National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene to Present Yiddish Fiddler on the Roof

During the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene's recent winter gala honoring Jerry Zaks, Folksbiene C.E.O. Christopher Massimine announced that it will present the American premiere of Shraga Friedman's Yiddish-language adaptation of the Jerry Bock-Sheldon Harnick-Joseph Stein musical Fiddler on the Roof in July 2018 in the Edmond J. Safra Theatre at the Museum of Jewish Heritage.

Featuring a book by Joseph Stein and a score by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick, Fiddler on the Roof is inspired by Sholem Alecheim's stories of the milkman Tevye, who tries to hold on to "tradition" as the world around him and his family in the little village of Anatevka changes.

"The National Yiddish Theatre's version of the production will be presented in the context of a historical retrospective hypothetically introducing the idea in that Sholem Aleichem has been present at the conception of the adaptation of his work for the musical stage," Mr. Massimine said. "The idea we are putting forth would be an accurate re-creation of how this musical might look in its native Yiddish tongue."

Folksbiene will consult with Harnick about the show's development, and Zaks will serve as artistic consultant on the production. The Jerome Robbins Foundation will also be consulted on the production's choreography.