BETHLEHEM — The Act Association of the Abbey of Regina Laudis will present Fiddler on the Roof during the first two weekends of August.

A compelling story about family, perseverance, courage and love, the stage version of Fiddler on the Roof has been seen by over thirty million people worldwide. Based on the stories of the Yiddish writer Sholem Aleichem, with the book by Joseph Stein, music and lyrics by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick, Fiddler was first produced on the New York stage by Harold Prince and directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins.

Set in a small Jewish village in the Russian Ukraine around the turn of the 20th Century, this musical presents a powerful and sweeping story of a family faced with many challenges and hardships, whose answer to these struggles is unselfish love. The musical score is captivating, energetic and inspiring.

The characters of Tevye, the dairyman and Golde, his irrepressible wife, Yente the matchmaker, Lazar Wolf the butcher, and Perchik, the revolutionary, are colorful and very human. Their struggles and joys are universal, making this a great story for the whole family.

Combining a cast of veteran performers and newcomers to the Act Association, the Bethlehem production will feature Thomas Camm as Tevye, Sarah Robards as Golde, Rob Iulo as Perchik, Shannon Cerruto as Tzeitel, Max Monti-Bovi as Motel, Gene Gerety as Lazar Wolf, Molly Shields as Yente, Lori Niquette and Elizabeth Peterson sharing the role of Hodel, Adrienne Camm as Chava and Scott Savner as Fyedka.

Fiddler on the Roof is being directed and choreographed by Sally Camm, with musical direction by Craig Hartley.

Performances will be in The Gary-The Olivia Theater at The Abbey of Regina Laudis. Built in 1986 with the help of actress Patricia Neal, the open air theater seats 250 people. Past productions have ranged from Shakespeare to Sartre and from opera to musical theater.  Recent productions include Love Letters starring Ms Neal and James Douglas, She Stoops to Conquer directed by Pirie MacDonald, My Fair Lady (2005) and The Music Man (2006).

Performance dates will be August 3-4 and 9-11 at 7:30 pm, and Sundays, August 5 and 12, at 2:30 pm. A suggested gift offering to the Abbey of Regina Laudis is $15.

For more information call 203-273-5669 or send e-mail to FiddlerOnTheRoof2@mac.com. The abbey and its Gary-Olivia Theater are on Flanders Road; signs will be posted to help with parking.