National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene’s
Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish
A Soraya Concert Production and
West Coast Premiere
With English Supertitles
Directed by Joel Grey
in Yiddish
A Soraya Concert Production and
West Coast Premiere
With English Supertitles
Directed by Joel Grey
Sat Sep 13 | 8PM
Sun Sep 14 | 3PM & 7PM
Event details
The original 1964 Fiddler on the Roof garnered nine Tony Awards. The popular show leaned on universal themes of changing times and a household torn by young love. But reality was not so simple. Behind the scenes, there were bitter disagreements between the lead actor, Zero Mostel, and director and choreographer Jerome Robbins, divided, in part, by their opposing views on the House Un-American Activities Committee. The production was also criticized for being whitewashed, too far a departure from the original short stories written by Sholem Aleichem about the persecution of Jews in Eastern Europe.
In 2018, New York-based National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene reclaimed Fiddler as a piece of Jewish culture, translating the script and lyrics into Yiddish, with English supertitles. They engaged a top-notch Broadway cast led by Steven Skybell as Tevye. The results were historic, praised as fresh, authentic, personal, and highly emotional. New York Times critic Jesse Green exclaimed, “Even the jokes were making me cry.”
The pandemic interrupted touring plans, but now The Soraya partners with the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene to bring it to the West Coast for the first time in a special concert version with Skybell reprising his leading role.
Generously underwritten by
The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation
Noah Marco, M.D. and Cornelia Kalt-Marco
Carol Shubin, Ph.D.
Faith and Jonathan Cookler
Ronald and Sandy Friedman
Sat Sep 13 | 8PM
Sun Sep 14 | 3PM & 7PM
Price includes all fees.
Ticket prices
$59–$137
Director Selects
Cast
Steven Skybell
Steven Skybell (Tevye) is currently starring as Herr Schultz in the Broadway revival of Cabaret for which he received a 2024 Tony nomination. Skybell won the 2019 Lortel Award for best performance by an actor for his portrayal of Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish, directed by Joel Grey. Other Broadway credits include Wicked, Pal Joey, Fiddler on the Roof, The Full Monty, Love Valour Compassion, Café Crown, and Ah, Wilderness. Recent engagements: Carnegie Hall solo debut in an evening of Yiddish songs from the Holocaust (also seen at The Salt Shed, Chicago); and his Lyric Opera of Chicago debut as Tevye in Barrie Kosky’s celebrated Fiddler from the Komische Oper Berlin. Much TV and film.
Jennifer Babiak
Jennifer Babiak (Golde) is thrilled to return Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish! Jennifer’s credits include: Broadway: Fiddler on the Roof; Off-Broadway: Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish (Golde), I Can Get it For You Wholesale (Classic Stage Company). Tours: West Side Story (Maria), EVITA (Mistress), Grease (Sandy). Select Regional: Into the Woods (Cinderella), My Fair Lady (Eliza), Jekyll and Hyde (Emma), Pirates of Penzance (Mabel). NYU Steinhardt graduate. Thank you to Joel, Zalmen, Stas, Motl, Jamibeth and all at NYTF for the gift of a lifetime with this special show and company. Thanks always to family, friends and husband Michael.
Rachel Zatcoff
Rachel Zatcoff (Tsaytl) Broadway: The Phantom of the Opera (Christine Daaé). International Tour: West Side Story (Maria). Off Broadway: Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish (Tsaytl), Winesday (Molly), & The Golden Bride (Khanele). Regional: The Last Five Years (Cathy), The Secret Garden (Alice), A Little Night Music (Anne), & The Most Happy Fella. New York City Opera: Candide directed by Hal Prince, Dear Erich (Lili), & The Garden of the Finzi-Continis (Adriana). Favorite roles: Alfie’s mama & Seth’s wife. BM, Rutgers University. MM, Temple University. Rachel enjoys drinking red wine, talking to the moon, being a Libra, eating all of the cheese, performing, & celebrating life in NYC. Love & thanks to the entire mishpokhe for including me in this dream show from day 1 & continuing to—even 30 weeks pregnant! @rachelzatcoff www.rachelzatcoff.com
Yael Eden Chanukov
Yael Eden Chanukov (Hodl) Off-Broadway: Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish and Amid Falling Walls (National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene). Regional Theatre: Fiddler on the Roof (Drury Lane Theatre), Wizard of Oz (Creede Repertory Theatre) and Next to Normal (Sapphire Theatre). Readings: Alexsei’s Quest, Vilna: A Resistance Story. Television: “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” “For All Mankind.“Represented by Powerline Entertainment and teaches voice at musicaltheatrecoach.com. Social Media: @yaelchanukov.
Rosei Jo Neddy
Rosie Jo Neddy (Khave) is a New York City-based theatre artist. She grew up in Ohio and studied theatre at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. Rosie Jo has been with this Fiddler since its beginning in 2018, playing Khave in every iteration of the production. Other credits include: Carousel at Lyric Opera Chicago, Gypsy at Music Theater Works. Also a passionate director/choreographer and teaching artist, Rosie Jo has worked with The Shubert Organization/MTI Broadway Jr. Grant, LaGuardia High School, and Disney Theatrical Group. Thank you so much, Zalmen, Motl, Joel, and all Fiddler company members for all of your love and support these past seven years.
Kirk Geritano
Kirk Geritano (Motl) is an original cast member of Yiddish Fiddler, starting his journey at the show’s inception in NYC with the Folksbiene back in 2018. Originally cast as Avrom and an understudy for Motl and others, Kirk continued in the role for several years as the show moved uptown to Stage 42 and then to New World Stages. After many understudy performances as Motl during the original run, Kirk is honored to be playing the role for the West Coast premiere of the show. Other credits include several National and Regional educational tours for ArtsPower and George Street Playhouse, as well as countless readings, projects, and concerts with the Folksbiene. When not on the stage, Kirk is also an experienced youth acting teacher and director, currently working at Rockstar Studios in Middlesex, NJ.
Drew Seigla
Drew Seigla (Pertshik) Richmond, VA native Drew Seigla made his Off-Broadway debut as Matt in The Fantasticks at the Snapple Theatre in Times Square for a 2-year stint. Next up, he was cast as a standby for three roles in the Off-Broadway success Sweeney Todd at Barrow St. Theatre. He is most known for playing Pertshik in Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish at NYTF, Stage 42 & at New World Stages where he can be heard on the Original Cast Album. Drew was honored to sing at Carnegie Hall this April as a vocalist in Bryan Perri’s Few Words: A Performance. Last week, he took his final bow as Pierre in Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 at Firehouse Theatre. He attended Elon University for Music Theatre and earned his B.A. from The Juilliard School in Music from the Vocal Arts Division. Thanks to God, Mom & Dad & my wife, Steph.
Griffith Frank
Griffith Frank (Fyedke/Ensemble) is an award-winning singer, performer, and multi platinum RIAA songwriter hailing from Los Angeles. His critically acclaimed rendition of “Unusual Way” was featured in the credits and on the soundtrack of the 2010 movie musical “Nine”, songs he has written have been streamed over a billion times, and he has performed in shows and festivals globally; including as a featured singer at the renowned Java Jazz Festival. Griffith is a graduate of the opera program at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music and honored to be a part of the cast.
Samuel Druhora
Samuel Druhora (Leyzer Volf) has performed principal roles in some of musical theater’s most iconic productions—from Jean Valjean in Les Misérables to the depths of the Paris Opera House in Phantom, with standout turns as Perón in Evita, and leading roles in Ragtime and Sweeney Todd. His passion lies in crafting truthful, layered characters—whether under the stage lights or in front of the camera. Samuel is thrilled to join the cast of Fiddler on the Roof as Leyzer Volf in this special Yiddish-language production at The Soraya, in collaboration once again with the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene.
Lisa Fishman
Lisa Fishman (Yente/Bobe Tsaytl) Singer, actress, songwriter and voice over actor, Lisa Fishman, is thrilled to return to Fiddler in Yiddish after appearing in the Off-Broadway productions from 2018 to 2020 and 2022. Lisa has performed throughout the U.S. and Europe – starring in musical theater, performing original music, singing and recording with Klezmer bands (including Chicago’s Maxwell Street Klezmer Band), concertizing in Jewish music (Yiddish, Hebrew and Ladino), entertaining children on television, working in voice over, and singing everything from jazz, folk and rock to light opera and heavy metal. Theater Highlights: Golde (Fiddler on the Roof), Sally Bowles (Cabaret), Nancy (Oliver! ), Fanny Brice/Emma Goldman (Tintypes), voicing Miss Dogma on the animated series, “God’s Gang,” providing the English dub for the leading role of Adina on the Netflix hit, “Rough Diamonds,” and voicing the “My Yiddishe Bubbie” doll. Lisa performs her original, one-woman musical, Dating (And The Search For Love) around the country. www.LisaFishman.com
Bobby Underwood
Bobby Underwood (Constable) is thrilled to return to his Yiddish Fiddler mishpokheh, more than seven years after the beginning of its first run at the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene at the Museum of Jewish Heritage. Bobby also works as a comedian and, along with Fiddler‘s music director Zalmen Mlotek, will perform the west coast debut of their Tom Lehrer tribute show, “Thank You Tom Lehrer,” at the Rubicon Theatre in Ventura on September 16th at 7:00. [Tickets available on the Rubicon’s website.] For Mom, Dad, and everyone who came before them. www.underwoodbobby.com
Carly Post
Carly is beyond excited to join this mischpoche! Other shtetls include 2 years on the Fiddler on the Roof National Tour (Bielke). Other credits include: Rewind (Theater Row), Pride and Prejudice (SheArts), A Christmas Story, Anything Goes. Readings: Yidl with his Fiddle (Yidl). You can see Carly on Amazon Prime’s Étoile and hear her on PBS Kids! Endless thanks to her family, Stephanie, Alyson, wonderful dog Rory, Nouveaux, the NYTF team, Joel Grey, and her supportive friends! @carlypost1
Glenn Rosenblum
Glenn Rosenblum (Rabbi/Ensemble) New York: The Rise of David Levinsky. Los Angeles: Mack and Mabel, Man Of La Mancha, Follies, Grey Gardens. Regionally: Fiddler on the Roof (Motel), Ballroom, Chess, Guys and Dolls. Cabaret and His Cabaret Show, Glenn Rosenblum Is The Musical Man. Glenn is also the creator of Broadway Showstopperslecture/cabaret series performed most recently at the Coachella Valley Repertory and Crystal Cruises. Television: “Law And Order: SVU,” “Bones,” “Miami Vice.” BA Theatre, UCLA.
Jodi Snyder
Jodi Snyder (Fruma Sara/Beylke) is a New York-based actor and is thrilled to be reunited with her Fiddler mishpacha! Most recently Jodi has been touring the US with the Tony-Award winning revival Parade understudying the role of Lucille Frank among many others. Other select credits include: Fiddler on the Roof (Drury Lane), Pete the Cat (Lucille Lortel). Jodi holds her BFA in Musical Theater from Syracuse University. A huge thank you to her entire family and to UIA Talent Agency! @jodez18
James Monroe Števko
James Monroe Števko (Mendl/Ensemble) is a NYC-based actor and dancer. As an original cast member of Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish, he is now a stager for the Jerome Robbins Trust, staging the choreography of Jerome Robbins nationally. He is currently also a dancer at the Metropolitan Opera. His other credits include: The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, The Lyric Opera of Chicago, The MUNY, Milwaukee Ballet. Having started dance at the late age of 18, he is inspired to teach and mentor upcoming artists as a master teacher. Features in: DenníkN, Nový Čas, DanceTeacher Magazine, DanceInforma, NY1 and more. @jmstevko jmstevko.com
Mikhl Yashinsky
Mikhl Yashinsky (Nokhem/Mordkhe/Ensemble) Actor, playwright, translator, teacher. Born: Detroit. Bachelor’s degree: Harvard (History and Literature). His The Gospel According to Chaim (New Yiddish Rep, 2023–24) was hailed as a rare new Yiddish play, one that “jolted the repertoire with a work that is both traditional and delightfully subversive” and his new musical Feast of the Seven Sinners praised as “a saucy spectacle which sprouts excitingly unorthodox fruit” (Forward). With National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene, he performed in the original New York cast of the Yiddish Fiddler (Drama Desk Award – Outstanding Musical Revival), as well as Amid Falling Walls (Drama Desk – Outstanding Musical Revue) and The Sorceress (New York Times “Critic’s Pick”), in which Mikhl played the title role as a “keen, if malevolent, psychologist” (NYT). His translations The Mother of Yiddish Theatre: Memoirs of Ester-Rokhl Kaminska and Adventures of Max Spitzkopf: The Yiddish Sherlock Holmes are forthcoming from Bloomsbury and White Goat Press. instagram.com/mikhldarling
John Reed
John Reed (Avrom/Ensemble) is honored to be a part of this company! Off-Broadway: Amid Falling Walls (NYTF). US regional theater: Guys and Dolls, Something Rotten, Fiddler On The Roof, A Chorus Line, Tootsie, and 42nd Street. Australian theater: Funny Girl, Merrily We Roll Along, Jesus Christ Superstar, West Side Story, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Romeo and Juliet, King Lear. Huge thanks to NYTF, Zalmen, Motl, Joel Grey and my family. For Papa and Eeya, Dad and Sluggo. L’Chaim!
Lauren Jeanne Thomas
Lauren Jeanne Thomas (Fiddler) is an actor, multi-instrumentalist, and one-woman band (Fiddler on the Loop) based in NYC. She has been Fiddler since the show’s Off-Broadway premiere in 2018, and is thrilled to rejoin her Fiddler family for this very special concert. Additional credits include: Beau (Off-Bway, OOTB); The Goree All-Girl String Band (Off-Bway, NYMF); Once (Bway Nat’l Tour); Comedy of Errors (Shakespeare Theater Company); Hester Street (Theater J, world premiere). Lauren’s part of an all-women multi-instrumentalist country/folk show called Americana Women (@americanawomenshow). Training: Boston University: BFA Acting; LAMDA. Endless love and gratitude to this company! Instagram: @taurenlhomas LaurenJThomas.com
Ensemble
Gallery
