STAGE

Theatergoers who want to observe “Tradition,” the opening number of “Fiddler on the Roof,” at the Music Center should allow a few extra minutes to get to their seats. At least 200 patrons were left waiting in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion lobby Wednesday night when the curtain went up precisely at 8 p.m. They were ushered to their seats after “Tradition” had been performed. Sandra Kimberling, Music Center Operating Co. president, had no explanation for the unusually large number of latecomers Wednesday, but she noted that the show must begin promptly in order to avoid union charges for overtime, which begin after three hours. The show is timed to end at 10:59 p.m., one minute shy of the allotted three hours. “Fiddler” will be at the Music Center through Sunday, then moves to the Orange County Performing Arts Center for a week.