Music major extends acting roots in winter musical

By RACHEL KRAMER

Julie Russo has been spending a lot of time preparing for opening night for “Fiddler on the Roof,” in which she will play Hodel, the second daughter.

Performing and music are not, however, new for Russo.

Russo, a third-year music major, grew up with music.

“My mom sang,” Russo said. “She was a theater major in school. As I was growing up, I sang with her. My mom, my brother Anthony, my sister Gina and I were always singing.”

Later, her brother and sister began participating in musicals and concert choir, inspiring Russo. She began performing at an early age, including a performance in a school production of “Brigadoon” in fourth grade.

Russo did performances every year in high school. A student at Shelton High School in Shelton, Wash. she performed in a production of ‘The Secret Garden’ as Martha, as well as Chava in “Fiddler on the Roof.” She was also part of the jazz choir and concert choir.

When Russo graduated in 2003, she looked to MHCC because of Genesis, the MHCC vocal jazz ensemble. “These people are my best friends,” she said. “We hang out outside of class and go on trips a lot.”

The music group, which meets two hours a day, five days a week, takes up most of Russo’s time.

The rest of her time is spent on “Fiddler on the Roof.”

“It is cool to be playing a different daughter,” Russo said.

Her earlier experience with the play, according to Russo, has allowed her to focus more on her character, since she already knows the plot. This has allowed her to create more character development.

“This is the role I wanted in high school,” she said.

Russo has enjoyed working with her co-stars, including her Genesis director, Dave Barduhn, who plays Tevye.

“It is interesting seeing him outside the role of director,” she said. “It is great working with him as a fellow actor. I have helped him memorize lines and have seen him outside his comfort zone. He is doing a really great job.”

She has also have a great time working with Jacob Luchini, who plays Perchik, Hodel’s love interest. “I had a lot of fun getting to know him,” she said. “We have a lot of big scenes together. It has been a lot of fun.”

According to Russo, one of her favorite parts of working on the musical is jumping.
“I have a scene where I have to jump into Perchik’s arms and get spun around, so I run around jumping all the time, ” she said.

Russo has also performed in MHCC’s productions “Little Shop of Horrors,” as Chiffon, and “Return to the Forbidden Planet” as a do-wop girl.

Russo is also looking ahead. She said, this is most likely her final performance at MHCC. She is looking to attend Central Washington University.

“They have a great music education program,” she said. “My high school director went back there to get his masters.”

Russo hopes to one day have a job in music education.

“I would love to be a high school director,” Russo said. “I would still want to perform, but being an educator will help me grow.”