The Classic ‘Fiddler’ Takes the Stage at Axelrod

DEAL PARK – Bruce Sabath, who portrayed Tevye in director Joel Grey’s Off Broadway production of “Fiddler on the Roof” – in Yiddish – will embody the character once again – in English – when the Axelrod Performing Arts Center presents “Fiddler on the Roof” Nov. 1-24. The classic musical is based on Yiddish author and playwright Sholem Aleichem’s stories, with a book by Joseph Stein, music by Jerry Bock and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick.

“It’s a real joy to be able to come back to Anatevka,” said Sabath.

It was a long and winding road that brought Sabath to acting in the first place. He performed in “Fiddler” in both his high school and college productions and as much as he loved acting, he never thought it was something he could do for a living. So the Rochester, New York, native took a traditional career path; he earned an MBA and worked in finance and corporate strategy. He never lost the acting bug though, and when he became increasingly unhappy in his job, his wife convinced him to pursue his passion. He spent two years studying with some of the best acting teachers in the business. He found work in film, commercials, television programs such as “Madam Secretary” and “The Blacklist” and even starred on Broadway in “Company.” READ MORE