CENTERVILLE—Tradition – it’s what guides the little Russian town of Anatevka. Without tradition it’s like being on the precarious perch of a “Fiddler on the Roof.” The beloved classic is playing now at the CenterPoint Theatre.

The story unfolds with Tevye, a poor Jewish milkman and his wife Golde and their five daughters. The town is steeped in tradition and Tevye is steadfast in his ways but things don’t always go as planned and Tevye is soon faced with what he believes and the changing world outside of Anatevka.

Well-known songs such as “Tradition,” “Matchmaker,” “If I Were a Rich Man” and “Sunrise, Sunset,” bring “Fiddler on the Roof” to life. 

As is the custom, Tevye’s daughters, Tzeitel, Hodel, Chava, Shprintze and Bielke will be expected to marry a man found by the town’s matchmaker – whether they like him or not. But his oldest daughter Tzeitel is secretly in love with the Motel, the tailor and wants nothing to do with the matchmaker’s match to marry widowed Lazar Wolf – the wealthy local butcher, who is older than Tevye.

As Motel gets up the courage to tell Tevye he wants to marry his daughter, Tevye is at the local inn making an agreement with Lazar to wed Tzeitel. When she finds out, she pleads with her father to reconsider and not make her marry Lazar. Tevye is torn between tradition and his daughter’s happiness.

When Perchik, a student from the university in Kyiv comes to the village and offers to tutor Tevye’s youngest daughters, Tevye takes a liking to him even though he is a bit of a radical, warning them that the world is changing and they have to change with it to survive. 

Tevye’s second daughter Hodel and Perchik start spending time with each other. He introduces her to dancing with a man which has been forbidden in their Jewish culture. Soon they fall in love and go to Tevye for his blessing – not permission. Again, he is faced with the dilemma of his faith and love for his daughter.

In the meantime, unrest is brewing and Russian soldiers march into Anatevka and ruin Tzeitel’s wedding, tearing up the traditional canopy and destroying the wedding table. 

Time passes and when some gentile youths start teasing Tevye’s third daughter Chava in the street, one of them, Fyedka, stands up for her and before long he wins her heart. When Chava tries to talk to her father about marrying Fyedka Tevye is angry and sick over her decision to leave their faith in order to be with Fyedka.

Somehow, everything Tevye holds dear starts to fall apart. He must decide between the traditions he loves and the family he loves.

The cast is led by Tevye, played by Danny Inkley (MWF) who is also the executive director of CPT. Inkley’s heartfelt portrayal of Tevye gives a glimpse into the man’s devotion to his Jewish faith and what his life is becoming. Tevye’s wife Golde played by Wendy Inkley (MWF) keeps Tevye in line while still recognizing him as the man of the house. The ensemble of other cast members rounds out the show with upbeat music and tender moments.

“Fiddler on the Roof,” is a delightful musical with joys and sorrows that will leave audiences thinking about their own beliefs as they leave the theater.

The show runs now through June 18 Monday – Saturday at 7:30 p.m. with some Saturday matinees. Ticket prices range from $35-$50 and can be purchased online at https://www.centerpointtheatre.org/ or at the Box Office, 801-298-1302. CenterPoint Theatre is located at 525 N. 400 West, Centerville.