Joseph Stein | Broadway musical | large 20 plus

In the little village of Anatevka, Tevye, a poor dairyman, tries to instill in his five daughters the traditions of his tight-knit Jewish community in the face of changing social mores and the growing anti-Semitism of Czarist Russia.

Rich in historical and ethnic detail, “Fiddler On The Roof” has touched audiences around the world with its humor, warmth and honesty. It's universal theme of tradition cuts across barriers of race, class, nationality and religion, leaving audiences crying tears of laughter, joy and sadness.

The show features a star turn in Tevye, among the most memorable roles in musical theatre. Original director/choreographer Jerome Robbins' staging is legendary, and available from MTI in a comprehensive choreographic guide. Its celebrated score by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick, features songs loved the world over: "Sunrise, Sunset," "If I Were A Rich Man" and "Matchmaker," to name a few. “Fiddler On The Roof” is simply Broadway at its very best.

Opened 9/22/1964 Ran for 3242 performances.

One of the great works of American musical theatre. It is darling, touching, beautiful, warm, funny and inspiring. It is a work of art."
- Daily News
"Filled with laughter and tenderness. It catches the essence of a moment in history with sentiment and radiance. An exceptional accomplishment."
- The New York Times
"One of the great musical comedies of our era."
- Newsweek Magazine
"One of the unforgettable stage musical creations of modern Broadway history." - Variety
"... A remarkable musical... it always works, perhaps because it evokes haunting, half-conscious memories of a world that still lingers deep inside us... after 17 years, Fiddler still has magic." - Women's Wear Daily
"This spellbinding re-creation of the wonderful world of Sholom Aleichem... is a joyouus affirmation that America is the world capital of musical comedy... Seldom has any musical blended so magically music, dance, mummery and literature..."
- Cue
"Joseph Stein and collaborators have... arrived at a remarkably effective mixture that thoroughly entertains without ever losing a sense of connection with more painful realities that underlie its humor, its beauty, its ritual celebrations."
- Saturday Review

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Fiddler on the Roof is set in the small Jewish village of Anatevka, Russia, in 1905 and is concerned primarily with the efforts of Tevye, a dairyman, his wife, Golde, and their five daughers to cope with their harsh existence under Tsarist rule.

During the Prologue (Tradition"), Tevye explains the role of God's law in providing balance in the villagers' lives. He describes the inner circle of the community and the larger circle which includes the constable, the priest, and countless other authority figures. He explains, "We don't bother them and so far, they don't bother us." He ends by insisting that without their traditions, he and the other villagers would find their lives "as shaky as a fiddler on the roof."

Tevye's daughters wonder if the matchmaker will ever find them the men of their dreams ("Matchmaker"). The matchmaker, Yente, tells Golde that she has selected the butcher Lazar Wolfe as a match for Tzeitel.

Tevye reflects on how much he wishes he had a small fortune ("If I Were a Rich Man"). A group of villagers, including an outsider, Perchik, approach him with news of a violent pogrom in a nearby village. Tevye invites Perchik, a young revolutionary student, to come to his home for Sabbath dinner and arranges for him to instruct his daughters.

Motel, the tailor attempts to ask Tevye for Tzeitel's hand, but gets tongue-tied. The family and their guests welcome the Sabbath ("Sabbath Prayer").

Tevye goes to meet Lazar Wolfe, the butcher, and agrees to the match with Tzeitel. A boisterous celebration ensues involving the villagers and the Russians who also congregate in the tavern ("L'Chaim").

As Tevye staggers home, he meets the Constable, who warns him that a demonstration is going to be planned against the Jews of Anatevka. In his inebriation, Tevye conjures The Fiddler, who plays his violin as Tevye dances his way home.

Tevye appears and tells Tzeitel about her engagement to Lazar Wolfe. Golde rejoices, but after she leaves, Motel tells Tevye that he and Tzeitel gave each other a pledge to marry. After a struggle with himself, Tevye agrees to their marriage. He leaves and Motel and Tzeitel rejoice ("Miracle of Miracles").

Tevye decides to manufacture a wild nightmare ("The Dream") to convince Golde that the match with Lazar will result in Tzeitel's death at the hands of the butcher's first wife, Fruma-Sarah. Golde is so horrified that she insists on a marriage between Tzeitel and Motel.

The villagers are gossiping in the street about the mix-up in Tzeitel's wedding plans. As Chava enters Motel's tailor shop, a group of Russians on the street taunt her. Fyedka, a Russian youth, insists that they stop. After they leave, Fyedka follows Chava into the shop. He tries to speak with her, but leaves quickly when Motel enters. Motel places his wedding hat on his head.

The musicians lead us to the wedding. The company sings ("Sunrise, Sunset") as the traditional Jewish ceremony takes place. To the villagers' dismay, Perchik asks Hodel to dance with him and she accepts, performing the forbidden act of dancing with a man. Everyone else follows suit. As the dance reaches a wild high point, the Constable and his men enter. They destroy everything in sight. Perchik grapples with a Russian and is hit with a club. The constable bows to Tevye and says " I am genuinely sorry. You understand?" Tevye replies with mock courtesy, "Of course." The family begins to clean up after the destruction.

During the Prologue, Tevye chats with God about recent events. Perchik tells Hodel that he is leaving to work for justice in Kiev. He proposes to her and she accepts ("Now I Have Everything"). He promises to send for her as soon as he can. Tevye approves in spite of his misgivings. After they leave, he asks Golde if she thinks their own arranged marriage has somehow also turned into a romance ("Do You Love Me?").

On a village street, Yente tells Tzeitel she has seen Chava with Fyedka. The news Yente has gleaned from a letter from Perchik becomes gossip for the villagers, who turn it into a song that totally distorts the truth ("The Rumor").

Tevye takes Hodel to the railroad station. She is going to Siberia where Perchik has been sent after his arrest ("Far From the Home I Love").

The villagers are once again gossiping about a new arrival at Motel and Tzeitel's.

At Motel's shop, we learn that the new arrival is a sewing machine. Fyedka and Chava speak outside the shop. She promises to speak to Tevye about their love for each other. Tevye appears and Chava tries to talk to him about Fyedka. Tevye refuses to listen to her and forbids her to ever to speak to him about Fyedka again.

Tevye returns home to learn from Golde that Chava and Fydeka have been married by the priest. Tevye says that Chava is dead to them. He sings of his love for Chava ("Little Bird"). When Chava appears to ask his acceptance, he cannot allow himself to answer her plea. Chava exits as unseen voices sing ("Tradition").

Yente is trying to fix up Tevye's remaining daughters with two boys as future husbands. The Constable brings the news that everyone in the town has to sell their houses and household goods and leave Anatevka in three days. As the villagers think of their future, they sing fondly of the village they are leaving ("Anatevka").

The family is packing the wagon to leave. Tzeitel and Motel are staying in Warsaw until they have enough money to go to America. Hodel and Perchik are still in Siberia. Chava appears with Fyedka. Tevye refuses to acknowledge her. Chava explains that they are also leaving because they cannot stay among people who can do such things to others. They are going to Cracow. Tzeitel says goodbye to them and Tevye prompts Tzeitel to add, "God be with you!" Chava promises Golde she will write to her in America. Chava and Fyedka leave. Final goodbyes are said and Tevye begins pulling the wagon. Other villagers join the circle, including The Fiddler. Tevye beckons to the The Fiddler to follow him. The Fiddler tucks his fiddle under his arm and follows the group upstage as the curtain falls.

Tradition
Matchmaker
If I Were a Rich Man
Sabbath Prayer
To Life
Sunrise Sunset
Wedding Dance
Do You Love Me?
Far From The Home I Love
Anatevka

Cast size:	Large (over 20), Flexible
Cast Type:	Ensemble Cast - Many featured roles
Dance requirement:	Standard (Musical Staging/Some Dance/Optional)
Character Breakdown
CHAVA	Third youngest daughter. Introspective, shy, intelligent. Good voice. Mezzo-Soprano: B flat - C flat
CONSTABLE	Local sheriff representing the anti-semitic Russian government. Strong actor. Non-singing
FYEDKA	Young Russian soldier, Chava's love interest. Strong actor. Minimal or non-singing
GOLDE	Backbone of the family. Gruff exterior, able to frighten Tevye, but softer side comes through now and then. Commanding voice. Alto/Mezzo-Soprano: G - D flat
HODEL	Middle daughter, strong, independent, outspoken. Good singer/actress. Mezzo-Soprano: B flat - D flat
LAZAR WOLFE	The butcher who is 'matched' to Tzeitel. Imposing figure (even a bit repugnant), able to sell a song. Baritone/Tenor: A - C
MORDCHA	Friendly, interesting innkeeper. Can carry a tune for group numbers.
MOTEL	The tailor, in love with Tzeitel. Ability to move well, good voice, comic timing.
PERCHIK	Young student "radical" in love with Hodel. Idealistic and opinionated, but likable and charming. Tenor: B flat - B flat
RABBI	The spiritual center of the community, usually played as "practically ancient"--with some comic effect, but is serious role. Some group singing.
RUSSIANS	The villains of the story, imposing, should move well for stage combat. May sing from offstage to support group numbers.
SHPRINTZE & BIELKE	Two youngest daughters, considerably younger than "matchmaker" three. Ability to carry a tune.
TEVYE	The heart and conscience of the show. Strong integrity and zest for life, robust. Able to show wide ranges of conflict and emotion and comfortable speaking directly to audience. Strong voice. Baritone/Tenor: A flat - D
THE FIDDLER	Silent, lead role. Ability to move and express themselves very well. Also ability to play "air violin/fiddle" a plus. Non-Singing
TZEITEL	Oldest daughter, determined to marry Motel, the tailor--not the match that has been arranged. Good voice. Mezzo-Soprano: B flat - C flat
VILLAGERS	The many faces of Anatevka, good singers who can hold harmonies, can move well. Various SATB
YENTE	The matchmaker. Ability to play mature and carry a tune for group numbers.
YUSSEL	A hatter, a craftsman. Can carry a tune for group numbers.

The following materials are provided in the Showkit™, which is offered for sale:

20 x Student Books
1 x Director's Guide
2 x Accompaniment and Vocal Guide CDs
1 x Choreographic DVD
20 x Family Matters
1 x Piano Vocal Score

A Performance Accompaniment CD is provided with the Showkit™

Logo Pack

Production Slides