Preparations continue for the Washington Little Theater Company's production of Fiddler on the Roof April 3-6 during the Spring Tour of Homes. Besides many veteran actors there are a lot of newcomers making their first appearances ever on stage.

Jameson Graves, who plays a Russian Cossack, is busy in full time work at Wills Memorial Hospital. He also is carrying a hefty course load at the University of Phoenix Augusta campus as a criminology major. His background in football, track, and cheerleading during high school makes for an agile dancer who can also sing and act. Cynthia Altman, who is lending her talents as choreographer for some of the more difficultdance numbers, has been impressed with how quickly Jameson (a.k.a. Scooter) picks up his role for his first time on stage. Along with veteran actors Jacob Davis and Ian Coe, and newcomer Grant Kimbrell, "They're doing a fantastic job!" Altman said.

Dr. Lester Johnston is a busy husband, father of two young sons, and local physician in both officeand emergency room medicine. He agreed to join the Fiddler cast as Perchick, the radical teacher, after "the director, ahem, lead me to believe it was just a minimal part. I had no idea what I was getting myself into! But just the same, I'm really enjoying the experience and the interaction with this most interesting and diverse cast of people. There's never a dull moment, just like at home!"

Travelling all the way from Augusta are the Kimbrell brothers, Jonathan (Motel, the tailor) and Grant (Russian /dancer/back stage helper). Jonathan made special arrangements between his landscaping business and his class schedule in musical technology in Atlanta to attend practices for Fiddler. Someone even asked if he was from Israel because he fitsthe part so well. His younger brother, Grant, is a homeschooler in the eighth grade, an accomplished pianist, and all around comedian who is enjoying his debut on the stage. He didn't realize he could actually do those Russian dances nor did he appreciate how much your legs ache when you're learning them. The boy's mother, Jennifer, will be contributing to the musical ensemble as clarinetist.

A special "discovery' of the cast is Rose Weser of Lincolnton. During the first rehersal Shay Harris, musical director, approached director Stan Coe and said, "There's your Golde." With some hisitation Rose agreed to give the role a try.

"The result you'll have to experience for yourselves, but just know you're in for a treat!" Coe said. "Rose's 'day job' is as a registered nurse in the Orthopedic Clinic at MCG. But we hope to see more of her in future WLTCo. productions."

Of course, anyone who knows Henry Harris will not be surprised to see that the role of Lazer Wolf, the butcher, has been waiting for the likes of Henry to step into it. He has been on stage as a master of ceremonies but not in an actual acting role. "But like so many of the newcomers to this production," Coe said, "it seems as if they were just waiting for someone to hand them a script. They've got the goods. Every one of them is just a natural on stage. It's exciting and gratifying to see all this talent emerge through hard work and dedication and everybody working together."

Be sure not to miss one of the four performances of Fiddler on the Roof the first week of April at the Bolton Lunceford Playhouse. The entire cast is privilidged to be the first production since the playhouse was named in Lunceford's honor. For reservations, call 706-678-9582.