Fiddler on the Roof is one of the most beloved and well-known Broadway musicals of all time. With music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, and book by Joseph Stein, Fiddler first premiered on Broadway in 1964 and went on to win nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Based on the stories of Sholem Aleichem, Fiddler tells the story of Tevye, a poor Jewish milkman living in the village of Anatevka in Czarist Russia at the turn of the 20th century. At its heart, Fiddler is about tradition, family, love, and the challenges of adapting to a changing world.
The Original Broadway Production
Fiddler on the Roof opened on Broadway at the Imperial Theatre on September 22, 1964. The original production was directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins, with Zero Mostel originating the lead role of Tevye. Fiddler became an instant hit with critics and audiences alike. It ran for 3,242 performances, setting a record as the longest-running Broadway musical at the time. Fiddler held that record for nearly 10 years until it was surpassed by Grease in 1979.
The original Broadway production of Fiddler on the Roof had a running time of approximately 3 hours, including one intermission. Here is a breakdown of the show’s length:
Act 1
– 1 hour, 15 minutes of performance time
Intermission
– 15 minute intermission
Act 2
– 1 hour, 15 minutes of performance time
So in total, the original Broadway production of Fiddler on the Roof had about 2 and a half hours of actual show content, plus a standard 15 minute intermission. This three hour running time was typical for a Broadway musical in the 1960s.
Subsequent Broadway Revivals
After its record-breaking original run, Fiddler on the Roof has been revived multiple times on Broadway. Here is a look at the running times for some of the major Broadway revivals of Fiddler:
1976 Broadway Revival
– Ran for 176 performances
– Approximately 3 hours with intermission
1981 Broadway Revival
– Ran for 53 performances
– Approximately 3 hours with intermission
1990 Broadway Revival
– Ran for 241 performances
– Approximately 2 hours, 55 minutes with intermission
2004 Broadway Revival
– Ran for 36 previews and 781 regular performances
– Approximately 2 hours, 55 minutes with intermission
2015 Broadway Revival
– Currently running
– Approximately 3 hours with intermission
As we can see, most major Broadway revivals of Fiddler on the Roof have had a similar runtime of close to 3 hours including intermission. There is some variation, with some productions shaving off 5-10 minutes or so. But overall, Fiddler has maintained a standard Broadway running time throughout its various revivals.
Notable Productions in London and Elsewhere
In addition to its multiple Broadway revivals, Fiddler on the Roof has been produced all over the world. Here are the running times for some other major productions:
Original London Production, 1967
– Ran for 2,030 performances
– Approximately 3 hours long with intermission
West End Revival, 1983
– Ran for 106 performances
– Approximately 3 hours long with intermission
West End Revival, 1994
– Ran for 2 years
– Approximately 3 hours long with intermission
West End Revival, 2007
– Ran for about 1 year
– Approximately 3 hours long with intermission
So in London’s West End, we see a similar pattern of Fiddler running for around 3 hours total including an intermission.
There have also been successful productions of Fiddler in places like Australia and Japan over the years. Running times have varied, but have mostly stayed between 2 hours 45 minutes and 3 hours total.
The exception is when productions make significant cuts to shorten the running time. For example, a U.S. national tour in the 1980s ran closer to 2 hours and 15 minutes by cutting about 45 minutes of material. Similarly, a 2014 production in Tokyo shortened the show to 2 hours and 30 minutes. But for most full-scale productions, Fiddler on the Roof runs around 3 hours with intermission.
Movie Adaptations
Fiddler on the Roof has been adapted into two popular feature films:
1971 Film
– Directed by Norman Jewison
– Starred Chaim Topol as Tevye
– Length: 181 minutes (3 hours, 1 minute)
Television Film, 1981
– Directed by Arnold Perl
– Starred Topol as Tevye
– Length: 143 minutes (2 hours, 23 minutes)
As we can see, the 1971 film version of Fiddler clocked in at nearly 3 hours, similar to the full stage musical. The 1981 made-for-television version trimmed the story down to just over 2 hours by cutting some songs and scenes.
Conclusion
In summary, the beloved Broadway musical Fiddler on the Roof typically runs between 2 hours 45 minutes and 3 hours in total length, including a 15 minute intermission. This running time of just about 3 hours has been consistent throughout the show’s original 1964 Broadway production as well as multiple Broadway revivals, West End productions, international productions, and the 1971 film adaptation. With iconic songs like “Tradition,” “Matchmaker,” and “Sunrise, Sunset,” and its humorous yet heartwarming portrayal of family and tradition, Fiddler remains one of the most universally popular musicals over 50 years after its premiere. Its standard 3 hour running time allows audiences to fully enjoy the classic story of Tevye and the denizens of Anatevka.