Stratford Festival Kicks Off Season Today

The Festival Theatre stage will transform into a small Jewish village through the heartwarming tale of hope, faith and tradition that is Fiddler on the Roof. One of Broadway's longest-running and most celebrated musicals begins previews in Stratford on Tuesday, April 23, marking the first performance of the 2013 season.

An affectionately humorous portrait of life in the small Russian shtetl of Anatevka, Fiddler on the Roof centres on Tevye, the village milkman, who finds his values challenged by his daughters' insistence on following their hearts rather than the dictates of tradition. Gradually, Tevye comes to accept that change is inevitable, but he does not realize that other, tragic upheavals are on the horizon - some that threaten his community's very existence.

The production is directed and choreographed by Donna Feore, who returns for her 19th season at the Festival, having helmed such much loved productions as Oliver!, Oklahoma!, Cyrano de Bergerac and last year's You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown.

"This is a classic musical with extraordinary heart," says Ms Feore. "Tevye is not only dealing with change and uncertainty within his family, he is also dealing with uncertainty in the world around him. I think that is why people are so moved by this piece. Life is always changing. Like the fiddler on the roof, it's unstable, and it's about finding balance."

In a playbill built around themes of community, Fiddler on the Roof is a natural fit.

"In putting together this season, I was particularly drawn to exploring the idea of cultural belonging: communities divided and how they bridge those gaps," says Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino. "This is an iconic story of a community driven apart by the pressures of a changing world, but also one of bringing people together - a notion it takes beyond the stage by inviting us all to be Jewish, if only for a couple of hours. The combination of music and dance, humour and warmth makes Fiddler on the Roof a timeless work of art within the musical genre and a great night out at the theatre."

Based on the stories of Sholem Aleichem, with book by Joseph Stein, music by Jerry Bock and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, the Tony Award-winning musical was originally produced on the New York stage by Harold Prince and directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins. The rousing, unforgettable score, featuring such beloved songs as "If I Were a Rich Man," "Matchmaker, Matchmaker" and "Sunrise, Sunset," will be brought to life in this production by an outstanding cast working alongside acclaimed Musical Director Shelley Hanson in her Stratford debut.

Two familiar faces from Festival seasons past make a welcome return in the musical: Scott Wentworth as Tevye and Kate Hennig as his wife, Golde. The cast also features Jacquelyn French as Hodel, Keely Hutton as Chava, Gabrielle Jones as Yente, André Morin as Motel, Mike Nadajewski as Perchik, Paul Nolan as Fyedka and Jennifer Stewart as Tzeitel.

Joining Ms Feore and Ms Hanson are Tony Award-nominated Set Designer Allen Moyer, Costume Designer Dana Osborne, Lighting Designer Michael Walton, Sound Designer Peter McBoyle and Fight Director John Stead.

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