s soccer alumni game at 4 p.m.

Learn more at https://tinyurl.com/ypyaa3d8.