Liberal Talk Radio

From the Birmingham News — actors are doing research for a revival of “Fiddler on the Roof” . . . in Alabama:

The cast of “Fiddler on the Roof” got a Hanukkah present of sorts on Saturday — a crash course in Judaism and Yiddish before a rehearsal for Birmingham’s upcoming presentation of the play.

“Yiddish is a dying language; not many people write or speak Yiddish anymore,” said Jane Siegel of Birmingham-Southern College, who gave the presentation. She helped the actors with pronunciation and gave them background on Jewish rituals.

The 1964 musical comedy, which became a movie in 1971, will be showing Jan. 18 through Feb. 4, Thursdays through Sundays, at the Virginia Samford Theatre, 1116 26th St. South.

Siegel, who is Jewish, said the play and the film have become a cultural touchstone on the Jewish immigrant experience for both Jews and non-Jews.

“Most of us are gentiles, so we thought it would be helpful to learn more about Jewish culture for the play,” said Lucas Pepke, who plays Perchik in the production.

After the learning session, the cast rehearsed “Tradition,” one of the most famous songs from the musical. The cast includes Bill Bugg as Tevya and Boots Carrol as Yenta . . .

America . . . F**k yeah!