On Tuesday, April 18, Fiddler on the Roof is coming to the Eisenhower Auditorium on its national tour. The audience can expect an authentic retelling of this timeless classic from Tony Award-Winning Director Bartlett Sher who emphasizes telling the story in a way that is funny, light-hearted at times, but most importantly: true to its culture, tradition and source materials by Sholem Aleichem, Tevye and his Daughters (or Tevye the Dairyman).

The timeless production will portray a Jewish community in Anatevka who are devoted to two things: God and tradition. Every piece of the production is beautifully enhanced in this rendition by a dynamic cast, familiar music, and Israeli choreographer Hofesh Shechter, whose choreography is both true to the original by Jerome Robbins yet steeped in his Israeli heritage and deeply rooted in tradition.

Lead actor Jonathan Hashmonay brings multiple layers of relevance to the University Park performance. He is a native of Israel as well as a 2009 graduate of Penn State’s Musical Theatre Program. He saw Fiddler on the Roof on Broadway in 2016 and completely fell in love with it.

“Coming from Israel to the musical theatre program at Penn State and then coming to perform there professionally… insane,” Hashmonay says. “It’s the dream.”

Fiddler on the Roof is woven into Hashmonay’s family history as well. It was his great-grandfather’s favorite musical, and the music therein is something Hashmonay has been exposed to since childhood.

“Getting to perform this role, from my favorite musical, my favorite production… not to mention who Tevye signifies for me as someone who’s Jewish, for my family, there’s nothing quite like it,” Hashmonay explains. “It’s as if it’s always been part of your life. It feels like it’s a part of your DNA…their story is my story and my ancestor’s story, and it just feels like you’re portraying them on stage. You’re telling their story and giving meaning to their life… It’s incredible.”

Hashmonay’s grandparents will be making the trip from Israel to see him perform during his tour through Scranton, Pa. for what will undoubtedly be a moment to remember.

“Being able to perform for them will be incredibly special,” Hashmonay says.

The themes of family, love and tradition are just as relevant today as they were upon the play's initial debut in 1964 and they are highlighted in what Hashmonay calls “one of the most Jewish and Israeli moments of the play.” During the song Tradition, Tevye recounts the buying of a horse… or was it a mule? While Tevye assures it’s “no matter and all settled,” his community around him begins choosing sides—half saying, “It was a horse!” and half saying, “It was a mule!” They argue, they fuss, they passionately disagree and then… “Eh.” Or in other words, let’s just move on and get back to tradition, tradition! Our neighbors are our neighbors and despite the bickering and disagreements, no matter how passionate, let’s get back to getting along. A piece of wisdom that transcends the decades since its original performance.

And while the themes are clear, the ultimate message of the production can be defined only by its audience.

“The most poignant and beautiful pieces of theatre leave [the message] for the audience to discover,” Hashmonay says. “Each audience member can take whatever they want from the production.”

For Hashmonay, playing Tevye has taught him to consider his own culture and how to bring Jewish traditions into his everyday life. It has reminded him how important they are and how traditions can “root you in reality and your ancestors and the feeling of placement in your community.” It’s been different than any other role he has played and certainly more meaningful with the connections to his life and heritage.

“There aren’t roles like Tevye anymore,” Hashmonay says. “So well-written and deep and meaningful and intricate... Getting to play Tevye in this masterpiece and a play that’s so meaningful and relevant to my life, [there’s] no comparison.”

The audience will fall in love with Tevye and his fight for balance between tradition, changing times and embracing the daughters he so dearly loves. The parallels between this nearly 60-year-old play and today’s current events are astonishingly relevant while providing a fresh perspective on seasoned cultural issues—it’s not one to miss! And as Hashmonay points out, what better way to experience a classic than in the way the story was meant to be shared—in its true form, as a musical?

Fiddler on the Roof will be performed at 7:30 pm on Tuesday, April 18, 2023 at Eisenhower Auditorium. You can purchase tickets at cpa.psu.edu/events/fiddler-roof.