04/04/2024
As we prepare for our upcoming production of Once Upon a Time in Anatevka we want our future audience to know the cast.
Jonathan Tarpy became interested in acting during the Covid19 pandemic while living in NYC. At the time one of the only places still open during the lock-downs was a little theater off broadway where actress Catherine Russel taught a weekly acting class. Jonathan joined the class to improve his public speaking abilities and soon became intrigued by the work of an actor. Through one of the other students in the class, Jonathan was cast in a short film that has been screened at more than a dozen film festivals, winning several prizes, including the Grand Prix at a festival in France last year.
What role are you playing? Can you tell us about it?
J.T.I am playing Motl, an extremely poor, sorry excuse for a tailor in the small fictional town of Anatevka. Motl is in love with Tevye's oldest daughter, Tzeitl who also loves him. Motl knows his chances of marrying Tzeitl are slim to none unless he can get up the courage to break with tradition and convince Tevye to give his consent to marry his daughter. J.J.T
What has your favorite/most memorable experience been?
J.T. It has been pleasure working with the large cast for this show whose age's range from 8 to 80 years old. My favorite part has been talking to the director Andrei Kuoznetsov about the back-stories and inner lives of the characters.
What made you want to do this play?
J.T.I go to a weekly acting class at the Blue Horse Repertoire in Troy, along with Jack Fallon who plays the staring role in the play as Reb Tevye. One day Jack brought on stage one of his scenes from the play to rehearse during the class and during the performance I felt that Tevye was in the room, sitting in the chair that Jack had been sitting in but a moment earlier. So when Jack asked if I wanted to try out for a part in the play I was immediately interested.
How has your experience been in this project so far?
J.T. The process has been hugely educational for a newbie like me. I’ve gotten an inside view in on all the moving parts required to put a play up onto the stage, it really takes a whole village, one the size of Anatevka itself!
Do you have a favorite line from the show?
J.T. I have several favorite lines!
Constable: "You are a funny man, Tevye, even though you are a Jew!"
Tevye: "Someone's got to be a jew, your honor, better me than you!"
Constable: "Haha, right you are, Tevye"
Tevye: "Oh Lord, you did not make woman from a rib, but from tears”
Yentl: “Times are new but the laws are old, fish and birds don’t build nests together”
Why should people come out to see this show?
J.T.In light of the events happening in the world these past several years, this story is as relevant today as it was on the day it was written. The clothing has changed, but mankind’s proclivity toward hate - and his ability to laugh his way out of dire tragedy - has not.
Once Upon a Time in Anatevka
Production Dates: Thursday April 11, Friday, April 12, Saturday April 13, and Sunday April 14
Time: Thursday, Saturday: 7:00pm – 9:30pm, Sunday: 3pm-5:30pm
Where: Neil and Jane Golub Theater @ Adeline Wright Graham Boys & Girls Club of Schenectady, 104 Education Drive, Schenectady, NY 12303
Tickets: $20/online at www.eventbrite.com, $20/person at the door, $15/students
