Staples Players Rewind: “Fiddler On The Roof”

In the fall of 2015, Staples Players staged another classic musical: “Fiddler on the Roof.”

It’s a challenging show: heavy themes, complex music, foreign cultures and accents.

As they always do, directors David Roth and Kerry Long’s high school troupes rose to the occasion.

And surpassed it.

Media instructor Jim Honeycutt taped the production. As he does each week now, he edited the 2 casts into 1 highlight reel. Click here or below to enjoy this great “tradition.”

Many cast members have gone on to great things, on and off the stage. Among them:

Jacob Leaf (Tevye) is a professional actor. He has appeared in “Mamma Mia!,” “Gypsy,” “Guys and Dolls,” “Eurydice” and more.

Julia Mandelbaum (Tzeitel) graduated from Rider University. She performed professionally in “Evita,” “Singing in the Rain,” and more.

Caroline Didelot (Hodel) appeared in “Kinky Boots” at Baldwin Wallace University, “42nd Street” at New London Barn Playhouse, and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” for Prime Video.

Zoe Samuels (Yente, the Matchmaker) is an associate strategy director at Edelman. She graduated with a degree in theater and Chinese from Middlebury College.

Jimmy Ray Stagg (Lazar Wolf, the butcher)  is a sketch writer and performer associated with The Second City. He also performs with the independent comedy group Penny For Your Intrusive Thoughts.

Wellington Baumann (Mordcha, the innkeeper) is a litigation associate at Fried Frank in New York City. focusing on white collar criminal defense, commercial disputes and real estate litigation. He is a graduate of Gettysburg College and the Washington & Lee University School of Law.

Keanan Pucci (Appa) graduated from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, contributing to virtual production pipelines and visual development for projects like Netflix’s “Escape from Hat.” His film credits include “An Inconsistent Story in Stealing. Click here for a showcase of his interactive and 3D work.

Christian Melhuish (Appa) is a singer, actor and dancer in New York. After graduating from Temple University with a BFA in musical theater, Christian has performed regionally around the country. Credits include Jesus (“Godspell”), Romeo (“Romeo & Juliet”) and Bob Gaudio (“Jersey Boys”). He has also performed Off-Broadway and in cabarets and staged readings.

Mackenzie Lavoie (Shandel, Motel’s mother) earned a bachelor of science in arts administration, combined arts and a minor in film and media studies at Wagner College. She is a communications and PR professional specializing in strategic storytelling, media relations and brand positioning.

Mikayla Czizik (Etil) is a New York-based actor, singer and dancer. She graduated with a BFA in Drama from NYU Tisch and the Atlantic Acting School.  She played Ash in her UK and Edinburgh Festival Fringe debut.

Avery Mendillo (Samara) is a New York-based actor and singer, with roots in musical theatre and a growing career in film and TV. She recently filmed her first feature film.

Remy Laifer (Motel Kamzoil, Yosef) s a New York-based actor and musician. A graduate of Northwestern University’s theatre program, he has appeared on television in NBC’s “New Amsterdam.” His film work includes “Escape from Myrtle Broadway” and “3 Worlds, 1 Modern Romance.”

Nick Ribolla (Perchick, the student)

Daniel Pauker (Mendel, the Rabbi’s son, Mandel)  is a technical animator. He has a passion for 3D software and systems.

Chad Celini (Arlin) is an American actor and performer who works in regional theater and independent productions. He has appeared in “Godspell,” “Curtains” and holiday musical revues, and on screen in the 2025 film “Game Over.”

Colin McKechnie (Soloman) s part of the premiere of Dance With Us with DGDC. He graduated from Ithaca College g with a BFA in acting, and a minor in dance. A stage and screen actor, he is playing Tony in the film adaption of Stephen King’s “I Know What You Need.”

Nick Rossi (Shmuel) is a professional singer, actor and musician. He has appeared regionally in “Master Harold … and the Boys,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “Pericles,” “La Cage Aux Folles” and “Jersey Boys.”

Jake Watzman (Benyamin) is an American voice actor and theatre performer. He graduated with a BA in theatre from Muhlenberg College. He is recognized for his work in indie animation, visual novels, and voiceover projects.

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