The National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene celebrated the official opening of their Yiddish-language adaptation of Fiddler on the Roof July 15. Helmed by Oscar and Tony winner Joel Grey, the American premiere production began July 4 and continues its extended engagement in the Edmond J. Safra Theatre at the Museum of Jewish Heritage through September 2.
Read: WHY YOU NEED TO HEAR FIDDLER ON THE ROOF IN YIDDISH
The musical is presented in Yiddish with English and Russian supertitles. The production, which marks the first time the Yiddish version of the musical has been staged since its world premiere in Israel more than 50 years ago, stars Jackie Hoffman, Steven Skybell, and Mary Illes in the roles of Yente, Tevye, and Golde, respectively.
Read reviews for Fiddler in Yiddish below. Check back for updates.
The New York Times (Jesse Green)
The cast of NYTF's Fiddler also includes Kirk Geritano as Avram, Samantha Hahn as Bielke, Cameron Johnson as Fyedka, Daniel Kahn as Perchik, Ben Liebert as Motel, Stephanie Lynne Mason as Hodel, Rosie Jo Neddy as Chava, Raquel Nobile as Shprintze, Bruce Sabath as Lazar Wolf, Jodi Snyder as Fruma-Sarah, Lauren Jeanne Thomas as The Fiddler, Bobby Underwood as The Constable, Michael Yashinsky as Mordcha, and Rachel Zatcoff as Tzeitel.
Fiddler on the Roof is based on the Tevye the Dairyman vignettes by Sholem Aleichem and is translated into Yiddish by Shraga Friedman. Tony-winning Fiddler lyricist Sheldon Harnick and producer and director Harold Prince have been consulting with NYTF on the production.
The creative team also features Tony-winning set designer Beowulf Boritt, Tony-winning costume designer Ann Hould-Ward, choreographer Staś Kmieć, Tony-nominated sound designer Dan Moses Schreier, and Tony-winning lighting designer Peter Kaczorowski. Casting is by Jamibeth Margolis, C.S.A, and Zalmen Mlotek is NYTF's artistic director.
Completing the company of Fiddler are Jennifer Babiak, Joanne Borts, Josh Dunn, Michael Einav, Evan Mayer, Nick Raynor, Kayleen Seidl, Adam Shapiro, and James Monroe Stevko.
Fiddler on the Roof features music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Harnick, and a book by Joseph Stein.
