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Fiddler on the Roof is set in the small
Jewish village of Anatevka, Russia, in 1905 and is con cerned
primarily with the efforts of Tevye, a dairyman, his wife, Golde, and
their five daughters to cope with their harsh existence under Tsarist
rule.
During the Prologue (Tradition"), Tevye explains the role of God's law
in providing balance in the villagers' lives. He describes the inner
circle of the community and the larger circle which includes the
constable, the priest, and countless other authority figures. He
explains, "We don't bother them and so far, they don't bother us." He
ends by insisting that without their traditions, he and the other
villagers would find their lives "as shaky as a fiddler on the roof."
Act One
Tevye's daughters wonder if the matchmaker will ever find them the men
of their dreams . The matchmaker, Yente, tells Golde that she has
selected the butcher Lazar Wolfe as a match for Tzeitel.
Tevye reflects on how much he wishes he had a small fortune ("If I Were
a Rich Man"). A group of villagers, including an outsider, Perchik,
approach him with news of a violent pogrom in a nearby village. Tevye
invites Perchik, a young revolutionary student, to come to his home for
Sabbath dinner and arranges for him to instruct his daughters.
 Motel,
the tailor attempts to ask Tevye for Tzeitel's hand, but gets
tongue-tied. The family and their guests welcome the Sabbath ("Sabbath
Prayer").
Tevye goes to meet Lazar Wolfe, the butcher, and agrees to the match
with Tzeitel. A boisterous celebration ensues involving the villagers
and the Russians who also congregate in the tavern.
As Tevye staggers home, he meets the Constable, who warns him that a
demonstration is going to be planned against the Jews of Anatevka.
Tevye tells Tzeitel about her engagement to Lazar Wolfe. Golde rejoices,
but after she leaves, Motel tells Tevye that he and Tzeitel gave each
other a pledge to marry. After a struggle with himself, Tevye agrees to
their marriage. He leaves and Motel and Tzeitel rejoice ("Miracle of
Miracles").
Tevye decides to manufacture a wild nightmare ("The Dream") to convince
Golde that the match with Lazar will result in Tzeitel's death at the
hands of the butcher's first wife, Fruma-Sarah. Golde is so horrified
that she insists on a marriage between Tzeitel and Motel.
The villagers are gossiping in the street about the mix-up in Tzeitel's
wedding plans. As Chava enters Motel's tailor shop, a group of Russians
on the street taunt her. Fyedka, a Russian youth, insists that they
stop. After they leave, Fyedka follows Chava into the shop. He tries to
speak with her, but leaves quickly when Motel enters. Motel places his
wedding hat on his head.
The musicians lead us to the wedding. The company sings ("Sunrise,
Sunset") as the traditional Jewish ceremony takes place. To the
villagers' alarm, Perchik asks Hodel to dance with him and she accepts,
performing the forbidden act of dancing with a man. Everyone else
follows suit. As the dance reaches a wild high point, the Constable and
his men enter. They destroy everything in sight. Perchik grapples with a
Russian and is hit with a club. The constable bows to Tevye and says " I
am genuinely sorry. You understand?" The family begins to clean up after
the destruction.
Act Two
Perchik tells Hodel that he is leaving to work for justice in Kiev. He p roposes
to her and she accepts ("Now I Have Everything"). He promises to send
for her as soon as he can. Tevye approves in spite of his misgivings.
After they leave, he asks Golde if she thinks their own arranged
marriage has somehow also turned into a romance ("Do You Love Me?").
On a village street, Yente tells Tzeitel she has
seen Chava with Fyedka. The news Yente has gleaned from a letter from
Perchik becomes gossip for the villagers, who turn it into a song that
totally distorts the truth ("The Rumor").
Tevye takes Hodel to the railroad station. She is going to Siberia where
Perchik has been sent after his arrest ("Far From the Home I Love").
The villagers are once again gossiping about a new arrival at Motel and
Tzeitel's.
At Motel's shop, we learn that the new arrival is a sewing machine.
Fyedka and Chava speak outside the shop. She promises to speak to Tevye
about their love for each other. Tevye appears and Chava tries to talk
to him about Fyedka. Tevye refuses to listen to her and forbids her to
ever to speak to him about Fyedka again.
Tevye returns home to learn from Golde that Chava and Fydeka have been
married by the priest. Tevye says that Chava is dead to them. He sings
of his love for Chava ("Little Bird"). When Chava appears to ask his
acceptance, he cannot allow himself to answer her plea. Chava exits as
unseen voices sing ("Tradition").
Yente is trying to fix up Tevye's remaining daughters with two boys as
future husbands. The Constable brings the news that everyone in the town
has to sell their houses and household goods and leave Anatevka in three
days. As the villagers think of their future, they sing fondly of the
village they are leaving ("Anatevka").
 The
family is packing the wagon to leave. Tzeitel and Motel are staying in
Warsaw until they have enough money to go to America. Hodel and Perchik
are still in Siberia. Chava appears with Fyedka. Tevye refuses to
acknowledge her. Chava explains that they are also leaving because they
cannot stay among people who can do such things to others. They are
going to Cracow. Tzeitel says goodbye to them and Tevye prompts Tzeitel
to add, "God be with you!" Chava promises Golde she will write to her in
America. Chava and Fyedka leave. Final goodbyes are said and Tevye
begins pulling the wagon. Other villagers join the circle, including The
Fiddler. Tevye beckons to the The Fiddler to follow him. The Fiddler
tucks his fiddle under his ar m and follows the group upstage as the
curtain falls. |
