With a cast involving 56 students and another dozen on the set crew, Mid-Prairie High School presents their spring musical production of “Fiddler on the Roof” this weekend.

Performances are at 7 p.m. today and tomorrow with a 2 p.m. matinee Sunday, but Assistant Director Christy Meader says Saturday’s show is sold out and tickets for the other two shows are also selling well. She believes it’s an indication people in the school district are eager to see students performing live after COVID-19 has limited those opportunities throughout most of the school year. 

Senior Kyra Helmuth plays the female lead character of Golde. She says acting and singing in such a classic musical makes her nervous, “Yes, big time. I get really nervous because I wasn’t very familiar with ‘Fiddler on the Roof.’ I knew of it, but I didn’t know many songs from it or anything and so, seeing how excited and obsessed everyone in our community is with it, it does make me really nervous. I’m excited, but I’m really nervous.”

Senior Cooper Thomas plays the male lead character of Tevye. He says it’s his most challenging role as an actor and while putting his own spin on Tevye might be nice, he’s going to keep it traditional, “There’s no other way, it has to be, the entire theme of the show is tradition and sometimes the breaking of, but I feel like the character of Tevye is one tradition you cannot break.”

Meader adds students will perform without masks on stage, but they will be required to wear masks behind the scenes. Masks are also required for those attending this weekend’s performances.