Our next production is Fiddler on the Roof, based on the short story “Tevye and His Daughters” by Sholom Aleichem, was one of the first musicals to defy Broadway’s established rules of commercial success. It dealt with serious issues such as persecution, poverty, and the struggle to hold on to one’s beliefs in the midst of a hostile and chaotic environment. Criticized at first for its “limited appeal”, Fiddler on the Roof struck such a universal chord in audiences that it became, for a time, the longest running production in the history of Broadway.
Fiddler on the Roof opened on September 22, 1964 with Zero Mostel in the leading role. It ran for 3,242 performances at the Imperial Theatre and opened the door for other musicals to deal with more serious issues. The 1971 screen version featured Norma Crane, Molly Picon, and Topol.
Director: Kath Reynolds
Musical Director: Ian White
Choreography: Lucy Freeman & Louise Hackett