Description:

Fiddler on the Roof is a musical with music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick and book by Joseph Stein. It follows the story of Tevye and his wife Golde, who attempt to maintain their Jewish religious and cultural traditions as outside influences encroach upon their family's lives. Filled with familiar tunes like "Tradition", "If I Were A Rich Man", "Matchmaker", "Sunrise Sunset", and more, you won't want to miss the opportunity to be a part of this experience! Join us in the little town of Anatevka this summer at Overshadowed!

Director: Reba Hervas
Vocal Director: Tara Kaufman
Choreographer: Rachel Higgins

Audition Dates: Thursday, May 9th, Friday May 10th
Callbacks (as needed): May 11th

Character Descriptions:

Tevye, the milkman
Gender: Male
Age: 45 to 60
Vocal range: Ab2 to F5
Tevye is a likeable, hard-working, pious man who sees the positive side of life. Strong patriarch but gentle father of 5 daughters he has raised according to the Scriptures. He is humorous and relaxed, but when pushed, can show stubbornness. Strong actor who must carry the show and have a good connection with the audience.

Golde, Tevye's wife
Gender: Female
Age: 40 to 50
Vocal range: A3 to Eb5
Golde is the real strength behind Tevye, the one who keeps the household going. She is very concerned that her daughters make good matches and have easier lives than she & Tevye have had. Must have good comedic timing.

Yente, the matchmaker
Gender: Female
Age: 45 to 65
Vocal range: F3 to F5
Yente is the middle-aged widow who matches up the young people of the village in the hopes that they will marry. She is the village busybody and knows all the news of the town. She is the comedienne of the show.

Lazar Wolf, the butcher
Gender: Male
Age: 40 to 60
Vocal range: C3 to F#4
Lazar is the town's wealthiest citizen & is the same age, if not older, than Tevye. He wants to marry, by traditional parental agreement, Tevye's daughter, Tzeitel. Promising to give her a good & secure life. A feisty, comic role.

Tzeitel, the eldest daughter
Gender: Female
Age: 18 to 25
Vocal range: B3 to D5
Tzeitel is the first daughter to marry and the first to challenge the traditions. A strong dramatic actress.

Motel, the tailor
Gender: Male
Age: 18 to 25 Vocal range: E3 to F#4
Motel is a meek & poor tailor who seeks the hand of Tzeitel, and comes into his own in the process. This is a terrific character role needing a sensitive, nervous but loveable portrayal, as well as a strong singing voice

Hodel, the 2nd eldest daughter
Gender: Female
Age: 18 to 23
Vocal range: B3 to E5
Hodel becomes intrigued with the radical, young student, Perchik. She eventually leaves Anatevka to join him in Siberia where he is imprisoned for his reform activities. Hodel sings a haunting solo as she says goodbye to her father at the train station. A clear and strong vocal tone is needed for this role

Perchik, the student
Gender: Male Age: 20 to 30
Vocal range: B2 to E4
Perchik is a visitor to Anatevka, and therefore, an outsider. He brings with him radical new ideas that challenge the traditions. He falls for Hodel. This role requires an actor capable of showing intensity and an unfailing commitment to his beliefs.

Chava, the 3rd eldest daughter
Gender: Female
Age: 15 to 20
Vocal range: B3 to D5
Chava is the scholarly daughter who loves to read. She falls in love and runs off with Fyedka, a Russian soldier, and breaks her father's heart. This role requires a capable dramatic actress who can perform an emotional dance.

Fyedka, a Russian soldier
Gender: Male
Age: 20 to 25
Non-singing role
Fyedka, a strong young soldier, sees past his military obligations and falls in love with Chava. May be double cast as Russian Soloist.

Shprintze
Gender: Female
Ages: 8 to 13
Vocal range: B3 to D5
The second youngest daughter of Tevye & Golde. She takes lessons at home from Perchik & appears in several scenes with some speaking lines.

Bielke
Gender: Female
Ages: 8 to 13
Vocal range: B3 to D5
The youngest daughter of Tevye & Golde. She takes lessons at home from Perchik & appears in several scenes with some speaking lines.

Russian Soloist
Gender: Male
Age: 18-35
Vocal Range: G3 to Ab4
A kind Russian who congratulates Lazar Wolfe and Tevye in song. Must have a strong voice. May be double cast as Fyedka.

The Constable
Gender: Male
Age: 35 to 45
Non-singing role
This Russian military official stationed near Anatevka, knows the villagers well, and even likes some of them, particularly Tevye. But these superficial relationships don't prevent him from carrying out violence against the people.

The Rabbi
Gender: Male
Age: 40 to 70
Anatevka's Jewish spiritual leader.

Mendel, the Rabbi's son
Gender: Male
Age: 16 to 25
The Rabbi's son. He is uncertain of the presence of Perchik in the village.

Mordcha, the innkeeper
Gender: Male
Age: 30 to 70
Runs the bar in town and is a friend of Tevye.

Avram, the bookseller
Gender: Male
Age: 40 to 60
Vocal range: D3 to Eb4
Runs the bookshop in town and keeps the town advised of all of the news in the area.

Grandma Tzeitel
Gender: Female
Age: 60 to 75
Vocal range: C#4 to D5
Grandma Tzeitel is a ghost figure who appears in the Dream Scene and has a wonderful solo, endorsing the marriage of Tzeitel to Motel. It is a very entertaining & memorable role. This actress will also appear as a villager.

Fruma-Sarah
Gender: Female
Age: 35 to 45
Vocal range: C4 to Eb5
Fruma-Sarah is also a ghost figure who appears in the Dream Scene. She portrays Lazar Wolf's departed wife & becomes enraged that her husband plans on marrying Tzeitel. It is a show-stopping scene requiring a strong singer to carry a challenging solo. This actress will also appear as a villager.

Nachum
Gender: Male
Age: 30 to 70
The town beggar. Chorus songs

Yussel
Gender: Male
Age: 30 to 70
The town Hatter. Chorus songs

Shandel
Gender: Female
Age: 40 to 70
The mother of Motel Chorus songs

Sasha
Gender: Male
Age: 18 to 30
Fyedka's Russian friend & fellow soldier. Chorus songs

Boris
Gender: Male
Age: 18 to 30
Fyedka's Russian friend & fellow soldier. Chorus songs

Priest
Gender: Male
Age: 30 to 70
Catholic spiritual leader. Will also play a villager. Chorus songs

The Fiddler
Gender: Male or Female
Age: Any
Violinist to play live on stage

Villagers, Russians & Dancers
Gender: ALL
Age: 8 to 80
These chorus members will portray the people of the village as either Papas, Mamas, Sons or Daughters. Strong dancers are needed for featured parts especially in the wedding scene and To Life. There will be double casting in these areas as needed. Some smaller speaking roles & solos will be determined during rehearsals.