Not Every Woman Is a Yente: Nancy Opel Replaces Barbara Barrie in Fiddler on the Roof

It has just been announced that Nancy Opel, a 2002 Tony Award nominee for Urinetown, is taking over the role of Yente the Matchmaker in the new Broadway production of Fiddler on the Roof as of Tuesday, February 17. Opel replaces Barbara Barrie, who is leaving the production due to creative differences

Based on the stories of Sholom Aleichem, Fiddler on the Roof has a score that includes such songs as “If I Were A Rich Man” and “Sunrise, Sunset.” The original Broadway production, directed and choreographed by the legendary Jerome Robbins, opened in 1964 and ran for 3,242 performances; it starred Zero Mostel as Tevye and featured Maria Karnilova, Austin Pendleton, Bert Convy, Julia Migenes, and Beatrice Arthur as Yente.

The show has music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, and a book by Joseph Stein. Directed by David Leveaux, the new Broadway production stars Alfred Molina as Tevye and Randy Graff as Golde. Now in previews at the Minskoff Theatre, Fiddler is set to open on Thursday, February 26.