Theater News

Joel Grey-Directed Fiddler on the Roof Opens Off-Broadway

Jackie Hoffman and Steven Skybell star in the Yiddish-language production.

The company of National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene celebrate opening night of the  US premiere of the Yiddish-language Fiddler on the Roof, directed by Joel Grey.
The company of National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene celebrate opening night of the US premiere of the Yiddish-language Fiddler on the Roof, directed by Joel Grey.
(© Tricia Baron)

National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene celebrated opening night of the US premiere of the Yiddish-language version of Fiddler on the Roof, directed by Joel Grey, recently extended through September 2. Check out photos from the red carpet in the gallery below.

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 Yiddish translation was crafted by Israeli actor-director Shraga Friedman in 1965 and made its world premiere in Israel more than 50 years ago.

Steven Skybell leads the cast as Tevye alongside Jackie Hoffman as Yente and Mary Illes as Golde. They are joined by Rachel Zatcoff as Tsaytl, Stephanie Lynne Mason as Hodel, Rosie Jo Neddy as Chava, Ben Liebert as Motel, Cameron Johnson as Fyedka, Daniel Kahn as Perchik, Bruce Sabath as Leyzer-Volf, Jodi Snyder as Fruma-Sarah, Kirk Geritano as Avram, Samantha Hahn as Bielke, Raquel Nobile as Shprintze, Lauren Jeanne Thomas as the Fiddler, Bobby Underwood as the Constable, Michael Yashinsky as Mordcha, Jennifer Babiak as Grandma Tsaytl, Joanne Borts as Sheyndl, Josh Dunn as Chaim, Michael Einav in the ensemble, Evan Mayer as Sasha, Nick Raynor as Yussel, Kayleen Seidl in the ensemble, Adam Shapiro as Rabbi, and James Monroe Števko as Mendel.

The production will feature scenic design by Beowulf Boritt, costume design by Ann Hould-Ward, choreography by Staś Kmieć, lighting design by Peter Kaczorowski, sound design by Dan Moses Schreier, hair and wig design Tom Watson, and musical direction and conducting by Zalmen Mlotek. The creative team also includes Merete Muenter (assistant choreographer) and Matthew (Motl) Didner (assistant director).

Fiddler on the Roof is executive-produced by Chris Massimine. Sheldon Harnick, the musical's lyricist, and Harold Prince, the musical's original director, serve as consultants on the project.