[theaterforme]

Okay, so I'm a little bit upset. ok, make that rather a lot...My director informed us that she decided against Once Upon a Mattress and is now planning on doing Fiddler for our musical this year. Don't get me wrong; it's a great show. She said that her reason is that there are lots of roles in Fiddler. Well, of course, this is very true. HOWEVER, we don't have a large talent pool at my school, especially in the male department. I've been casting and recasting the show in my head, and while there are sufficient males to play the young men and probably Lazaar, there really isn't anyone who could carry the Tevye role. Not to mention, there aren't any female leads if you're just honest about it. We have three very strong females, so you would have thought OUAM would have been the obvious choice over Fiddler. Furthermore, I just did this show, and I think that if I have to hear the song "If I were a Rich Man" mulitple times everyday for two and a half months, I might be forced to take drastic measures.

Am I just being selfish? Has anyone had similar experiences? Have you ever been in the situation where Tevye is rather weak? Any words of encouragement would be helpful. This will be my last highschool show, and I want to make the best of it.

Thanks for listening to me/ sorry for wasting your time...!

[Mark Walton]

Fiddler without Tevye would be even worse that trying to stage The Music Man with only 38 trombones and 55 cornets. Tevye IS Fiddler!

[Theatregeeke]

Fiddler on the roof is one of the most male heavy cast shows I can think of. OUAM would have given a chance to show off your strong actresses, plus had some good parts for the guys.

You're not being selfish, this show is pretty much all about Tevye.

[Broadwaybelter]

My Drama department was about to do the very same thing, luckily our drama teacher changed her mind one more time and made the musical "Highschool Musical" already pretty awful so we can't do much to ruin it. Good luck with your production, and you never know, maybe one of your boys will surprise you.

[Eponine93]

Hmm... I was faced with the same situation at a youth community drama organization, and then again with the role of the Baker in Into The Woods. However, you would be surprised. Our biggest cast jokes had to do with our Tevye's odd habits (downing an entire bag of cough drops before each performance comes to mind) and complete unability to sing "Rich Man." Its simply impossible to cast a 14-year old as Tevye. Everyone in the show thought he was terrible. However, a lot of audience came after the show and told me how good he was. He even was nominated for a community drama award.

Fiddler has some great female parts. I would LOVE to do it at my school, even though I know a completely untalented boy would recieve the part of Tevye because he is on the heavy-and-old-looking side.

Your director probably chose Fiddler with plans to cast the three strong females as the daughters.

[itsaboutonemoment]

You know what a nearby high school did with Fiddler? And I'm not saying that your high school may do this, however, they decided to cast a "guest artist" as Tevye. In other words, yes, they went out of the high school pool and into the community to play the role of Tevye. Lots of people have different opinions of that kind of thing. Personally, I think that if you can do another show that showcases who you have well, then you shouldn't pull that. However, if the Tevye is really good, it could be a learning experience.

Again, I don't know if that's what your director is doing, I'm just telling you of when I was in high school, and what another high school did. I'm sorry you have to go through this, but you will get through it. Let us know what happens!!

[jimbothecrab]

I saw a high school that did Fiddler and wished they had chosen something else. It really isn't that great of a musical in my opinion, very anticlimactic and yes if I had to hear "If i were a Rich man" more than maybe twice a year I would have to invest in some heavy duty ear plugs.

About casting outside a high school for a lead, that seems silly to me. If your high school can't carry a play, then simply don't do it in my opinion. But, as for you having doubts, just try as hard as you might to trust your director, maybe he has someone already picked out for Tevyah.

[mildredprice]

Tevye is Fiddler.

But last year we faced this problem with Footloose with the whole cast. It seemed like it was picked on favorites of the director. Chuck's "The Girl Gets Around" got changed to speaking because he couldn't sing...and "Holding on for a Hero" was also changed to speaking because the girls couldn't sing. But because it was sort of a big cast they did it. I'm not saying I'm the best singer in the world(because I am not), but I would have done a better job as Chuck, Ariel, Rusty, Wendy Jo, and Urleen has just me...it was that bad. I hope everything works out for your show...ours somewhat did.

[theaterforme]

Thanks all! Somehow you've made me feel much better. Auditions are in two weeks now, so it won't be long until I know what the director has up her sleeve. I shall update you on the situation soon.

[fiddlerfan]

When our we were told we would be doing fiddler in school, back in september, i was worried there wouldnt be many strong boys to play the big characters; Tveye, Lazar, Motel, perchik and the rest. But when it came to the auditions, it turned out nearly all the boys had a tune in their head and their acting was great!

I hope things turn out ok with your production, good luck!

[MademoiselleMusicals]

OK... let me sort out my head for a second...

Fiddler on the Roof WITHOUT Tveye, who is the lead???? How does that work exactly?

I can't stand Fiddler it must be such a pain to cast, as it's so heavily male dominated. I don't think it's such a good musical as so many people have said to me. It's terribly overrated in my opinion.

Anyway I hope things work out! Good luck with the auditions

[theaterforme]

Well, the cast list is up! And lo and behold there was a name next to the "Tevye" role. He's a junior who, as far as I am aware, has never done much singing, but I'm trying to withhold judgement. That choice was a surprise for one big reason. There was a new boy in town from Arizona who we were sure was sent by God solely for the purpose of playing Tevye- great voice, decent actor, right body type. Although called back for several parts, he was cast as Avram- a minor character.

I am starting to get excited though. I was cast as Hodel opposite one of my good friends as Perchik. (Hopefully that will be fun, not awkward.) The other sisters are talented and should be nice to work with.

The read-thru is after the new year, so I have plenty of time to stew over everything in my head!

[itsaboutonemoment]

Congratulations!!!!!!!! Hodel, what a great role. Let us know how it works out with your new Tevye, maybe he'll surprise you!

[DaddyDiesel]

Well dont hold any judgement yet like you said. THe guy could be excellent. Patience is the key. Jeese another fiddler. I think this is like the 8th fiddler I have heard about for this year. Congrats on the role!!!! I love fiddler Its a great show.

[Bill_Calhoun]

I was just cats as Fyedka in Fiddler, and I don't really like the show... oh well, it should be a laugh! I see it as somewhat of a star-vehicle for whoever polays Tevye.

In my groups' performance, I honestly think the director/ musical director only chose to do Fiddler (over the choices of 'Anything Goes' or 'Thouroughly Modern Millie') because it is the last show that Colin will be in. He IS Tevye. He looks, sounds, and acts just like Topol. WHich is why we are doing Fiddler... it annoys me a lot... oh well, sorry to infringe on this post with my ranting!

[Radames's_Angel]

Our Tevye won't sing!

[pish123c]

without a good Tevye, the show fails.

[Radames's_Angel]

yeah! TOTALLY! our show is on Friday and Saturday night, our Tevye didn't know his lines until Tuesday! it's annoying, he did the same thing with West Side Story last year when he was Tony too...