Fiddler end question

[Marway44]

Posted: 2/10/24 at 5:34pm

I love the ending to Fiddlet. If it’s done right, it’s such a powerful, impactful scene showing that Tevye can have everything taken away from him except his traditions and he leaves Anatevka smiling. However, I always wondered why the fiddler stops playing after Tevye beckons for him to come with him. 
 

just wondering if any of you had any ideas as to why it was staged with the fiddler, stopping playing and tucking the fiddle under his arm. 
 

Thanks in advance for any help. I have just always wondered this. 

[CJRochester]

Posted: 2/10/24 at 7:34pm

Take your pick:

1) The fiddler is being forced to leave town, along with Tevye and all of their community. 

2) It's been a long show and the audience wants to go home. 

[tacotheatrelover]

Posted: 2/10/24 at 8:23pm

CJRochester said: "Take your pick:

1) The fiddler is being forced to leave town, along withTevye and all of their community.

2) It's been a long show and the audience wants to go home."

I pick number two, I went to a the fiddler tour by myself at 14 and I absolutely loved it… but it started at 7:30 and I didn’t leave until 10:30. I wanted to go home, and I lived an hour away from the theatre so my mom wasn’t happy either…

[Marway44]

Posted: 2/11/24 at 12:40pm

I agree with answer 1. He’s done there as they are.

Answer 2 is so true though. I would say it’s a nearly perfect show except all of the joyous numbers are in act 1.