Fiddler on the Roof

Fiddler on the Roof

• Genre: Fiction; historical
• Originally Published: 1964
• Reading Level/Interest: College/adult
• Structure/Length: 2 acts; approx. 168 pages
• Protagonist and Central Conflict: In the rural Russian village of Anatevka in 1905, Tevye is a father and a milkman who is determined to maintain a focus on his Jewish culture and traditions despite external forces that interfere. His older daughters decide whom they want to marry, and as he contends with their choices, pogroms occur in nearby villages, forcing Tevye and his neighbors to question the safety of their beloved home.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Antisemitism; violence 

Joseph Stein, Author

• Bio: Born 1912; died 2010; earned BA from City College of New York and Master of Social Work from Columbia University; writer in radio and television and of books and plays; Oscar Hammerstein Award (2007)
• Other Works: Mr. Wonderful (1956); The Body Beautiful (1958); Rags (1986)

Sheldon Harnick, Author

• Bio: Born 1924; earned BA from Northwestern University School of Music; songwriter; won Grammys, Tonys, and Pulitzer Prize for Drama
• Other Works: The Body Beautiful (1958); Fiorello! (1959); Dragons (2003)

Jerry Bock, Author

• Bio: Born 1928; died 2010; graduated from University of Wisconsin-Madison; wrote for television and stage; won Tonys, Grammy, and Pulitzer Prize for Drama
• Other Works: The Body Beautiful (1958); Fiorello! (1959)

Awards: 1965 Tony Award recipient for Best Musical, Best Choreography, Best Costume Design, Best Direction of a Musical, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical, and Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical