Fierstein to Replace Molina as Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof

It has been confirmed that Harvey Fierstein, who most recently appeared on Broadway in the hit musical Hairpsray, will be taking over the role of the philosophizing milkman Tevye in the current revival of Fiddler on the Roof in January as a replacement for Alfred Molina. A production spokesman could not confirm the exact date on which Fierstein will begin performances.

Directed by David Leveaux, this production of the classic Jerry Bock-Sheldon Harnick-Joseph Stein musical opened at the Minskoff Theatre in February to mixed reviews. Also featured in the cast are Randy Graff as Golde, Nancy Opel as Yente, Sally Murphy as Tzeitel, and John Cariani as Motel.

Fierstein made his Broadway debut in 1982, writing and starring in Torch Song Trilogy and receiving Tony Awards for both efforts. Before his Tony-winning turn as Edna Turnblad in Hairspray, he won a Tony for writing the libretto for the Jerry Herman-scored musical La Cage aux Folles, a Broadway revival of which is set to open next month.