“We wanted to put on a family-friendly classic that the community would enjoy,” said Director Caitlin Webster.

Fiddler on the Roof is Webster’s third show directing for the Warren Players, and she was excited to bring a show with a rich history and message to the Library Theatre stage.

Fiddler on the Roof is based on a series of stories by Sholem Aleichem that he wrote in Yiddish between 1894 and 1914 about Jewish life in a village in Imperial Russia at the turn of the 20th century. The stories are based on Aleichem’s upbringing near modern-day Kyiv (fictionalized as Yehupetz).

“Fiddler has a timely message of humanity and continuing tradition when displaced due to geopolitical issues,” said Webster. “It is about human rights, and not necessarily religion but culture and how the destruction of people’s homes leads to the loss of tradition.”

Photos by Allan Branthoover The cast of Fiddler on the Roof rehearsing choreography for the upcoming show.

With the fictional village linked to Ukraine, the Warren Players thought it appropriate to tie their fundraiser for the show to the new non-profit, the Warren Area Refugee Resettlement Network (WARRN).

“We will be selling sunflowers to benefit WARRN; audience members can purchase them as a keepsake or send one to a cast member with a message at the show,” said Webster.

With a cast of around 35, complicated choreography, and a wide age range of the cast, Fiddler on the Roof is a challenging show to undertake.

“This town is an absolute hotbed for talent. It doesn’t make sense with the small population to have such talent concentrated in our area,” said Webster. Our youngest cast member is seven years old. I want to foster young people’s love for the theater and give them opportunities. Amanda Beil has done a phenomenal job with the choreography. It isn’t easy choreography, and she made it accessible and fun for the cast.”

Opportunities to see Fiddler on the Roof begin Thursday at 7 p.m. with shows at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. On Sunday there will be a 2 p.m. matinee. Tickets are available online at Struthers Library Theatre until two hours before each performance or by calling 814-723-7231. Tickets are available one hour before show time at the theatre’s box office. The tickets cost $22 for adults, $20 for seniors ages 65 and over, $18 for students, and children five and under are free.