Fiddler on the Roof Jr
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
This special adaptation of the nine-time Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, Fiddler on the Roof JR. follows Tevye the milkman as he tries to protect his daughters and his way of life from a changing world.
Created by Broadway legends Jerome Robbins, Harold Prince, Jerry Bock, Sheldon Harnick and Joseph Stein, Fiddler on the Roof JR. tackles the universal theme of tradition in ways that reach across barriers of race, class, nationality and religion
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Set in the little village of Anatevka, the story centers on Tevye, a poor dairyman, and his five daughters. With the help of a colorful and tight-knit Jewish community, Tevye tries to marry off his daughters and instill in them a sense of tradition in the face of growing anti-Semitism in Czarist Russia.
Fiddler on the Roof JR. is a classic piece that keeps being told by generations. A challenge in its acting, singing and dance this musical is a fantastic addition in young performers repertoire.
Character List
Tevye - Tevye is the heart and conscience of Fiddler on the Roof JR. Tevye should be able to show the wide range of conflict, joy and pain that this character feels throughout the story.
Golde - Golde is the backbone of the family. She has a rather gruff exterior, but in her heart is sheer dedication to her family. She runs the household, and must be able to keep Tevye’s more emotional side in check.
Tzeitel - Tzeitel is the oldest daughter of Tevye and Golde. She is the first to challenge the traditions of Anatevka by pleading with her faher to let her marry Motel the tailor, to whom she has pledged her love. She gets married in the story.
Hodel - Hodel is a strong, independent middle child. She is outspoken but respectful. She has her eye on the Rabbi’s son at the outset of the story, but she is charmed by the revolutionary Perchick the moment she meets him, though she may not show it right away. Her dedication and love is real as she follows him to Siberia.
Chava - Chava is the scholarly daughter who loves to read. Her love the Russian, Fyedka, tests her father to the very limit and provides the largest conflict in the story.
Shprintze and Bielke - Shprintze and Bielke are the youngest daughters of Tevye and Golde.
Motel - Motel is the poor, young tailor who is charmed with Tzeitel.
Perchik - Perchik is a young student who brings with him radical new ideas that challenge the traditions of the community. Perchik should be able to hold his own with Tevye. He is a strong character, and clashes with Tevye idealistically, but is likable, charming and ultimately becomes a loyal family member.
Lazar Wolf - Lazar Wolf is a butcher, the town’s wealthiest citizen and is the same age as, if not older, than, Tevye.
Fiddler - The Fiddler must be an actor who can hold the attention of an entire audience with stylized movement, facial expression and dance.
Yente - Yente is the middle-aged widow who matches up the young people of the village in hopes that they will marry. She is a village busybody and knows all the news of the town.
Constable - The constable is the local sheriff representing the Russian government. The constable is a complex character, caught between his good nature towards the people of Anatevka and his duty to the non-Jewish Russian government.
Fyedka - Fyedka is a strong, young, Russian soldier who falls in love with Chava.
Featured Ensemble - Mordcha, Yussel, Avram, the Rabbi and Mendel are smaller roles that add much to the richness of the community portrayed in Fiddler on the Roof JR. Mordcha is a friendly, interesting innkeeper. Yussel is a hatter. Avram is a bookseller. Mendel is the Rabbi’s son. The Rabbi is the spiritual center of the community and the actor should be able to play an old man onstage. He should have a comic feel, although this is a serious role.
Villagers - The Villagers will portray the people of the village as Papas, Mamas, Sons or Daughters. Also included in this group are the Guests, Inn Patrons, Motel’s Parents and Motel’s Relations.
Ensemble - The First Man, Second Man, Another Man, First Woman, Second Woman and Third Woman all have spoken lines and are great featured roles.
Russian Soldiers - The Russian Soldiers are under the command of the Constable.