FIDDLER ON THE ROOF Opens National Tour In Providence 2/10

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, heralded as one of the great masterpieces in American Musical Theatre, is embarking on its National Tour, which will officially open in Providence. This landmark production, featuring the star of the original motion picture, Chaim Topol, in his farewell performances, will have two preview performances at the Dupont Theatre in Wilmington, Delaware before it begins a multi-city tour that kicks off officially on February 10 at the Providence Performing Arts Center. Based on the stories of Sholom Aleichem, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF is a family musical about the bonds that hold husbands and wives and parents and children together in times of hardship and times of joy.

In what is a huge theatrical feat, PPAC audiences will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see Chaim Topol play Tevye for the last time in his farewell performances of the award-winning role that made him legendary in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. Topol joins this tour on the heels of a successful, short tour in the South Pacific. After first playing the role of Tevye onstage in 1967, Topol starred in the film version, garnering a Golden Globe Award and an Oscar nomination in the Best Actor category. In 1983, he reprised the role of Tevye in a London revival and in 1990 he again played the part in a Broadway revival, for which he received a Tony Award nomination for Best Leading Actor in a Musical.

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF performance times are Tuesday, February 10 at 7:00P, Wednesday, February 11 at 7:30P, Thursday, February 12 at 7:30P, Friday, February 13 at 8:00P, Saturday, February 14 at 2:00P & 8:00P, and Sunday, February 15 at 1:00 & 6:30P. Tickets for FIDDLER ON THE ROOF are $70, $65, $63, $58, $53, $48, $43; all ticket prices include a $3 per ticket restoration charge. Tickets for all shows can be purchased at PPAC's Box Office window, or by calling (401) 421-ARTS, Monday - Friday from 10A - 5P and Saturdays from 10A - 2P; or visit www.ppacri.org to purchase tickets any time. Discounted admission is available for groups of 20 or more; for more information, email Paul Hiatt at phiatt@ppacri.org or call (401) 574-3162.

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF has received a warm welcome on stages around the world since its debut. From Broadway to Finland to Japan to Mexico to South Africa, the lovable, engaging milkman named Tevye has delighted audiences with his comical and wise observations on the family, marriage, and traditions. Its score, written by composer Jerry Bock and lyricist Sheldon Harnick, is comprised of a string of hits including "Sunrise, Sunset," "Matchmaker, Matchmaker," "If I Were A Rich Man," and "Do You Love Me?" FIDDLER ON THE ROOF enjoyed renewed success in its recent revival, proving that this show, with its universal themes, transcends the times in which it was written and is destined to be a favorite for generations.

Faithfully recreating Jerome Robbins' award-winning direction and choreography for this tour is Director Sammy Dallas Bayes, choreographer of the Broadway revival. In 1964 Jerome Robbins won matching Tony Awards for his direction and choreography of Broadway's FIDDLER ON THE ROOF.

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF is part of the 2008/2009 Broadway Series sponsored by Citizens Bank.

Log on to www.ppacri.org for more information about the 2008/2009 season.