Bozeman Magazine

Celebrating 20 years of outstanding shows, Montana TheatreWorks proudly presents one of the greatest musicals of all time. Based on Sholom Aleichem’s Tevye and his Daughters, Fiddler on the Roof is the beloved story of Anatevka, a small town where, in 1905, Jews and Russians live in a delicate balance. Time honored traditions are both embraced and challenged by Teyve (Frank Simpson) as his three daughters grow up and fall in love in a time when their simple world is going through an extraordinary transition.

Musical director Frederick Frey leads an outstanding live orchestra playing such timeless songs as Sunrise, Sunset, If I Were a Rich Man and the classic Matchmaker, Matchmaker. With a talented cast of 30 filling The Ellen stage, Shari Watson provides sterling choreography and Michael Dixon an array of stunning costumes, while Anatevka comes to life with a brilliant set design by M. A. Hare. The creative team is rounded out by Joel Jahnke and Stephan Gueguen adding Lighting and Sound Design, respectively, and the entire production is under the direction of MTW co-founder Mary Jo Ludin.

Fiddler on the Roof captures the essential human longings for love, community, success, freedom, family, and meaning, and touches us all. It is no wonder that the original 1964 production, directed by Jerome Robbins, became the longest-running Broadway musical in history, a title it maintained for ten years.