FIDDLER's Topol Discusses The Show And His 2,500+ Performances As Tevye

This production of the Tony Award® winning musical, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, offers a once in a lifetime opportunity to see Chaim Topol, the man who made the role of Tevye famous in the 1972 Oscar nominated film.

Topol recently spoke with the St. Petersburg Times about the show and his 2,500+ performances as Tevye.

When asked about playing the iconic role while being older than the character, Topol offered, "It's much easier to be older, I can tell you. When I was 32, I thought that a man of 50 was very old. I had to restrain muscles to make sure that I didn't jump around and act too youngish. Now I'm totally free to jump as much as I want. I think it makes a big difference. I think my work now is more natural than it used to be."

To read the rest of the interview, click here.

The awarding winning musical has captured the hearts of people all over the world with its universal appeal and timeless message. FIDDLER ON THE ROOF is now embarking on its North American Tour.

In 1965 Jerome Robbins won matching Tony Award®s 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. Almost 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 will be at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center for eight performances. Tickets are on-sale now and may be purchased at the Orpheum Box Office from 9am-5pm Monday through Friday, David-Kidd Booksellers, and all Ticketmaster locations. Call (813) 229-7827 or toll-free 1-800-955-104 or go online at tbpac.org. Tickets range from $49-$77.50