How glorious it will be to produce Fiddler On The Roof, with a large cast and full orchestra!  With auditions just weeks away I would like to introduce you to the team who will be directing, designing and creating this very special show.

In the role of director we welcome Robert Neu (as the second of two new directors this season.)  By day Robert is the General Manager of the Minnesota Orchestra where he directed Hansel and Gretel which the St. Paul Pioneer Press hailed as “…..with imaginative stagecraft that captivates the youngest among us, this “Hansel and Gretel” proved splendid from start to finish.”  He also directed La Boheme which the Pioneer Press said “

“La Boheme” was the summer’s hottest ticket on the classical music scene and it proved well worth the effort to snare a seat.  One of this year’s most enjoyable evenings at the opera.” And the Star Tribune said “ Director Neu drew utterly convincing performances – no stock operatic gestures here, but natural human behavior.  He was particularly effective at mining the rich comedy.  It doesn’t get much better than this.”  Robert calls FIDDLER one of his favorite musicals and we are excited to welcome him to GREAT Theatre.

In the role of musical director Dr. Hillary Vermillion returns after musically directing both HSM2 and Madeline’s Christmas last season.  Her daytime job consists of teaching voice at St. Cloud State University, Sauk Rapids High School and private lessons all over central Minnesota.  Being multi-talented Hillary will also be playing the Cello in the pit for Willy Wonka and she appeared this past summer as Dominia in our production of A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum AND she taught 10 weeks of Seussical Summer Camp.  What can’t Hillary do?

In the role of choreographer former St. Cloud resident Alison Feigh returns after choreographing Peter Pan last season.  Alison grew up doing community theater in the St. Cloud area and has been choreographing shows locally since 1995. Recent projects for GREAT include choreographing High School Musical, Annie, and Peter Pan as well as currently serving as the Assistant to the Director for RENT. She is a graduate of St. Olaf College and is currently balancing her time between St. Paul and St. Cloud as she completes her master’s degree at St. Cloud State University.

And the amazing team continues–Tom Kuhn, who acted last season in Aladdin, but also designed our production of HONK!, will be designing the set.  Joanne Dorsher returns as costume designer after designing over 32 productions for GREAT.  Louis Berg-Arnold joins us as our first Pit Director and Accompanist.  Courtney Bokovoy is Stage Managing, John Loreth is Technical Director, Bonnie Bologna is our Props designer and Jerry Ford is Sound Designer.  Wow. Great Team.  Makes ME want to audition!

-Dennis Whipple