Exchange: Fiddler on the Roof: Context and Creation
Schedule
Mon Jan 26 2026 at 01:00 pm to 03:00 pm
UTC-07:00Location
6007 Oreg Ave, Boulder, CO, United States, Colorado 80303 | Boulder, CO
Instructor: Sarah Nowak and Rabbi Marc Soloway
There is no other musical that has captured the curiosity of the world than Fiddler on the Roof. It has been part of the Jewish American zeitgeist since its Broadway premiere in 1964. The narrative is based on a series of stories by Sholem Aleichem written in Yiddish between 1894 and 1914.
How much do we really know about the historical context and creation of this musical? While much of the tale was based on Aleichem’s own upbringing near Kyiv, what do we know about the goings on in Imperial Russia at the turn of the century? The upcoming Fiddler performance at The Dairy runs from January 15-26. It stars Rabbi Marc Soloway. Join us for a deep dive into the history and artistry of this most beloved story and gain a deeper understanding of how it relates to today.
About your instructors
Sarah Nowak is the director of the Etz Chaim School at Nevei Kodesh and has been directing theater for nearly 20 years. She is the director of the upcoming performance.
Rabbi Marc Soloway has been the Spiritual Leader of Congregation Bonai Shalom in Boulder since 2004. He was an actor/storyteller/complementary health practitioner in the UK, and he has narrated two PBS documentaries about Jewish communities in Ukraine. He is excited to be returning to the stage as Tevye in this collaborative production of Fiddler!
Where is it happening?
6007 Oreg Ave, Boulder, CO, United States, Colorado 80303Event Location & Nearby Stays:



















