Barduhn returns to stage as Tevye

By NICOLE DONNER

Even with 30 years separating him from his last theater department, nerves aren’t getting in the way of Dave Barduhn’s performance of Tevye in the winter musical, “Fiddler on the Roof.”

All though he is a well-known music instructor at MHCC, would know of Barduhn’s familiarity with the stage. His last role was as Baritole in the play “Shuffle the Firebugs.”

“I did a variety of acting roles through-out high school and that sort of thing. I stuck with doing some theater but mostly as a music director or vocal coach,” said Barduhn.

Performing in his native Seattle’s opera association at a young age, Barduhn has made a home for himself on the stage whether it’s for choir or acting. He actively pursued music through out college until he earned his masters degree at Central Washington University in 1981 and joined the faculty at MHCC in 1988.

“This is like coming home. I had some pretty cool gigs but when this job opened and one of my mentors passed away, I replaced him,” said Barduhn. “It was kind of cool because at the time it was the variety of doing vocal music, instrumental music (which he doesn’t do now), as well as getting back into theater as well.”

Barduhn and Rick Zimmer, the theater instructor and director, have worked on several shows together, including last year’s “Little Shop of Horrors.”

Zimmer approached Barduhn last year about performing as Tevye. Barduhn said his choice to take the role wasn’t a difficult one to make.

“He talked me into it but it wasn’t that tough of a sell. I’m a ham and the opportunity to get back on stage is kind of a desirable one,” said Barduhn. “I thought it’s something I could do once every 30 years.”

While teaching several classes as well as directing the vocal jazz ensemble, Genesis, Barduhn continued his part in this winter’s production by maintaining his role as vocal director on the production crew. Getting into the role of Tevye, a Jewish man in his early 40s, proved more of a challenge.

Normally with white hair and a small beard, Barduhn dyed his hair dark brown at the beginning of the year and grew out his beard, and colored it.

“In that aspect, I can’t wait for it to be over. I’ll shave it down where I had it before and let my hair go back to its wonderful white color.”

Getting his voice “back into shape” and remaining strong after long rehearsals has been one of Barduhn’s challenges. Practicing and doing a “vocal work-out” has helped Barduhn’s voice remain strong through rehearsal, which not only includes singing, but dancing and line memorization. This is in addition to his duties as music director to help other cast members with their singing.

The transition from jazz music director to theater actor has been a smooth one for Barduhn.

“Overall, it’s still about entertaining an audience, it’s about communication, it’s still about telling stories,” said Barduhn. “That’s not different.”