James Comrie, who will play the lead role in Mecca Productions’ upcoming Fiddler on the Roof, says his involvement in local theatre is enough to fulfill his performance needs.

Just turned 50 last week, the Minnedosa veterinarian with the smoothy-silk deep baritone voice says he has “no idea how far I might be able to go (as a singer) with training. There’s some desire there, but what I’m doing now with local theatre satisfies my needs.”

Comrie and a cast of more than 80 others will be on stage Nov. 7-10 for six shows under the direction of Lisa Vasconcelos at the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium.

This will be Comrie’s fifth show under Vasconcelos, having previously played major roles in Annie, Sound of Music, The Music Man and Footloose (the first time it was performed a number of years ago).

He is familiar with Fiddler on the Roof, having played the lead role about 10 years ago when it was performed by the Strathclair Drama Club, with which he still has an association. The story is based in Tsarist Russia in 1905 and features Tevye, who has five daughters. It tells the tale of Tevye’s attempts to maintain his family and religious traditions while trying to ward off outside influences.

“I guess I have more experience than I did 10 years ago,” he said. “My confidence level is higher. I really like the role. It’s challenging and as big a role as you’ll find.”

Comrie says the “broad range of characterization” offered by the role of Tevye is what makes him so enthusiastic about playing the part. “There’s a real depth to the story; a truth to the story. Lisa has a real desire to present it somewhat differently (than it was presented in Strathclair). She’s given it a fresh perspective, all the while maintaining the truth of the story.”

Singing is in Comrie’s genes. “My dad did a lot of singing,” he said. “That’s really where I got my start.” Besides spending approximately 10 hours a week since Sept. 1 rehearsing for Fiddler, Comrie also sings with the Strathclair Theatre Chorus, church choirs (although not at the present time) and two Minnedosa-based quartets — The Cameron Connection and The Profession Four. “No matter what, you find time to do what you like to do,” said Comrie.

Vasconcelos is thrilled to have Comrie in the lead role. “He’s probably the most talented vocalist I’ve heard,” she said.

Being on stage brings Comrie “immense joy,” he said. “When you can provide that type of pleasure to an audience, it gives you immense rewards.”

While he has never been to a Broadway show in New York, he has seen a number of professional companies perform in Toronto. His favourite? Les Miserables.

The show will hit the stage on the evenings of Nov. 5-6-7 and there will be matinees on Nov. 7-8. As well, the cast will perform for a school audience on Nov. 5.

“The most gruelling will be the days when we do it twice,” said Comrie, who said he does nothing in particular to protect his voice. “About the only thing I do is worry about picking up a cold virus.”