<< Back 9/25/02 ACT opens with “Fiddler on the Roof” SMN Asheville Community Theatre opens its 57th season on Sept. 27 with the musical “Fiddler on the Roof.” Jerry Crouch and Lenora Thom, director and musical director of ACT’s productions of “Annie” and the “Music Man,” have assembled a cast of 48 to bring the 1905 Jewish village of Anatevka to vibrant life on stage. Veteran actor and funnyman Frank Avery will be featured as “Tevye the milkman” in his farewell performance to Asheville at ACT. Joining Avery on stage as his domineering wife, Golde, is the Asheville Lyric Opera’s Ruth Butler. Glenna Grant, Elena Pisano, Bridget Russell, Manon Maravit and ACT’s own “Annie,” Adyson Banks, will play their five daughters. Director Crouch has lured enough “star-power” to fill several stages: ACT veterans John Bridges and Angelina Spencer play the pious Rabbi and the shrieking ghost Fruma-Sarah. Lisa Sturz, nationally known puppeteer, will play the hilarious role of Yente, the matchmaker. Bill Wolfe, Rick Webb and Aaron Aldridge play the suitors of the three oldest girls. Paul Mareth, Doug Hauschild, Allen Tucker and June Thomas lend their fine voices to the roles of Lazar Wolfe, the Russian Constable, Mordcha, the Innkeeper and Grandma Tzeitel. Nationally known choreographer Michele Lee of Center Stage Dance Studio, recreates the legendary Jerome Robbins’ dances with a host of talented teenagers dancing and leaping across the stage in authentic Russian and Jewish folk dances. Performances will be held at 8 p.m. Sept. 27, 28 and Oct. 3, 4, 5, 10, 11 and 12. Sunday matinee performances are at 2:30 p.m. are scheduled for Sept. 29, Oct. 6 and 13. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students. For reservations call the ACT Box Office at 254.1320. Box office hours are noon to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to curtain on show days. ACT is located at 35 East Walnut Street in downtown Asheville.