Fiddler on the Roof Content Guide

“Traditions, traditions. Without our traditions, our lives would be as shaky as... as... as a fiddler on the roof!”

Charleston Stage, now celebrating its 47th Season, is South Carolina’s largest professional theatre company in residence at the Historic Dock Street Theatre. Charleston Stage’s acclaimed full-scale productions light up the stage with stunning scenery, dazzling costumes, and brilliant lights! Productions feature a Professional Resident Acting Company and over 100 professional actors, singers, designers and theatre artists. All performances take place at the Historic Dock Street Theatre, “America’s First Theatre,” in the heart of downtown Charleston.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

3 Brief Synopsis and Characters

4-5 Background Info: The Creative Team

5 Fun Facts 5 Content Warning

6-7 Dock Street Theatre

8 Theatre Education

Based on Sholem Aleichem Stories by Special Permission of Arnold Perl

Book by Joseph Stein

Music by Jerry Bock

Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick

Produced on the New York Stage by Harold Prince

Original New York Stage Production Directed and Choreographed by Jerome Robbins

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com

Direction by Marybeth Clark

Music Direction by Sam Henderson

Choreography by Cara Dolan

BRIEF Synopsis

This timeless production, celebrated for its humor and warmth, is a cornerstone in the musical theatre canon. Fiddler on the Roof won nine Tony Awards, solidifying its status as a universally acclaimed musical that has resonated with audiences worldwide. The story unfolds in the small village of Anatevka where a poor milkman, Tevye, navigates the complexities of sustaining religious traditions amid drastic cultural changes and political upheaval in his vibrant Jewish community. As social norms shift and anti-Semitism escalates in Imperialist Russia, Tevye’s journey becomes a poignant exploration of love, faith, and the endurance of cultural roots. Featuring an unforgettable score that includes “Sunrise, Sunset,” “If I Were a Rich Man,” and “Matchmaker, Matchmaker,” Fiddler weaves a powerful tapestry of emotions and human experiences that continue to captivate audiences today.

CHARACTERS

TEVYE: The Dairyman

GOLDE: Tevye’s Wife

TZEITEL, HODEL, CHAVA: Tevye’s daughters

SHPRINTZE, BIELKE: Tevye’s daughters

YENTE: The Matchmaker

MOTEL: The Tailor

PERCHIK: The Student

LAZAR WOLF: The Butcher

MORDCHA: The Innkeeper

RABBI

MENDEL: The Rabbi’s son

AVRAM: The Bookseller

NACHUM: The Beggar

GRANDMA TZEITEL

FRUMA-SARAH CONSTABLE

FYEDKA

SHAINDEL: Motel’s Mother

THE FIDDLER VILLAGERS

the creative team

Sholem Aleichem (Author)

Sholem Aleichem (1859-1916) was a prolific Yiddish writer celebrated for his humorous and poignant portrayals of Jewish life in Eastern Europe. Born Solomon Naumovich Rabinovich in Ukraine, he adopted the pen name “Sholem Aleichem” (meaning “peace be with you” in Yiddish). His works, including the beloved character Tevye the Dairyman, explored themes of family, tradition, and the challenges of Jewish identity amidst modernity. Aleichem’s writing, filled with wit and insight, remains a cornerstone of Yiddish literature, cherished for its humor, humanity, and enduring cultural relevance worldwide. Sholem’s stories of Tevye and his family inspired Fiddler on the Roof.

Joseph Stein (Book)

Joseph Stein (1912-2010) was a celebrated American playwright and librettist, best known for his Tony Award-winning work on the musical Fiddler on the Roof (1964). Born in New York City, Stein’s collaboration with composer Jerry Bock and lyricist Sheldon Harnick produced one of Broadway’s longest-running hits, exploring themes of family and tradition. His talent for capturing the human experience through humor and poignant storytelling cemented his legacy in American theater. Stein passed away on October 24, 2010, leaving behind a lasting impact on musical theater history.

Sheldon Harnick (Lyrics)

Sheldon Harnick, born on April 30, 1924, in Chicago, Illinois, is a revered American lyricist and songwriter. Best known for his collaborations with composer Jerry Bock, Harnick achieved widespread acclaim for his work on the iconic musical Fiddler on the Roof (1964). His poignant lyrics and ability to capture the essence of characters and emotions have left an indelible mark on Broadway. Harnick’s contributions to musical theater extend beyond Fiddler, encompassing a diverse range of successful productions. His work continues to be celebrated for its depth, wit, and enduring cultural resonance in the world of musical theater.

FUN Facts

Jerry Bock (Music)

Jerry Bock (1928-2010) was a celebrated American composer known for his influential contributions to Broadway musicals. Born in New Haven, Connecticut, Bock’s collaboration with lyricist Sheldon Harnick produced iconic scores for Fiddler on the Roof (1964) and Fiorello! (1959), which won him a Pulitzer Prize. His melodic richness and emotional depth continue to resonate in musical theater, solidifying his legacy as a key figure in Broadway history.

• Fiddler on the Roof held the record for the longest-running Broadway musical for nearly 10 years, from 1964 until 1972, when it was surpassed by Grease.

• The musical is based on “Tevye and His Daughters” (also known as “Tevye the Dairyman”) by Sholem Aleichem, a series of stories about a Jewish milkman and his family living in a shtetl in Imperial Russia.

• It won nine Tony Awards in 1965, including Best Musical, Best Actor for Zero Mostel (Tevye), Best Actress for Maria Karnilova (Golde), and Best Director for Jerome Robbins.

• Language Adaptations: Fiddler on the Roof has been translated into numerous languages and performed worldwide, making it one of the most globally recognized musicals.

• Revivals: The musical has seen several successful revivals on Broadway, including notable performances by Alfred Molina as Tevye in 2004 and Danny Burstein in 2015.

• Iconic Songs: The score includes memorable songs such as “Tradition,” “Matchmaker, Matchmaker,” “If I Were a Rich Man,” and “Sunrise, Sunset,” which have become standards in musical theater.

CONTENT WARNING

Fiddler on the Roof addresses themes of religious persecution, poverty, and historical violence. It contains depictions of anti-Semitic attitudes and moments of emotional intensity, including scenes involving forced eviction and exile. Additionally, the musical touches upon themes of arranged marriage, generational conflict, and societal pressure, which may be sensitive or triggering for some viewers. Viewer discretion is advised.

dock

For almost 300 years audiences have delighted in performances at the Historic Dock Street Theatre which stands on the site of the very first theatre building in America which opened its doors in 1736. The current building, originally The Planter’s Hotel was built in 1803 and in 1937 was converted into the Dock Street Theatre know today. Charleston Stage presents over 150 performances at the Historic Dock Street Theatre playing to theatre goers from every state in the union and many foreign countries. The Dock Street Theatre, newly renovated in 2010, is currently owned and managed by the City of Charleston. Other performing arts groups including Spoleto Festival USA perform here annually.

On February 12, 1736 the Dock Street Theatre opened with a performance of The Recruiting Officer. Built on the corner of Church Street and Dock Street (now known as Queen Street), the Historic Dock Street Theatre was the first building in America built exclusively to be used for theatrical performances. Flora, the first opera performance in America, took place at the Historic Dock Street Theatre.

The original Dock Street Theatre was probably destroyed by the Great Fire of 1740 which destroyed many of the buildings in Charleston’s French Quarter. In 1809, the Planter’s Hotel was built on this site and in 1835 the wrought iron balcony and sandstone columns of the Church Street facade were added. A number of notable persons worked and patronized the Planter’s Hotel including the noted 19th Century actor Junius Brutus Booth (father of Edwin and John Wilkes Booth). Robert Smalls, an African-American Civil War hero, who stole a steamboat in the harbor and sailed it out past the Confederate-held Ft. Sumter and turned it over to the blockading Union Fleet, served as a waiter in the hotel’s dining room prior to the war. Charleston’s famed Planter’s Punch was first introduced here.

After the Civil War, the Planter’s Hotel fell into disrepair and was slated for demolition. But in 1935, after Milton Pearlstine made the property available to the City of Charleston and at the urging of Mayor Burnet Maybank and other notable citizens, the original building became a Depression Era WPA (Works Progress Administration) project. At that time, the present theatre was constructed within the shell of the

Planter’s Hotel. The hotel’s grand foyer became the grand foyer of the theatre and the hotel’s dining room now serves as the box office lobby. The beautiful woodwork and mantels of the second floor drawing room were salvaged from the Radcliffe-King Mansion (circa 1799) which stood at the corner of George and Meeting Streets and was razed to build the College of Charleston gymnasium, another WPA project. Modeled on eighteenth century London playhouses by Charleston architect Albert Simons, the present Dock Street Theatre’s new stage house and auditorium were built in the hotel’s courtyard. The local carpenters who were put to work as a part of this Depression era relief effort utilized locally grown and milled native black cypress for the beautiful warm wooden interior. Following this $350,000 renovation, The Historic Dock Street Theatre’s second grand opening took place on November 26, 1937. Notables in the audience included author DuBose Heyward (Porgy) who was named writer-inresidence.

The Historic Dock Street Theatre reopened for the third time on March 18, 2010 after a three year, $19 million dollar renovation by the City of Charleston. This extensive fullscale renovation brought the historic theatre into the 21st century with state-of-theart lighting and sound, modern heating and air conditioning, and new restrooms and seating. In addition, the theatre was made seismically secure and fully handicapped accessible. Extensive sound-proofing was added to ensure that outside noises no longer intruded on performances inside.

Theatre Education

Acting Classes

200+ Students Attend Acting Classes

After School

Charleston Stage’s TheatreSchool offers classes year round for students from Preschool through 8th Grade at Charleston Stage’s West Ashley Theatre Center. Acting classes for students of all ages and abilities are taught by members of Charleston Stage’s Professional Resident Acting Company. Classes range from beginning classes to performance workshops and performance troupes. We are now offering full-year registration and enrollment is accepted on a rolling basis. Tuition scholarships are available for need-based students. Register online today at CharlestonStage.com/education!

ArtReach In-School Workshops

Bringing Professional Actors Into the Classroom

Charleston Stage’s Professional Resident Actors provide dynamic workshops in area schools throughout the Lowcountry. Workshops use theatrical skills to teach academic subjects and can be combined with a school matinee performance experience. For information on booking ArtReach workshops, contact Rylee Coppel, Director of Education and Engagement, at rcoppel@charlestonstage.com or (843) 225-3900.

TheatreWings High School Apprenticeships

A Tuition-Free Apprentice Program For Teens

The TheatreWings High School Apprentice Program is designed to allow talented young people the opportunity to work directly with theatre professionals and gain first-hand experience in professional theatrical production. Students explore stage management, lighting and sound, as well as set, prop, and costume design and construction. Designed for highly dedicated students, TheatreWings requires more than 100+ hours of apprenticeship each season. For more information, email TheatreWings Co-Coordinators Ravyn Meador or Caleb Garner at wings@charlestonstage.com.

For more information on our Education programs, call the Education Office at (843) 225-3900 or visit CharlestonStage.com/education.