The American premiere of the Yiddish-language adaptation of Fiddler on the Roof, an all-new production from National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene, opens Off-Broadway July 15. Helmed by Oscar and Tony winner Joel Grey, the production began performances July 4 in the Edmond J. Safra Theatre at the Museum of Jewish Heritage and has been extended through September 2.
Read: WHY YOU NEED TO HEAR FIDDLER ON THE ROOF IN YIDDISH
Fiddler 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.
The cast of 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 in Yiddish is based on the Tevye the Dairyman vignettes by Sholem Aleichem and is translated 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 cast 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 has music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Harnick, and a book by Joseph Stein.
