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Show Arts & Entertainment Cc. The Daily Herald Wednesday, Mey 22, 1996 Wilkins/Dodge relationship in Fiddler is that Dodge and Melany used to date, “Mel kissed him before she kissed me and not on stage,” said Richard Twenty-five years ago they act- ed it; now theyare “being it,” say Richard and Melany Wilkins of Orem, about their starring roles in Fiddler on the Roof. The musical piaying through June 10at the Hale Center Theater Orem has many sold out performances. Call 226-8600 for reser- vations. The Wilkins played opposite each other as Tevye and Golde in Fiddler whenthey were seniors in high school. Now 25 years later (to the month!) they are reprising their roles. Not only are they *“being” instead of “acting” Tevye and Golde, they are directing the show They shared the differences between the shows in 1971 and now For onething they rehearsed for 1i weeks and only performed it four times, Richard points out This time around they rehearse for i] weeks and do it for eight weeks three times a week “I's no fun to rehearse for 11 weeks and do it only four times,” Richard said Melany adds, “We have a chancetoreally appreciateit now.” Besides 25 years ago “I got my wisdom teeth out during rehearsal,” she says, which wasn’t exactly fun. Richard remembers “being madly in love with Mel since I was 16.” She just wantedto befriends, Richard says. But they were eac! other’s first date. The kiss in the 1971 Fiddler was their first kiss as a couple It’s a lot less romantic to kiss on stage.” Melany says. As a teenage Tevye, Richard had no beard. So Melany. as de had to put up with the “stinky spirit gum” that held on his fake beard during the kiss! Directing his childhood friend, Mernil Dodge, as the alterna! Tevye this month could make things a little uncomfortable for Richard, but he says they have grownupsince younger days. An additional twist to the “But I made the right choice (in husbands)'” Melany laughed. Another changeafter 25 yearsis that the show is a family affair with their four children involved. Chava, their Fiddler daughter is their real life daughter, Claire, age 15. Brinton, age 18, plays the rabbi’s son and is the stage manager on alternate nights, Rex, age 5, “We've been married 22 years (compared to 25 years for Tevye and Golde),” Richard said, “and we understand now the underlying commitment Tevye and Golde had to each other — through all their roblems. | think you have to have fad somehard times to understand this show.” Melany agrees that their many years of marriage helps with portraying the role but for different reasons: “It’s very comfortable now. | snap at him — we know howtofight now! But we still love each other no matter what.” “Tevye and Golde are really friends. Our (Richard and my)friendship began in high school and is a bedrock.” —Melany Wilkins dances in the show andis a suitor to thelittle girls. Rex also entertains the cast in the green room when the actors aren't on stage he knows the entire show so he sings the songs 2s as they wait nce. Oldest daughter, Brooke, 20, is house er to this show and works in the HCToffice Chava’s part brought emotional feelings from both parents Richard said, “Chavo riacmes the Russian. | tell her she an‘t marry outside the faith and [ feel it very strongly. Cl Clova is our youngest daughter thetears are real,” Melany thinks the: childrén will always enjoy theaier on some level and enumerates the reasons she feels that’s good: “Doing theater enhances academic abilities - the ability to memorize. see ather people's point of view, cooperate, be a te be ‘real’ while doing it, learn rhythm and think fast on your feet.” Long-term marriage has helped Richard and Melany understand their roles in Fiddler and carry out the parts believably She adds. “Tevye and Golde are really friends. Our (Richard and my) friendship b in high schoo! and is a bedrock.” Richard nods and said, “It’s not bad to be fiends first and lovers second.” The Wilkins have participated in theater over the years in between the two Fiddlers. “ve heeninvolved in theater for six to nine months of the year for nearly 13 years.” Richard said “This (Fiddler) is the most work, but also the most rewarding. I've never been so happy as with this show. I feel so proud ofit that | feel sinful!” Heis the director, she the assis: tant director or the “gofer.” He has the imagination and likes large conceptual things. She is terrific with details. “I have an idea and Mel sees that it’s done.” laughs Richard. How does it work to be direc tors andstars of a musical? Richard says it works this way “T can stand back and watch her and she can stand back and watch me. We can say to each other, Changethis, dear’ or “I have an idea."~ He continues, “You have to have someone who is absolutely honest. You can’t do that for yourself, so you trust someone Both directors are impressed with Fiddler on the Roof and call it a classic piece. “I think this is the high point of American musical theater. Fiddler is going to be done as long as musicals survive. It’s a most care- fully planned musical. It has a strong story, good characters and great music,” Richard said. “The only one to compare is Les Miserables. Extensive research, both religious and histoncal has been done by cast members. The two rabbis in the cast visited with a Salt Lake City rabbito insure the authentici ty of the wedding sceneand bottle dance “People who want to do Fiddler really havean affinity for the Jewish culture,” said the director. One actor recently returned from Rus sia. Cast members brought books concerning the Jews to read and study in the green room whenthey were not onstage during rehearsal “The constal coat is an actual 1910 pre-Revolutionary Czarist military coat from the Hermitage in Russia.” Richard said. “It may have been worn in the pogroms may havebeeninvolved in forcing people fromtheir homes.” The director points out that the last tableau of Fiddler is great to beexperienced during Utah's Cen tennial Year. “They were forced out (of their homes) for religious beliefs just like the Saints. That's so familiar to us. There's a connec tion thathits here in this community — the commitment to faith. When Wilkins are not acting Fiddler they are sitting in the audience laughing and crying along with everyone else. But when it’s their night to perform Richard can’t hold back “I can hardly breathe,” hesaid. “I'm soexcited to doit (the part) with Melany. It’s the whole range of healthy emotions of marriage. | wisheverybody's marriage was committed as Tevye and Golde.” e#eererenes By KAREN HOAG Special to The Daily Heraid eeegues Orem couple plays opposite each other on stage, in life Daily Heraic Proto Jengiter Gngg Richard and Melany Wilkins of Orem perform as T and Golde in. Hale Center Theater's production of “Fiddler on Roof.” They! played the same roles 25 years ago in a high Shoal production. ate or only $38 per menth"Make a tum for the better with the extra-tight wing radius of the 13-hp go STX38 5-speed Get behind a 14PZ Walk-Behind Mower andsave $140 This 5-hp, cast-aluminum deck model with rear dischargeis a value-priced critic’s choice. 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