Meet your match: ‘Fiddler on the Roof Jr.’ debuts April 21-22 at NHS

Looming above the high school cast of “Fiddler on the Roof Jr.” is a massive set. Its colorful and whimsical aesthetics not only provide a perfect backdrop for audiences to immerse themselves into the world, but also provide the actors with a tangible environment that encourages them to fully embody their parts.

The set — which was first constructed 10 years ago and was retouched for this current production — certainly leaves a big impression. Seniors Jessica Endres, Leo Friedman and Ethan Swihart agree its one of the biggest sets they’ve ever seen these past four years they have participated in theater.

“Imagine trying to take it down,” chides Swihart. “I’m dreading it!”

Endres puts Swihart at ease. “It’s going to be OK. We’ll have adults helping us.”

Friedman says the stage is one of the better aspects of the show. A lot of the props, too, were repurposed from when Newton put on the production of “Fiddler on the Roof” a decade ago. The cast spent all of spring break setting everything up. It was a lot of hard work, but Friedman says it was well worth it.

“Having a set like this behind you helps you get into character and embody the scene even more,” Friedman says.

Endres points out that the set even has the names of the different locations on it, as well. While the great scenery certainly helps actors personify their parts, it does limit their movement since they have less stage space to play around. It offers new challenges, but not enough to impede their performances.

Or how much fun they’re having in a scene or musical number. “Fiddler on the Roof” debuted on Broadway in 1964 and tells the story of a milkman named Tevye who lives in a village in Imperial Russia. Tevye struggles to maintain his religious and cultural traditions as outside influences encroach on his family life.

Participating in a production of one of the most recognizable musicals of all time comes with some benefits. Swihart is just happy he got the only role, as the constable, that requires no singing and no dancing. Endres just loves seeing people who aren’t normally in theater participate in a big musical production.

“And just kind of helping them get introduced to what’s going on, and you can also rope in more people — like say the freshmen — to get them more excited for different shows that are coming up,” Endres, who plays the village matchmaker Yente, says.

As with any musical, Friedman says audiences are going to love the big dance and musical numbers. Those are the parts the cast has spent so much more time on than anything else; and audiences will see how much work and energy they have all put into their practices.

“Fiddler on the Roof Jr.” is also the last show of the season, and the last high school show Endres, Friedman and Swihart will star in. Endres wishes she had another year to keep putting on shows with her peers. For Swihart, the last show is bittersweet. He is going to miss it.

“But at the same time I’m tired!” he says.

Friedman adds, “After doing eight different shows here and being with all these people for such a long time, it’s a great way to end it. I hope everybody comes out and supports this great cast and to see us finish out strong.”

“Fiddler on the Roof Jr.” debuts 7 p.m. April 21 and 22 at the Center for Performance in Newton High School. Tickets at the door cost $5. The show is directed by Melinda Robertson. Noah Short is tech director, Kaitlyn Bloom is choreographer and Emily Miller is the music director.