Sunrise, sunset: 'Fiddler' a family affair at Jacksonville's Alhambra theatre

Tom Szaroleta, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union
·2 min read

Tod Booth has been in dozens of shows at Jacksonville's Alhambra Theatre & Dining, directed dozens more. But he's done something for the upcoming production of "Fiddler on the Roof" that's new for him.

"I never grew a beard before," Booth said this week during rehearsals for the show, which runs through Sept. 17. "It took me six months."

Booth will play Tevye and his wife, Lisa Valdini Booth, will play his sharp-tongued wife, Golde. Their daughter, Jessica Booth, is directing the play.

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It's the first time in 20 years that "Fiddler" has appeared on the Alhambra stage. Theaters aren't allowed to do the show if it's on Broadway or on a national tour, and this is the first time Alhambra has gotten the rights to "Fiddler" since Booth sold the Beach Boulevard dinner theater to Craig Smith in 2009. The Alhambra couldn't even announce that they were doing "Fiddler" until April.

The cast, about 20 strong, has been rehearsing at the Florida Ballet for about a week while "Beauty and the Beast" played at the Alhambra. That show closed Sunday and, by Monday afternoon, the "Fiddler" set was in place and the actors were working on choreography and lighting.

Tod Booth is no stranger to the show, even if it's been years since he's done it. "I've probably done this show 20 times as a producer or director," he said.

Director Jessica Booth, left, is shown with her parents, Lisa Valdiani Booth and Tod Booth, backstage before the start of Wednesday evening's dress rehearsal of "Fiddler on the Roof." Tod Booth and Lisa Valdiani Booth play the musical's lead roles of Tevye and Golde.
Director Jessica Booth, left, is shown with her parents, Lisa Valdiani Booth and Tod Booth, backstage before the start of Wednesday evening's dress rehearsal of "Fiddler on the Roof." Tod Booth and Lisa Valdiani Booth play the musical's lead roles of Tevye and Golde.

This time around, it's his daughter Jessica who is directing the show. She grew up on the Alhambra stage and is now a professional actor and director, splitting time between Charlotte and New York. She directed her parents in "Love Letters" at the Alhambra in 2020 and jumped at the chance to do it again.

"The Alhambra's home," she said. "I really look forward to this time."

She'll stick around for opening night but, once the show is up and running, her work is done and she'll head back to North Carolina to start working on her next production. It's up to the cast and the stage manager to keep the show on track from now on.

Lisa Valdiani Booth and her husband, Tod Booth, appear on stage as husband and wife Tevye and Golde during a scene from "Fiddler on the Roof" during Wednesday evening's dress rehearsal.
Lisa Valdiani Booth and her husband, Tod Booth, appear on stage as husband and wife Tevye and Golde during a scene from "Fiddler on the Roof" during Wednesday evening's dress rehearsal.

The show is based in a Jewish community, but its themes and messages are universal. It's about tradition and family, Tod Booth said, making it the perfect vehicle for him, his wife and his daughter. "I really do appreciate doing the classics," he said.

He's spent decades on the stage, as an actor and director. "At my age, this might be my last one," he said.

Fat chance, his daughter said. "He's been saying that since 'Dirty Rotten Scoundrels,'" she said.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Fiddler on the Roof opening at Jacksonville's Alhambra dinner theater