Drama Fever at YoF!

Joy Feinberg (center), who starred as Queen Aggravaine, with Isaac Dayan, who gave a convincing portrayal of Prince Dauntless in the 7th grade play

The winter season at Yeshivah of Flatbush was filled with drama. That is, the good, entertaining kind of drama that accompanies the annual school plays.

The Joel Braverman High School senior class production of Fiddler on the Roof was held on a Saturday night. A packed audience of family, friends, alumni and the senior class, supported their fellow classmates. The play, directed by Marius Zilberstein and senior Stephanie Lifshutz, starred Tzachi Posner as the philosophical village milkman Tevye and Amanda Levitt as his wife Golda. Sara Reiss, who played Yenta the nosy matchmaker, had the audience roaring with laughter from her perfect Yiddish accent. By the laughter and applause throughout the play, it was apparent that Fiddler on the Roof was a huge success, which is a direct result of the long hours spent during practices and dress rehearsals, and the huge amount of effort from the entire cast and crew.

The entire cast and crew of “Fiddler on the Roof” with director Marius Zilberstein (center)

At the end of the play, the senior class went on stage and performed their alma mater for the first time in front of the audience. It was written by Sarah Sarway, Rachel Maslow, Ronette Chattah and Daniel Reichman.

Amanda Levitt, who starred as Golda, lighting the Shabbat candles in a scene from “Fiddler on the Roof”

Once Upon a Mattress was the play of choice for the 7th graders, whose annual musical production is a highlight of Middle Division. Directed by Karen Rafaeli, it starred Sara Rezak as Princess Winnifred, Isaac Dayan as Prince Dauntless and Joy Feinberg as Queen Aggravaine.

Harriet Sasson and Robyn Nagourney, cast members of “Once Upon a Mattress”

The amount of work the 7th graders put into the play is immeasurable. Try-outs for the play were held in June of last year and practice began as soon as school started in September. The cast put in long hours and practiced twice a week after school, ensuring the play would be a big success. The play was truly a grade effort as even those not starring in it helped out with scenery, lighting, audio visual, stage crew, the Playbill and ticket sales. The Playbill committee, led by teacher Fran Pollack, not only produced a Broadway-worthy Playbill, but also designed fabulous sweatshirts.

Both the 7th Grade and the high school senior class plays are YOF annual traditions, which become treasured, life-long memories for all those involved.
_____________
Annie Lubin is a freelance writer.