Note: ages listed are approximate and represent how the characters read onstage, not necessarily the ages of the performers. All auditioners for Beilke must be at least 10 years old on the day of auditions. Auditions for a Yeshiva Boy must be at least 12 years old on the day of auditions.

TEVYE, THE MILKMAN:

• A pious Jewish milkman who values tradition and faith above all else. He is the father of five daughters and navigates the changing social dynamics as his girls begin to challenge traditional customs. Tevye often speaks directly to God and the audience, showing a tender, vulnerable side. He is a robust character with a keen sense of humor, requiring an actor with comedic instincts and excellent storytelling skills. He is likable, hard-working, pious, positive, and usually relaxed, but when pushed he shows stubbornness and anger.
  • Gender: Male
  • Age: 45–55
  • Vocal Range: Baritone (Ab2–F5)

GOLDE, HIS WIFE:

• As Tevye’s wife of 25 years and mother to their five daughters, Golde is pragmatic, sharp-tongued, and resilient. She copes with their hardships with strength, grit, and a dry sense of humor. She deeply loves her family, and although she’s often exasperated by Tevye, there’s warmth and affection there. Requires a talented actress capable of conveying a range of emotions, with excellent comic timing and a strong voice.
  • Gender: Female
  • Age: 40–50
  • Vocal Range: Mezzo/Alto (A3–Eb5)

TZEITEL:

• Tevye and Golde’s eldest daughter. As the eldest in a poor family, she is expected to follow tradition into an arranged marriage with the butcher Lazar Wolf, a man old enough to be her father, but she is in love with Motel, the tailor, and desperately pleads with her father to let her marry him instead.
  • Gender: Female
  • Age: 20–26
  • Vocal Range: Soprano with strong chest voice (B3–D5)

HODEL:

• Tevye and Golde’s second daughter. She falls for an outsider, Perchik, who challenges their customs. She eventually leaves Anatevka to be with him in Siberia where is imprisoned for his reform activities, bidding her father a tearful goodbye at the train station.
  • Gender: Female
  • Age: 18–24
  • Vocal Range: Soprano with strong chest voice (B3–E5)

CHAVA:

• Tevye and Golde’s third daughter. She falls in love with a non-Jewish Russian, pushing her father’s tolerance to its limits. Some of her story is told in dance, so she must have strong ballet or lyrical/modern skills.
  • Gender: Female
  • Age: 16–20
  • Vocal Range: Soprano (B3–D5)

SHPRINTZE AND BEILKE:

• Tevye and Golde’s two youngest daughters. They take lessons from Perchik and see changes to their family up close.
  • Gender: Female
  • Age: 14 and 10, respectively
  • Vocal Range: Soprano (B3–D5)

MOTEL KAMZOIL, THE TAILOR:

• A timid and poor tailor who has been in love with Tzeitel since childhood. He transforms from a nervous but loveable character into a man who stands up for his love. He is endearing and kind-hearted, requiring an actor with strong comedic skills.
  • Gender: Male
  • Age: 20–25
  • Vocal Range: Tenor (E3–F#4)

PERCHIK, THE STUDENT:

• A passionate, intellectual student who challenges the norms of society and is not afraid to express his revolutionary ideas. He teaches Tevye’s youngest daughters, eventually falling in love with Hodel, and his influence leads her to challenge the traditions that bind her. Perchik requires an actor who can command attention.
  • Gender: Male
  • Age: 20–30
  • Vocal Range: Tenor (B2–E4)

FYEDKA, THE RUSSIAN SOLDIER:

• Fyedka is a young, Christian Russian. He is kind, tolerant, and stands against prejudice, representing change in the outer world. His love for Chava and respect for her faith shows his open-minded character. Depending on casting, this character may or may not also sing the tenor solo in “To Life” or be a featured Russian dancer. Requires a good actor who can use a Russian accent.
  • Gender: Male
  • Age: 18–25
  • Vocal Range: Tenor (B2–G4 if featured as soloist)

LAZAR WOLF, THE BUTCHER:

• A well-off local butcher and a widower, Lazar Wolfe is initially chosen by Tevye to marry Tzeitel. Lazar Wolf is a complex character, requiring a strong character actor with a powerful baritone voice.
  • Gender: Male
  • Age: 33–55
  • Vocal Range: Baritone (C3–F#4)

YENTE, THE MATCHMAKER:

• Yente is the village matchmaker and a busybody who loves to gossip. Despite her comedic character, she also represents the constraints of traditional society on women. This role requires a character actress with a knack for comedy and timing.
  • Gender: Female
  • Age: 50–70
  • Vocal Range: Mezzo/Alto (F3–F5)

THE CONSTABLE:

• A Russian military official stationed near Anatevka. He knows the villagers well and even likes some of them, especially Tevye. These superficial relationships do not prevent him from carrying out orders for violence against the Jewish villagers, however.
  • Gender: Male
  • Age: 35–60
  • Non Singing Role

SASHA AND BORIS:

• Fyedka’s fellow soldiers/friends. Double as bottle dancers.
  • Tenor: (B2–G4 if featured as soloist)

GRANDMA TZEITEL:

• Grandma Tzeitel is Golde’s deceased grandmother who appears as a ghost in Tevye’s Dream. She plays other parts in the ensemble as well.
  • Gender: Female
  • Age: 60–75
  • Vocal Range: Mezzo/Alto (C#4–D5)

FRUMA-SARAH:

• Lazar Wolf’s dead wife who appears as a ghost in Tevye’s Dream to warn him that if Tzeitel marries her husband dire results will befall the family. Her solo is a showstopper. She plays other parts in the ensemble as well.
  • Gender: Female
  • Age: 35–55
  • Vocal Range: Soprano (C4–Eb5)

PRIEST / RUSSIAN SOLOIST:

• Performs the wedding of Chava and Fyedka. May also sing the tenor solo in “To Life” (though this may also be assigned to Fyedka, Sasha, or Boris, depending on casting).
  • Gender: Male
  • Age: 20–50
  • Vocal Range: Tenor (B2–G4 if featured as soloist)

THE RABBI:

• Age: 40–70

MENDEL, THE RABBI’S SON:

• Age: 18–30

MORDCHA, THE INNKEEPER:

• Age: 30–65

AVRAM, THE BOOKSELLER:

• Age: 30–65

NACHUM, THE BEGGAR:

• Doubles as a bottle dancer.
  • Age: 20–45

YUSSEL, THE TOWN HATTER:

• Doubles as a bottle dancer.
  • Age: 20–45

SHAINDEL, MOTEL’S MOTHER:

• Age: 40–55

YESHIVA BOYS:

• Local boys from Hebrew School. Prospective matches for Shprintze and Beilke.
  • Ages: 16 and 12, respectively

THE FIDDLER:

• (Any age, male or female). Symbolizes instability. Plays the violin, preferably. Will also be a member of the ensemble. Ideally a good mover/dancer who is not afraid of heights.

‍