Rosie O'Donnell Confirmed For Fiddler On The Roof Beginning September 20th

As first reported here on BroadwayWorld.com in the Broadway Pulse, other sources are now confirming that former talk show host, and Broadway producer Rosie O'Donnell is expected to begin performances after Labor Day as Golde in Fiddler on the Roof. Among others, Variety noted on 8/4 that the star is expected to make her Broadway return in the show. O'Donnell's own blog as well, located at Rosie.com hinted at the casting with a photo of her oldest son Parker, playing a fiddle upon a roof, and an entry relaying a conversation with her son about nervousness on a new project. Today Rosie confirmed reports in her blog with the following:

I will be playing golde
in fiddler on the roof
on broadway
sept 20 - jan 8th

harvey firestein stars as tevye
2 good 2 b true
i am over the moon excited
feel like a teen

A press statement released on Monday morning has confirmed the casting as well, and included a quote from her new co-star.  "As a twenty year friend of Rosie's, I couldn't be happier that we will finally share a stage together," said Harvey Fierstein. "With her understanding of Fiddler's important place in theatrical history, I am  positive she will uphold that tradition excitingly."

The show is currently running at the Minskoff Theatre with Harvey Fierstein as Tevye. Fierstein will remain with the show until closing date and Lori Wilner has taken over as Golde until O'Donnell enters on the 20th of September.

The show opened on February 26, 2004 starring Alfred Molina, who was replaced by Fierstein to positive reviews earlier this year. Fiddler on the Roof, which is based on the stories of Sholom Aleichem, also currently stars Nancy Opel, Sally Murphy, Laura Shoop, Tricia Paoluccio, Peter Matthew Smith, Paul Anthony Stewart and Patrick Heusinger. The show's immortal score features by Jerry Bock and lyrics by Sheldon as well as a book by Joseph Stein. Jonathan Butterell strongly based his musical staging on Jerome Robbins' original choreography, and the production features musical direction by Kevin Stites, orchestrations by Don Walker, sets by Tom Pye, costumes by Vicki Mortimer, lighting by Brian MacDevitt and sound by Acme Sound Partners.

The original production of Fiddler on the Roof, also directed by Robbins, ran for 3,242 performances after opening at the Imperial Theatre on September 22nd, 1964. Telling the heartfelt and timeless story of a Jewish family whose traditional way of life in 1905 Russia is shaken by forbidden romance and increasing anti-Semitism, the show won 9 Tonys (including Best Musical) in 1965, as well as a 1972 Special Tony Award for becoming the longest-running musical to that time. An acclaimed 1971 film was directed by Norman Jewison and starred Topol.