It wouldn't be a rehearsal for the Eldorado Teen Players if choreographer Robyn Avalon wasn't whipping everybody into shape.

"Downstage, downstage," she screamed frantically at a group of actors attempting to move a large piece of the set during a rehearsal of the production of Fiddler on the Roof, now playing at the James A. Little Theater.

They finally got the piece of the set where it needed to be and continued, only to be stopped again to allow Avalon to give the troupe a piece of advice.

"Rehearse the way you want to perform," Avalon shouted before stopping them one last time to announce a change in plans — they were about to begin from the top, with no interruptions.

All the actors rushed backstage to put on their opening costumes and when they were ready, Avalon had some last words for them.

"This show is looking really nice," she said. "Now you just need to pull it together."

It opened with 8-year-old Phoenix Avalon as the Fiddler on the Roof playing flawlessly, and lead actor Max Dickter, 17, taking the stage as Tevye. Soon the rest of the troupe followed, belting out a beautifully harmonized performance of the famous song "Tradition."

Digging deep

It is the story of tradition (and breaking it), focuses on Tevye and his family — his wife and five daughters — set in pre-Revolutionary Czarist Russia, in a small village called Anatevka.

Director Lisa Lincoln said they decided to perform Fiddler on the Roof because it would give the actors a chance to push themselves.

"I think it has some of the deepest acting roles that most of them have done," Lincoln said. "They have to really dig deep and they can relate to a lot of the characters because of their age."

She said the theme of change and "going against traditions" is a relevant, especially now that the nation has its first black president and times are changing.

"Tradition is always being broken, whether it's 1905 or today," Lincoln said. "Things change and life goes on. Things can't always stay the same."

At first, Lincoln said, the actors thought that it "was such an old play" and that it wouldn't be fun.

"But then one of them said to me, 'I've fallen in love with the show and I can relate so much to the characters,' " Lincoln said.

Fiddler on the Roof has resonated with this group of actors, and many of them say they can relate to the story.

Sarah Livingston, who plays Tevya's daughter Chava, definitely can, she said. Chava is the "rebellious" daughter, Livingston said. She's always into her books and ends up defying her Jewish family by marrying a Christian.

"It's put me in a position that I can identify with because I'm a Jew and my parents are too," Livingston said. "Their ideal thing is for me to find some nice Jewish guy, and if I don't, I know it's going to be hard for them."

There's a lot to love about the story, said actor Rachel Tynes, who plays daughter Hodel.

"I really like the culture and how you can see the different culture of Judaism," Tynes said. "I'm Jewish and a lot of Jewish people can relate to the story. There are a lot of jokes that they'll get, and breaking the tradition is something that is a universal theme ... everybody can relate."

Facing the challenge

Dickter said that he's been working to perfect his voice because the role of Tevye requires a lot of singing, something that he doesn't consider his strong suit. He's been working with Lincoln and musician Jerry Millstein.

"When I first started with the company, I was not a very adequate singer," Dickter said. "I've always loved singing, but I don't necessarily have music theory down."

Dickter said that he took the opportunity to play Tevye and it's helped him grow as an actor. The role has been challenging because of the singing and "the emotional turmoil that I go through," he said. "I have such ups and downs. There's a lot of joy, but at the same time a lot of sorrow. I have the opportunity to cover a wide emotional spectrum and to do some quality acting."

When Dickter got the role, he decided to do some research and found the original book by Sholom Aleichem in a 1946 edition at Temple Beth Shalom. He read and took a lot from it.

"The foreword has a pretty in-depth character analysis of Tevye," Dickter said. "I really enjoyed reading that and taking it in."

Dickter was sporting a new beard, the reasons for which were threefold: It was for his role as Tevye; a "playoff beard" in support of the Philadelphia Eagles; and a "beard for Obama," he said with a laugh.

Tynes said she didn't research her role of Hodel, she just "dug deep" and tried to feel how Hodel would have when she left home.

"I had to think deep about leaving my family," Tynes said, which is something she'll be doing in a few years. "I'll be going off to college, and I thought how hard it would have to be to choose a boy over your family."

Livingston saw the movie to prepare, she said, but "being Jewish does make it a little easier," she said with a laugh. "I'm not going to lie."

Livingston has no problem preparing for roles since the
17-year-old has been acting since she was 5.

Tom Silver said he prepared for his part as Lazar Wolf, the butcher, by looking to the people in his community.

"Being Jewish, I kind of looked into how other people in my community act and looked a little further into how that religion works," Silver said.

Talent shines

As usual, the Eldorado Teen Players are a treat to watch. Along with familiar actors like Greg Garcia, Antonio Marquez, Dickter, and Livingston, there are a few newcomers to look forward to.

Anya Markowitz plays Yente to perfection. She'll have the audience in stitches in no time with her portrayal of the frail yet feisty matchmaker.

Silver, 16, said that his role as Lazar Wolf is his first big role.

"I was the narrator in Rocky Picture Horror Show, but I didn't get to sing or anything," Silver said. He is challenged by "the fact that I get to act and sing, and learn how to do that perfect and put it on-stage."

He said he's enjoyed his big break so far because his character is a little different.

"He's got one of the best songs, I think, which is 'To Life' and he's one of the more memorable characters," Silver said. "He doesn't have the same attitude as everyone else in the town — there's this mentality that everyone in town has and he's somewhat different. He's stubborn and he sticks out a little bit more."

Silver gets to sport a "fat suit" for his role, complete with a large pair of trousers and a big vest.

Tynes shines in her role.

"She gets swept away in this different world and new tradition," Tynes said of her character, Hodel.

Tynes said she admires her character because "she has her own voice and stands up for what she believes in."

Hailey Jonoubeh is definitely a talent to look forward to in her role as Golde, Tevye's wife.

"I've seen her develop as an actress," Lincoln said. "All of them have really taken (their acting) to the next step with this show."

Contact Ana Maria Trujillo at 986-3084 or atrujillo@sfnewmexican.com.