Fiddler on the Roof at A.C.T. of Connecticut - a reflection by Ridgefield resident Andy Sternlieb.
My wife, Robin, and I saw Fiddler on the Roof at A.C.T. of Connecticut on Valentine’s Day. When we moved to Ridgefield from North Salem almost two years ago, we decided to get involved locally and take advantage of the fantastic cultural and artistic opportunities that Ridgefield has to offer. Despite living just eight miles away in New York, we had never fully immersed ourselves in Ridgefield’s vibrant arts scene.
One of the first things we did was get season tickets for A.C.T.—what a joy! And what a surprise! The talent, the staging, and the artistry of every production we’ve seen have been absolutely amazing. This season, we were especially looking forward to Fiddler on the Roof, a show I first saw on Broadway as a child when Zero Mostel starred as Tevye.
When I read in a local publication about the upcoming production—specifically Daniel C. Levine’s vision for the show, featuring the largest cast in A.C.T.’s history, with all actors remaining on stage the entire time—I wondered, How the hell is he going to pull that off? Well, Dan did it. And it was magnificent. The acting, the music, the singing, the dancing, the staging, the directing—just beautiful. Every time we see a show at A.C.T., I wonder how they’ll incorporate the turntable. And once again, it worked seamlessly. It was stunning. We are so lucky to have such extraordinary theater right here in Ridgefield.
When the show ended, the audience erupted into a well-deserved standing ovation. But as the applause faded, I felt something else—anxiety, unease. Fiddler on the Roof is a beloved musical about a time long past, yet its themes remain deeply unsettling.
My grandparents and Robin’s grandparents came from places just like Tevye’s village. They lived through the same struggles. When I was growing up in Englewood, NJ, which had a strong and vibrant Jewish community, antisemitism was always lurking beneath the surface—not all-consuming, but undeniably present. There were country clubs that wouldn’t accept Jewish members. Certain political circles were unwelcoming. I remember walking to synagogue on the High Holy Days, only to hear kids yelling antisemitic slurs from the school windows.
Seeing A.C.T.’s brilliant production of Fiddler brought back all those mixed emotions from my youth—now amplified by today’s realities. Antisemitism has always existed, but for most of my life, it felt like a shadow, something distant. Then came October 7, 2023—the massacre in Israel, the war in Gaza, and the sudden, shocking rise in antisemitism worldwide.
Every Jew has encountered antisemitism at some point. But in the past, these were isolated incidents, condemned by society. Now, it’s everywhere.
As we exited the theater, a non-Jewish friend stopped us and asked what we thought of the show—not just about the performances, but with a deeper, more personal meaning. The question wasn’t Did you enjoy it? but rather Are you okay?
I’ll tell you how I felt. As the show ended, I stood, clapping, shouting Bravo! because it was a truly great production, and the cast, crew, director, and musicians deserved every bit of praise. And at the same time, I was crying—because like Tevye, I am a Jew, and I am living through the most antisemitic period of my life.
I am grateful to my friend for recognizing the weight of that moment. I never imagined that at nearly 72 years old, I would be facing this again.
My name is Andy Sternlieb—Avi ben Moshe—a mostly secular, non-religious Jew who is, nonetheless, a proud Jew.
And I will prevail.
*Photo shows Andy and his wife, Robin, walking down Third Avenue in NYC after their wedding in 1981.
A.C.T. of Connecticut's Fiddler on the Roof runs through March 9. For tickets, visit https://www.actofct.org/fiddler-on-the-roof