Video: 'Zero Mostel " If I Were a Rich Man " Fiddler on the Roof "'

(Tuesday, September 22, 1964, 7:00 p.m. EDT) — Fiddler on the Roof, the poignant and powerful musical that explores the struggles of a Jewish father to uphold his religious traditions amid the encroaching influences of the outside world, opened tonight on Broadway at the Imperial Theatre (located at 249 West 45th Street in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan) in New York City.

Directed and choreographed by the renowned Jerome Robbins, the production stars Zero Mostel as Tevye, the beleaguered milkman at the heart of the story.

Set in the Pale of Settlement of Imperial Russia around 1905, the musical is an adaptation of Sholem Aleichem’s Tevye and His Daughters.

With music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, and a book by Joseph Stein, Fiddler on the Roof delves into the trials Tevye faces as his three eldest daughters defy tradition by choosing to marry for love, each making decisions that further challenge his faith and cultural practices.

Video: 'Fiddler on the Roof, Original Broadway Cast' (14 clips)

The narrative reaches a poignant climax as the tsar’s edict forces the Jewish community to leave their village of Anatevka.

The musical’s opening marked the beginning of what would become a historic run, totaling 3,242 performances—the first in Broadway history to surpass 3,000. Fiddler on the Roof would hold the record for the longest-running Broadway musical for nearly a decade until it was overtaken by Grease.

Critically acclaimed and commercially successful, Fiddler would win nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Score, Best Book, Best Direction, and Best Choreography.

The show’s impact extended beyond Broadway, spawning five revivals and a successful 1971 film adaptation while becoming a staple in school and community theater productions worldwide.

The musical’s enduring popularity continues to resonate with audiences, highlighting the universal themes of tradition, change, and resilience.