FIDDLER ON THE ROOF -- CHARACTER BREAKDOWN

Tevye (pronounced “Tev-yeh”)Tevye is the heart and conscience of Fiddler on the Roof. His stature comes from his integrity and zestfor life. Tevye's emotional range runs from strong patriarch to gentle father. He should be robust. Heunderstands his role as leader of the family, but knows his place as his wife's husband. Tevye should beable to show the wide range of conflict, joy and pain that his character feels throughout the story. Tevyeneeds to be comfortable speaking directly to the audience, and being the spiritual leader of yourproduction. He does not necessarily need to have a great singing voice, but he must have a strong, easilyprojected voice that can fill the theater. Tevye must develop an easy-going, comfortable rapport with theaudience.

Golde (pronounced “goal-deh”)Golde is the backbone of the family. She has a rather gruff exterior, but in her heart is sheer dedication toher family. She runs the household and keeps Tevye's more emotional side in check. Conversely, sheshould be able to show a softer side when dealing with Chava and Tevye's rift. Golde lives that herdaughters will be married. She, like Tevye, need not be the greatest singer in the world, but she shouldhave a commanding voice.

Tzeitel (pronounced “z-eye-tul”)Tzeitel is the oldest daughter of Tevye and Golde. She is the first to be matched by Yente and sets the plotof Fiddler into action by pleading with her father to let her marry Motel the Tailor, to whom she haspledged her love. She is determined to marry Motel and knows how to manipulate her father.

Hodel (prounounced “haw-dul”)Hodel is a strong, independent middle child of the three older daughters. She is outspoken, but respectful.She has her eye on the Rabbi's son at the outset of the story, but she is taken with the revolutionaryPerchik from the moment she meets him. Hodel proves that her dedication to and love for Perchik is realas she follows him to Siberia after his arrest.

Chava (pronounced “Ha-Va”)Chava is an introspective, rather shy young woman who seems to favor books over other pursuits. Herlove for the young Russian, Fyedka, tests her father's love to the limit and provides the largest conflict inthe story. The actor playing Chava must be able to display a wide emotional range.

Motel (pronounced “Ma-tul”)Motel is the young tailor enamored of Tzeitel. He is an endearing sort of Woody Allen type. He is astrong singer/dancer: able to dance at his wedding. A young man with good comic timing and avulnerable quality is ideal.

Perchik (pronounced “per-chick”)Perchik is a young student who leans toward a revolutionary, or as Tevye calls him, "A radical." Perchikshould be able to hold his own with Tevye. Being a strong character, he clashes with Tevye idealistically,but is likable, charming, and ultimately, a member of the family.

Fyedka (pronounced “fee-yed-ka”)Fyedka is a Russian soldier, non-jewish. Tevye and the rest of the men are distrusting of him, but he isactually a very kind and gentle man, despite being a soldier. He is strong and confident. He must be agood, strong dancer.

Lazar Wolf (pronounced “lay-zer”)Lazar Wolf is, by trade, a butcher. Tzeitel is frightened to marry Lazar Wolf and she should have reasonto be so. Lazar Wolf has featured singing in, "To Life" and must be able to sell the song.

TEVYE & CHAVA & FYEDKA

(MOTEL'S tailor shop. MOTEL and CHAVA are in the shop. CHAVA EXITS from shop andmeets FYEDKA outside)

FYEDKA: Chava, let me talk to your father.

CHAVA: No, that would be the worst thing, I'm sure of it.

FYEDKA: Let me try.

CHAVA: No, I'll talk to him. I promise. (TEVYE ENTERS)

FYEDKA: (Extending hand) Good afternoon. (Looks at CHAVA) Good day. (EXITS)

TEVYE: Good day. What were you and he talking about?

CHAVA: Nothing, but, Papa, Fydeka and I have known each other for a long time now and…

TEVYE: Chava, you must not forget who you are and who that man is.

CHAVA: He has a name, Papa.

TEVYE: Of course. All creatures on earth have a name.

CHAVA: Fyedka is not a creature, Papa. Fyedka is a man.

TEVYE: Who says that he isn't? It's just that he's a different kind of a man. As the Good Booksays, "Each shall seek his own kind." Which means: a bird may love a fish, but where wouldthey build a home together? (Starts toward the tailor shop, but CHAVA grabs his arm)

CHAVA: The world is changing, Papa.

TEVYE: No. Some things will never change.

CHAVA: We don't feel that way.

TEVYE: We?

CHAVA: Fyedka and I. We want to be married.

TEVYE: Are you out of your mind?

CHAVA: But, Papa -

TEVYE: No! Never talk about this again. Never see him again! Never! Do you understand me?

CHAVA: Yes, Papa. I understand you.

CHAVA & FYEDKA

CHAVA: Is there something you want?

FYEDKA: Yes. I'd like to talk to you. I've noticed you at the bookseller's. Not many girls in thisvillage like to read. (A sudden thought strikes him. He extends book he is holding) Would youlike to borrow this book? It's very good.

CHAVA: No, thank you.

FYEDKA: Because I'm not Jewish? Do you feel about us the way they feel about you? I didn'tthink you would.

CHAVA: I don't think we should be talking this way.

FYEDKA: Go ahead, take the book. And later we can talk about it.

(CHAVA takes the book and places it on a table as MOTEL ENTERS)

MOTEL: Oh, Fyedka! Can I do something for you?

FYEDKA: No, thank you. (Starts out)

MOTEL: Oh, you forgot your book.

CHAVA: No, it's mine.

MOTEL: Thank you, Chava. (CHAVA takes book and leaves the shop with FYEDKA)

FYEDKA: Good day, Chava.

CHAVA: Good day.

FYEDKA: (Pleasantly) Fyedka.

CHAVA: Good day, Fyedka.

TEVYE & LAZAR WOLF

TEVYE: Good evening, Reb Lazar.

LAZAR: Ah, Tevye - sit down. Have a drink. (Pours drink) Tevye - I suppose you know why Iwanted to see you.

TEVYE: (Drinks) Yes, I do, Reb Lazar, but there is no use talking about it.

LAZAR: (Upset) Why not?

TEVYE: Why yes? Why should I get rid of her?

LAZAR: Well, you have a few more without her.

TEVYE: I see! Today you want one. Tomorrow you may want two.

LAZAR: (Startled) Two? What would I do with two?

TEVYE: Same as you do with one.

LAZAR: I'm talking about your daughter, Tzeitel!

TEVYE: (TEVYE stares at him, upset) My daughter, Tzeitel?

LAZAR: I see her in my butcher shop every Thursday. She's made a good impression on me. Ilike her. And I would be good to her, Tevye. (Slightly embarrassed) What do you think?

TEVYE: (To AUDIENCE) What do I think? You can have a fine conversation with him, if youtalk about kidneys and livers. On the other hand, not everybody has to be a scholar. Maybe Imisjudged him. He is a good man. He likes her. He will try to make her happy. (Turns toLAZAR) What do I think? It's a match!

LAZAR: (Delighted) You agree?

TEVYE: I agree.

LAZAR: Tevye, that's wonderful.

TEVYE: To the both of us.

LAZAR: To our agreement.

TEVYE: To good health and happiness.

PERCHIK & TEVYE

PERCHIK: Good Sabbath, sir.

TEVYE: (Introducing himself to PERCHIK) Tevye. And Good Sabbath to you, Reb...

PERCHIK: Perchik.

TEVYE: Perchik. You're a newcomer here. As Abraham said, "I am a stranger in a strange land."

PERCHIK: Moses said that.

TEVYE: Forgive me. As King David put it, "I am slow of speech and slow of tongue."

PERCHIK: That was also Moses.

TEVYE: For a man with a slow tongue, he talked a lot. And where are you from?

PERCHIK: Kiev... I was a student in the University there.

TEVYE: So what's the news from the outside world?

PERCHIK: Terrible.

TEVYE: How terrible?

PERCHIK: In a village called Rajanka, all the Jews were evicted, forced to leave their homes...

TEVYE: For what reason?

PERCHIK: Maybe the Tsar wanted their land... maybe a plague...

(TEVYE notices that PERCHIK is eyeing the cheese hungrily)

TEVYE: Here, have a piece.

PERCHIK: Thank you, but I have no money.

TEVYE: It's a blessing for me to give. It's no crime to be poor.

PERCHIK: It's the rich who are the criminals. Some day their wealth will be ours.

TEVYE: That would be nice. If they would agree, I would agree. But until that golden daycomes,Reb Perchik, how will you live?

PERCHIK: By giving lessons. Do you have children?

TEVYE: Five daughters.

PERCHIK: Five?

TEVYE: Daughters.

PERCHIK: Girls should learn too. Girls are people.

TEVYE: A radical!

PERCHIK: I would be willing to teach them. Open their minds to great thoughts.

TEVYE: I am a very poor man. Food for lessons?(PERCHIK nods) Good. Stay with us for the Sabbath.

PERCHIK: Good Sabbath, Reb Tevye.

TZEITEL, MOTEL & TEVYE

TZEITEL: Motel, Yente was here!

MOTEL: I know I saw her.

TZEITEL: If they agree on someone, then it will be too late for us. Ask my father for my handtonight.

MOTEL: Why should he consider me now? I'm only a poor tailor.

TZEITEL: Even a poor tailor is entitled to some happiness.

MOTEL: (Summoning courage) All right, I'll talk to him.

TEVYE: (ENTERING) Come in, children, we're lighting the candles.

MOTEL: Reb Tevye.

TEVYE: It's late! Where is everybody?

MOTEL: Reb Tevye?

TEVYE: (Irritated) What is it, Motel? What?

MOTEL: (Taken aback) Good Sabbath, Reb Tevye.

TEVYE: Good Sabbath, Motel.

MOTEL: Reb Tevye...

TEVYE: Not now, Motel. I have problems.

MOTEL: That's what I want to speak to you about. I think I can help.

TEVYE: You?

MOTEL: I have a match for Tzeitel. This match was made exactly to measure. A perfect fit.

TEVYE: Stop talking like a tailor and tell me who it is.

MOTEL: It's me - myself.

TEVYE: You must be crazy! (Stares at him, then to AUDIENCE, startled and amused) He mustbe crazy. (To MOTEL) Arranging a match for yourself. What are you, everything? You'll evenperform the ceremony?

MOTEL: Tzeitel and I gave each other our pledge more than a year ago that we would marry.

TEVYE: (Stunned) You gave each other a pledge? Doesn't anyone have to ask a father anymore?

TZEITEL: Yes, Papa, we gave each other our pledge.

HODEL & PERCHIK

HODEL: That was a very interesting lesson, Perchik.

PERCHIK: Thank you.

HODEL: But I don't think the Rabbi would agree with your strange ideas.

PERCHIK: Certainly! Any new idea would be strange to you. Remember, the Lord said: Letthere be light.

HODEL: Yes. But he was not talking to you personally ... Good day.

PERCHIK: You have spirit. Even a little intelligence perhaps.

HODEL: Thank you.

PERCHIK: And you are very brave. Do you know that in the city boys and girls can hold handstogether, they even dance together - new dances - like this. (HE seizes her and starts dancing,humming) I learned it in Kiev. Do you like it?

HODEL: (Startled) It's very nice.

PERCHIK: (Stops dancing) There. We've just changed an old custom.

HODEL: (Bewildered) Yes. Well, you're welcome - I mean, thank you - I mean, good day.

PERCHIK: Good day.

HODEL, TZEITEL & CHAVA

HODEL: I wonder if Yente found a husband for you?

TZEITEL: I'm not anxious for Yente to find me a husband.

CHAVA: Not unless it's Motel, the tailor.

TZEITEL: I didn't ask you.

HODEL: Tzeitel, you're the oldest. Yente has to make a match for you before she can make onefor me.

CHAVA: And me.

TZEITEL: Oh, Yente! Yente!

HODEL: Well, somebody has to arrange the matches.

TZEITEL: (To CHAVA) Since when are you interested in a match, Chava? I thought you justhad your eye on your books.

(HODEL chuckles)

And you have your eye on the Rabbi's son.

HODEL: Why shouldn't I want the best?

TZEITEL: Because you're a girl from a poor family. So whatever Yente brings, you'll take.

Into Song “Matchmaker”

GOLDE & YENTE

YENTE: What does that poor little tailor Motel want with Tzeitel?

GOLDE: They've been friends since they were babies. They talk, they play, they're children.

YENTE: From such children come other children.

GOLDE: Yente, you said you had news.

YENTE: Of course, the news - It's about Lazar Wolf, the butcher. Out of the whole town, he'scast his eye on Tzeitel.

GOLDE: Such a match, for my Tzeitel. But Tevye wants a learned man.

YENTE: Listen to me, Golde, send Tevye to him. Don't tell him what it's about. Let Lazardiscuss it himself.

GOLDE: Tevye doesn't like Lazar.

YENTE: Lazar will win him over. He's a good man, and I don't have to tell you he's well off.And you don't have to thank me, Golde, because it gives me satisfaction to make people happy.So goodbye, Golde, and you're welcome.

GOLDE, TZEITEL & HODEL

TZEITEL: (Enters carrying wood for the fire) Mama, where should we put these?

GOLDE: Put them on my head! By the stove, foolish girl. Where is Chava?

HODEL: She’s in the barn, milking.

TZEITEL: When will Papa be home?

GOLDE: It’s almost Sabbath and he worries a lot when he’ll be home! All day long riding ontop of his wagon like a prince.

TZEITEL: Mama, you know Papa works hard.

GOLDE: His horse works harder! … And you don’t have to defend your Papa to me. I knowhim longer than you . . . He could drive a person crazy . . . He should only live and be well . . .Hodel, bring me some potatoes.

(CHAVA enters, carrying a basket with a book under her arm)

GOLDE: Chava, did you finish milking?

CHAVA: Yes, mama. (She drops the book.)

GOLDE: You were reading again? Why does a girl have to read? Will it get her a betterhusband? Here. (She hands Chava the book.)

TZEITEL: Mama, Yente’s coming down the road.

HODEL: Maybe she’s finally found a good match for you, Tzeitel.

GOLDE: From your mouth to God’s ears.

TEVYE

(The exterior of TEVYE'S house. TEVYE is sitting on a bench)

TEVYE: Dear Lord, that was quite a dowry You gave my daughter Tzeitel at her wedding. Wasthat really necessary? Anyway, Tzeitel and Motel are married now. Almost two months. Theywork very hard, they are as poor as squirrels in winter. But they are both so happy, they don'tknow how miserable they are. They have big plans. Motel keeps talking about a sewing machine.I know You're very busy - but couldn't You take a second and get it for him. Oh, and whileYou're in the neighborhood, my horse's left leg - Am I bothering You too much? I'm sorry. Asthe Good Book says - Why should I tell You what the Good Book says?