At first glance, the village of Anatevka you see tonight may seem nothing like the town or city in which you live. Most of us do not suffer as much, nor do we marvel at sewing machines nor scoff at the idea of marrying for love. However, upon closer inspection, one can find a number of aspects of Anatevka that bear significant resemblance to the University, Charlottesville, and many other communities around the world.

UVA, after all, is a community entrenched in its traditions. And while we might be more prone to streaking the lawn than keeping our heads covered, these traditions afford us a bond that connects us to those who came before and those still to come. By following them we create the community in which we all find comfort, just like Tevye and the rest Anatevka.

However, our similarities extend beyond our adherence to tradition. Sadly enough, racial hostility, religious intolerance, and self-segregation of many kinds still exist to varying degrees in communities near and far. On behalf of the rest of the cast and staff, I encourage you to compare this story to your own experiences and see where those thoughts take you. It was my desire to encourage reflection on these topics that first inspired me to propose this show, but it was the talent and unflappable work ethic of so many that made it all possible. On a personal note, I must thank my parents for their support and for listening to me talk about the show nonstop for these past months.

But there are many other people to whom I owe thanks. To the artistic staff: each of you has played such an integral role in this process. I have such admiration for all of you, and have come to consider you some of my best friends. To the cast: you are such gifted performers. It has truly been a pleasure to work with each and every one of you. You will all undoubtedly accomplish a great deal during the rest of your time here, and I already regret that I won’t be around to see most of it. To the pit: I am in awe of your skills. Without you this show wouldn’t be as moving as it is. I cannot thank you enough. To the production staff: the work you do is never glamorous and rarely properly appreciated, but I am immensely grateful for everything you do. You constitute the core of this wonderful organization. 

And lastly, to the tech staff: I barely know where to start. FYP tech has been my home at UVA since my very first semester. I could not have asked for a better group of people to saw, sew, and sweat with year after year. Because of your efforts these first year players are brighter, louder and better supported as they tell stories that both entertain and inspire. If I have learned anything in the eight shows I’ve worked on it is this: no one in this organization should ever doubt the importance of the role they play. I have been blessed to be a part of it. I will miss you all too much to think about. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
--Morgan Whitaker, Director