Help Regarding Size of a Role in Fiddler

[LyTeMyCanDyI]

Posted: 2/7/08 at 1:35am

My friend was just cast in Fiddler as Mordachai the Innkeeper. I know this role isn't a large one, but I wanted to know if there are any small solos within a song or anything like that for this role. Also, what songs does this role get to sing? Thanks :)

[philcrosby]

Posted: 2/7/08 at 10:48am

None. It's a very small role and appears only in the tavern scene. He would be part of the group singing "To Life!" and I would imagine he would have additional chorus assignments throughout the show.

[WOSQ]

Posted: 2/7/08 at 11:45am

However since the wedding takes place at his inn, he runs that whole scene and is onstage the entire time.

The townspeople are often in all the town scenes sometimes just as set dressing. When I played Mordcha back when Lincoln was president I also did Tradition, Sabbath Prayer, To Life, Tevye's Dream plus was onstage for a whole lot of book scenes.

He sings not a note of his own as written in the show, but I managed to grab one in the Dream since I could hit those low notes.

[Calvin]

Posted: 2/7/08 at 11:51am

Yeah, I'm pretty sure our Mordcha did just about every full chorus number, so that would be the ones WOSQ listed along with "Sunrise, Sunset" and "Anatevka."

But yeah, no specific solos, although he does have a spoken bit during "To Life." I think. I wasn't in that number.

Enjoy it. It's a good ensemble show.
Updated On: 2/7/08 at 11:51 AM

[CapnHook]

Posted: 2/7/08 at 12:15pm

CORRECTION! He DOES get to sing, if the actor wishes to improv it.

During the wedding scene, Tevye and Lazar get into a scuffle just after Mordcha announces he has prepared a song for the bride and groom. The entire wedding party goes nuts and Mordcha screams out "Quiet! I'm singing!" Within all that mess, the actor could try to sing his song over the crowd's arguing.

Also, he is written into and has lines in other scenes as well, such as "new arrival" scene.

[LyTeMyCanDyI]

Posted: 2/7/08 at 12:37pm

Thanks guys! I'm glad that he has something to do other than blend in. I've never gotten to see him perform ever; i've always been in the cast with him so I'm glad I'll get to see some of what he's got from the audience side.