It is hard to believe that it has already been 11 years since the Hartford Players lost one of their own – Jesse Blodgett – to a terrible act of violence.  She portrayed the fiddler at the beginning of our production of “Fiddler On The Roof”, and the beauty of her memory lives on in each of us who were blessed to share that stage with her.

This year, the LOVE>hate Project – which was founded in her memory and in her honor – is holding an event which will include a luminary walk commemorating the candle-lit procession that was held that summer.  They have asked us to again perform what we sang that night as the walk paused at the Schauer Center to remember her love of the arts.

 

We are reaching out to the Fiddler cast and band, the people who performed that night in 2013, to join us again.  We also invite all members of the Hartford Players to join us in song.  Members who have participated in our pit orchestras are also very welcome. We will have a rehearsal inside the Schauer two hours before the presentation, beginning at 5 PM, and then go on to set up outside and await the procession.  The procession will begin at West Side Park at 7 PM, and will come to us at the Schauer.  Those who are interested will be provided with music and a recording of our original performance so they can prepare in advance.  Music will also be available the evening of the performance.

 

Please make the time to join us for this special and important event.  Anything that we can do to honor Jesse and to help make something good come out of that tragic summer will be a special gift to the future.

 

                – Jerry Becker, Hartford Players President