‘Fiddler on the Roof’
Characterisations and Directors Audition pieces
TEVYE
GOLDE
Tevye’s spirited, stubborn hard-working wife who often makes decisions based on superficial factors. They have been married for 25 years, running his household – she is the framework of the family. Like Tevye she wants to uphold tradition. Her love of family outweighs tradition in the end – especially when meeting Chava in the final scenes. Golde needs warmth, a true ‘mother’ figure. Playing age late 40’s/late 50’s.
TZEITEL
Tevye’s oldest daughter. She is mature and shrewd. Very much in love with her childhood friend, Motel. They have secretly pledged to marry each other. She is the first daughter to confront her father and break tradition. Playing age mid-late 20’s.
HODEL
Tevye’s second eldest daughter. Like her mother she is spirited, quick witted and speaks her mind – forthright. She is willing to confront other people’s opinions which is what Perchik finds attractive about her. She falls madly in love with Perchik and then eventually follows him to Siberia. Playing age early-mid 20’s.
CHAVA
Tevye’s third eldest daughter. She is gentle, sensitive and compassionate. We should feel that Chava has been in the shadows all her life until she breaks free to run off with Fyedka. She loves to read and spends most of her life with her nose in a book, which leads her to a meeting with the Russian gentile. Chava is the last to break tradition – marrying against her father’s strongest wishes. Playing age 16 – 20. Chava must look fragile and have good movement skills for ballet at the end of the show.
LAZAR WOLF
A wealthy butcher whose wife is dead and therefore wishes to marry the much younger Tzeitel. He can be mulish, self-centred and uncomplicated. He needs to be a strong character actor. Playing age 50’s.
MOTEL KAMZOIL
The young nervous, sensitive tailor who has been family friends with Tzeitel all of his life and is very much in love with her. Naturally timid and edgy around Tevye, he conquers his fears to make a stand when asking for Tzeitel’s hand in marriage. Playing age mid-late 20’s.
PERCHIK
He is a ‘modern’ Jewish revolutionary student from Kiev. He is confident, passionate and philosophical. He eventually falls for Hodel and her spirit. Perchik is responsible for introducing the idea of breaking tradition into the village. He also believes that the villagers should have an awareness of what is going on in the outside world, how forces are working against Jews within Russia. Playing age late 20’s.
FYEDKA
The young Russian man who falls for Chava. He is kind and charming, non Jew who has integrity and overlooks cultural differences resulting in marriage to Chava. He must be a good mover for ‘To Life’ routine. Playing age early-mid 20’s. A very slight Russian accent required.
YENTE
An excellent character actress required. She is a childless widow who meddles in everyone’s business. Talkative, pushy matchmaker with an eccentric personality. Her last aim before she dies is to get to the ‘Holy Land’. Playing age 50’s upwards;
SHPRINTZE
Tevye’s second youngest daughter. Must look 11-12. Must be able to sing as they will also be in ‘Matchmaker’ song.
BIELKE
The youngest daughter. Must look around 8 – 9. Again has to be a good singer as she will be included in the ‘Matchmaker’ number.
AVRAM
The bookseller. Any age
CONSTABLE
The Russian officer who resides within Anatevka. He builds up an unlikely friendship with Tevye, but follows orders to orchestrate pogroms against the Jews. He needs a commanding presence, so we realise he is always there. Playing age 40’s. A Very slight Russian accent required.
FRUMA SARAH
Lazar Wolf’s terrifying first wife. She needs to have a powerhouse of a voice. Playing age 30’s upwards;
VOCAL audition only: The Dream ( bars 115 to 138 )
GRANDMA TZEITEL
Golde’s dead grandmother who makes an appearance during the ‘Dream’ sequence. Playing age 60’s.
VOCAL audition only The Dream ( Bars 1 to 34 )
MENDEL
The Rabbi’s son. Opinionated and think he knows all the answers. Playing age late 20’s.
MORDCHA
The Innkeeper. Playing age late 30’s upwards;
NACHUM
The beggar. Playing age 40’s upwards;
RABBI
An old experienced character actor required. He needs an expressive face – the spiritual leader of Anatevka. Ideally needs to be a small man. Playing age late 60’s.
SASHA
Fyedka’s friend. He is the Russian Tenor solo in ‘To Life’. He also needs to be a good mover for the dance. Playing age late 20’s/early 30’s.
SHANDEL
FIDDLER
Ideally would be a bonus if it was a real violin player. He needs to have a good character face. Any age.
Names to be submitted only.
VILLAGERS
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