Harvey Fierstein to Replace Topol in North American Tour of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF

Launching a new "tradition" Harvey Fierstein replaces Topol in the North American tour of the TONY award winning musical FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. Chaim Topol, regrettably informed the show's producers he would have to leave the production due to a shoulder injury requiring emergency long-term treatment.

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF will play Toronto's Canon Theatre from December 8, 2009 to January 10, 2010.

"We were shocked to hear, that due to a serious injury, Topol would no longer be able to complete his scheduled North American tour of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF," says Toronto presenter David Mirvish. "But as soon as the tour's producers told us that they had successfully engaged Harvey Fierstein to play the lead role in this classic and iconic musical, our shock turned to delight. Mr. Fierstein is not only a brilliant writer, but a magnificent performer, a genuine Broadway star who we look forward to welcoming to Toronto."

Mr. Fierstein starred as the iconic milkman, Tevye in the recent critically acclaimed Broadway production. Audiences now have the rare opportunity to see the TONY award winner embrace one of his favorite roles in this Jerome Robbins inspired production. Mr. Fierstein has won four TONY awards including Best Book of a Play and Best Actor in a Play for Torch Song Trilogy. His most recent win was the 2003 TONY for Best Actor in a Musical for the Broadway production of Hairspray. In addition to his TONY Award winning role in the Torch Song Trilogy, Mr. Fierstein recreated the role in the film adaptation thus winning him an Independent Spirit Award nomination as Best Male Lead. Other film work includes, Mrs. Doubtfire, Woody Allen's Bullets Over Broadway and Independence Day.

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF has captured the hearts of people all over the world with its universal appeal and timeless message. The North American Tour continues the tradition of the 1964 Jerome Robbins TONY Award winning production. Mr. Robbins won twin TONY awards for his direction and choreography of Broadway's FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. In this National Tour, both are faithfully recreated by Director Sammy Dallas Bayes, choreographer of the Broadway Revival.
When FIDDLER ON THE ROOF opened in the United States in 1964, it was a time of change and crumbling traditions in our own country. Perhaps the explanation for its world-wide success in the ‘60's and ‘70's was because the play illustrated the universality of such problems as the "generation gap," youthful dissent, revolutionary doctrine, and the oppression of minorities. Students of the time identified with the rebellious student, Perchik, and strongly related to the breaking of hallowed traditions. Tevye and others of his time struggled with these problems in 1905, and emerged triumphant, offering the hope and promise of reconciliation to a turbulent society. Today, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF is as relevant as ever.

Now, in the midst of a new millennia, in a world fraught with anxiety and fear, the one constant humanity can rely on is the strength of family and of its traditions that will ultimately sustain it through its own trials and tribulations. Forty five years and a generation later, new audiences can identify and take heart as they experience the tradition in great musical theatre that is FIDDLER ON THE ROOF.

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF begins December 8, 2009 and plays until January 10, 2010 at the Canon Theatre, 244 Victoria Street in Toronto.

For tickets call 416-872-1212 or 1-800-461-3333, or go online to www.mirvish.com