The Fiddler on the Roof was first performed at Broadway’s Imperial Theater in 1964. It was composed by Jerry Bock and was developed into a movie in 1971. The musical itself is set in the early 1900s and focuses on the life of a family living in the Jewish community of Anatevka, Russia. 

Liv Anderson, who has been cast to play Golde in spring, explained the word “tradition” itself as a summary of the musical. Tevye is the main character of the story, and much of the plot revolves around his struggles with how he enforces religious traditions in the lives of his three daughters. “He wants them to follow his same Jewish morals and traditions, but they’re growing up and they want to find love and someone that loves them for them,” Liv says. Accounts of this musical by multiple leads have shown evident themes of tradition and change throughout the story’s plot and characters. “Especially for the seniors, I think a big part of this show is about home, and where that is,” Carolyn Rice described. She also expressed how this is a bittersweet theme, as Fiddler will be her senior high school musical. 

In the past, Hempfield has presented numerous musicals, such as Peter Pan, The Wizard of Oz, Fame, Beauty and the Beast, and annual Dance Theater performances. In comparison to Hempfield’s recent productions, the Fiddler on the Roof holds a considerable contrast. The musical’s obscurity is one factor in this change. “I will say that it will definitely be more of a struggle”, Adyleen Aunen accounts. “But the music is more known than people think”. She pointed out the song Rich Girl by Gwen Stefani. Aunen also adds that the musical’s period before World War II adds a layer of application to Hempfield’s audience. 

The musical holds many strong musical numbers, among them being songs like Tradition, If I Were a Rich Man, and Sunrise, Sunset. Sunrise was the most popular response among the leads, many students explained that its emphasis on change as well as the idea of family makes the musical number very profound. “It explains how growing up goes quickly, so you have to treasure those moments and enjoy those experiences you have with your young ones,” David Becker says.

The day of casting auditions is one of the more exciting yet nerve-wracking days for theater students at Hempfield. It’s a time filled with anticipation as they eagerly await the chance to showcase their talents, hoping to land a role that could bring joy to their theatrical journey and contribute to the success of the upcoming production. “I convinced myself this time that I was going to be as chill as possible,” Wilder Long explained, “Whatever happens happens.” Mindset as well as strategy seemed to play a role in auditions. “I was trying to figure out, ‘okay, who do I really want to pour my time into?’” “You don’t want to lose your voice, so you can’t just practice every single song like 50 times,” David said. Becoming the cast character itself is something else entirely. For Liv, she explained that she would have to dig deep to act as her character. “Golde is a very stern and ‘tough-love’ sort of mother, and that’s very different than my personality. She is also a very funny character, which is kind of [contradictory].”

Adelynn Aunent plays Hodel, Tevye’s second daughter, who falls in love with a revolutionary character, Perchik. Adelynn reflected within the interview that she coincidentally is also her father’s second daughter, and also made the connection in her personality with that of Hodel. “I am a person who doesn’t like to be told what to do, and neither does she. It’s very clear that she has very strong emotional courage and stability in her family and her character.” 

The leads for Fiddler on the Roof come from a variety of ages and experiences, which created a diverse cast of students to act in the musical. Underclassmen like sophomores Jonathan O’Maille and Sofia Deibler said they were very surprised when they were cast for lead roles. “It being my first year, I just kind of put it all out there, getting called back and getting a lead role- that meant a lot,” Jonathan said. This will be his first ‘big musical performance’ as he was on vacation last year through Peter Pan’s auditions. He feels as though his focused preparation for callbacks led to his casting success. This marks Sofia’s third musical, and she expressed great excitement about how she envisions her portrayal of the role. “I didn’t allow myself to get my hopes up, so when I actually found out, I was in a doctor’s appointment, and I was freaking out.” Sofia did tell her doctor the good news.

Hempfield’s production of The Fiddler on the Roof boasts a diverse cast spanning a wide range of ages, a choice that has proven to be commendable. The inclusion of cast members of varying ages enhances the richness and authenticity of the performance, contributing to the overall success of the school’s production. This thoughtful approach not only showcases the school’s commitment to inclusivity but also adds a unique dimension to the production, making it a noteworthy and enjoyable experience for the audience. Come to see this performance in March!