GMC News

Boylans join forces for \’Fiddler\’
By Philip Gaffney – The Union-Recorder

MILLEDGEVILLE – Age has no boundaries – there is a lively, youthful spirit in all of us. Just ask Peter and Kathy Boylan.

Students on campus might see Peter as the \”stuffy, old president\” of Georgia Military College, but the community and students on campus will have an opportunity to see him in a different light. Peter and his wife Kathy are rehearsing for the Milledgeville Players\’ upcoming production of the classic musical \”Fiddler on the Roof.\” It requires them to devote six days a week and several hours a day for one month to rehearsals for music, dance and acting.

\”If he is going to do this and devote his time, I should be a part of it,\” Kathy said.

She said she was inspired by Peter\’s first theatrical role as Emile de Becque in \”South Pacific.\” She said she couldn\’t pass up the opportunity to take part in her first show.

\”I was willing to do any part, (work) backstage, front stage, whatever,\” she said.

Kathy plays the role of Yente, a busybody in the town. Known as the town gossip, Yente is a matchmaker. Her primary concerns are observing younger people and determining which ones would make the best couple.

\”I would consider myself qualified for this character,\” Kathy said. \”She is a little bizarre. I feel as Yente, it\’s taking a little more of a study, but I\’m enjoying it. I see these young people working hard, and I want to be the best I can be at it,\” Kathy said.

She added she learned from another performer how her character was more meaningful than she initially perceived.

Peter\’s character, Lazar Wolf, is also looking for love. Lazar Wolf\’s wife recently passed away, leaving him searching for another wife. He has his eyes set on a much younger woman in town.

Peter cracked a smile when asked about his character. It portrays him in a much different light, but he said that is what makes theater fun – stepping away from yourself and portraying someone else.

\”It\’s completely out-of-character for a stuffy, old president of the college to be a person who has his eye on a very young girl. There are only three older characters in the play. So, I think it\’s important for these younger people to see a side of us they wouldn\’t have imagined,\” he said.

Peter said \”Fiddler on the Roof\” provides a wide array of personalities each audience member can identify with. It also brings to life unique customs and ways of life not typically seen today.

\”It show the customs of a people that many of us are not very familiar with and how important to many people the idea of tradition is,\” he said.

\”Fiddler on the Roof\” also demonstrates positives and negatives for adhering to tradition. In this musical, Peter said, \”In order to resolve conflicts, you must break away from (certain) traditions.\”

Like many theatrical productions, there are themes that are familiar to everyone.

\”It\’s a very human play. Everyone sees something of himself or herself through the characters and theme of the play,\” Peter said.

Peter and Kathy said they have enjoyed watching the dynamic talents the younger actors display. It has brought them \”excitement and joy\” watching them.

\”It\’s a revelation to watch them,\” Peter said. \”Sometimes you think because we have enough age on us, we have experienced so much, that maybe there isn\’t so much we can experience anymore. Everytime I feel that, I\’m proved wrong when I watch these young people. It\’s wonderful

This is one stage Kathy and Peter are performing on. However, Peter stressed there are many other stages available for people in this community. Both said their rehearsing, learning and interacting with others and trying something new have served as wonderful experiences.

\”I think it\’s important for the older people in the community to be involved in the community,\” Peter said. \”Particularly, with my position at Georgia Military College, I think it\’s important for young people to see that the people responsible for their education are involved in the community in many different ways and attempt to make life better in the community. That\’s the way young people grow is by watching others and seeing what they do and don\’t do,\” Peter said.

Philip Gaffney can be reached at (478) 453-1451 or by e-mail at newsroom@union-recorder.com