Mr. Kumagrin was not at school on The Smart Squad’s first day. Instead, a willowy woman stood at the front of the class. On the whiteboard, beautiful script was written that identified the woman. It read,

I am Madame Jules Pembroke. I will be teaching your class today; we shall continue studying plays. Your teacher- Kumagrin- has left lesson plans. Please go to your seats.

Lee, Jaff, and Rai slid into some seats in the back after reading the board, and to their relief, Aydeen sat up front with some of the other guys. Madame Jules cleared her throat and said in a wispy voice,

“Today, your teacher wants us to start working on your semester project. You will be performing Fiddler on the Roof. Here is the cast list. I am going to have each of you read a line and will put you in roles based on that.” She revealed another white board on which Mr. Kumagrin’s handwriting showed. They each read a line, and then Madame Jules assigned them parts.

Fiddler on the Roof

Tevye: As the narrator and main character of this story, Tevye is the father of five daughters, an impoverished milkman, a leader in his Jewish community, and husband to the headstrong Golde. He is faced with struggles to uphold the traditions of his people, especially through the marriages of his daughters.
Actor: Junior Browning
Golde: As Tevye’s wife of twenty-five years and mother of his five daughters, Golde is an efficient helpmate and traditionalist, faced with changes of a “new world.” She has a sharp tongue and wit. Her love of family helps her face the challenges that her family encounters.
Actress: Melody Dillon
Tzeitel: Tevye and Golde’s eldest daughter, Tzeitel is about twenty years old and in love with Motel, whom she eventually marries instead of Lazar Wolf.
Actress: Tabby Carter
Hodel: Tevye and Golde’s second daughter, Hodel falls in love with Perchik and they defy tradition by not seeking her father’s permission to marry, only his blessing. Later, she leaves Anatevka for Siberia to be with the imprisoned Perchik.
Actress: Ella Fischer
Chava: Tevye and Golde’s third daughter, Chava falls in love with Fyedka, a Russian, and is ordered to “never see him again.” They elope and her family disowns her, until the end when Tevye momentarily acknowledges them.
Actress: Shellie Loyd
Shprintze: Tevye and Golde’s fourth daughter
Actress: Thema O’Brien
Bielke: Tevye and Golde’s youngest daughter
Actress: Anita Russell
Yente: The village’s matchmaker and busybody
Actress: Vanessa Higgins
Motel Kamzoil: An impoverished tailor and secretly pledged to Tzeitel, Motel gathers the courage to ask Tevye for her hand in marriage. He feels “even a poor tailor is entitled to some happiness.” They marry and start a family, which also includes the “new arrival” of a sewing machine.
Actor: Mickey Cannon
Perchik: A radical student from Kiev and later Hodel’s husband, Perchik leaves Anatevka to work for the revolution in Kiev. He is arrested and sent to prison in Siberia.
Actor: Aydeen-Jay McLaughlin
Lazar Wolf: A rich butcher, widower of Fruma-Sarah, and the man Yente the matchmaker sets as a match for Tzeitel
Actor: Jeff Danson
Rabbi: Anatevka’s Jewish spiritual leader
Actor: Jack Archer
Grandma Tzeitel: Golde’s late grandmother
Actress: Jemima Stevens
Constable: A local Russian official, the constable, though he has a good relationship with Tevye, follows his orders to perform an “unofficial demonstration” during Tzeitel and Motel’s wedding, and then forces all the Jewish villagers to leave Anatevka.
Actor: Felix Schaefer
Fyedka: A Russian villager and later Chava’s husband
Actor: Karl Barton
Rai couldn’t help herself. She squealed in delight! Lee was going to play her stage husband! Of course, they would have to pretend like they did not know each other, but at least it wasn’t Aydeen. When she was sure Aydeen wasn’t looking, she passed Lee a note.
This is exciting! Love you ❤
Don’t act too excited. We need Aydeen to like you! Oh, what am I saying. I love you too.
Rai almost laughed aloud when she read his note back. When they were told to work on parts with their partners, Lee and Rai walked over to the side and started reading through their lines.
“Are you alright, Chava?”
“Yes, Fyedka. Fyedka…”
Neither of them had many lines, but since they knew each other well, they were able to easily master the presence they had to have on stage. Aydeen watched Lee and Rai with a covetous look on his face. When Lee had to spin Rai around in a circle, Rai let out a laugh and so did Lee.
“Good touch!” Madame Jules called. “Chava will be excited to meet Fyedka. I like the giggle!” Aydeen shot a glare at Lee. Lee quickly let go of Rai’s hand and stepped back. She shot him a questioning glance and he motioned with his eyes towards Aydeen. Understanding dawned in her eyes. Then the bell rang, and Rai and Lee split, trying to seem indifferent to each other. The minute Lee left, Aydeen swooped in on Rai, slipping an arm around her shoulders.
“I wish you were Hodel, not Chava,” he said.
“Yeah, me too,” Rai lied. She shuddered a little, but it was slight enough that Aydeen did not notice. Aydeen walked Rai to her study hall. She started to open the door but then turned to say goodbye. When she did, Aydeen leaned down, lightly kissed her, and then backpedaled away. Rai stood there in shock, trying to get over the fact that this boy she had just met had decided that she might want to kiss him. Shaking her head, she pushed it aside and headed into class.