What is your Fiddler story?
As opening night of Fiddler on the Roof approaches, we’re celebrating the memories that have made this production unforgettable. For generations, Fiddler has stirred laughter, tears, and reflection—and we wanted to hear what it has meant to you. We asked patrons to share their personal memories of Fiddler on the Roof, read on to relive the magic through the eyes of our community
Fiddler on the Roof was my mother’s favorite musical. Every Saturday she would play the album throughout the house and clean singing along with the album. To this day, my brothers and I can sing all the songs without missing a beat. Every time I see Fiddler on the Roof or hear the music, I think of my mother.
- Melissa Helmer
I’ve been alive for a bit. My 1st experience with Fiddler on the Roof was the movie in the theater. It was a class field trip more than once. Those were the days when movie favorites would make 2 or more “circuits”. My school went a couple of years. A MAZ ING.
-Mp
I walked down the aisle at my wedding to ‘One Hand, One Heart,’ and my father and I danced to ‘Sunrise, Sunset.’ This was over 50 years ago, and I’ve loved the music ever since.
-Jacqui
Fond memories of performing the show—I played Tzeitel all summer at Bucks County Playhouse and Falmouth Playhouse in the early ‘80s.
-Teresa B
I first saw Fiddler on the Roof at Cincinnati's Schubert Theater when I was a college freshman. A friend got me tickets for my birthday, and a group of us went together. We loved it, and I remember we all came out dancing with our arms in the air—just like in the show!
-Elaine Billmire
When it was announced my high school drama club would be putting on Fiddler on the Roof, I sooooo wanted the role of Hodel so that I could sing the pretty song— “Far From the Home I Love.” I practiced and practiced for the audition.
When the cast was posted, I was thrilled to get the role of Tzeitel, the oldest sister—but sad I wouldn’t get to sing the pretty song. I embraced the role, sang “Matchmaker,” and enjoyed getting a wedding scene with my crush at the time, who played Motel. Years later, I asked our director, Charly Stewart, why he didn’t cast me in the role I requested (though the student who played the role did a beautiful job). Charly responded, “Because NO ONE could play YOUR older sister.” We had a good laugh. I guess I did have a strong, take-charge personality even then. I have such great memories from doing that wonderful show with classmates I still think of fondly. A cast is a family. Doing theater at that formative time in my life was so uplifting in this journey we call life. All the best with your production!!
-Julie O’Neill
I performed with the National Touring Company of Fiddler on the Roof with opera star Robert Merrill as a dancer….not having the bottle fall during the performance was always a moment when I looked up to thank God—I made it again without the sound of the bottle breaking on the stage.
-Michael Rozow