Rosie O'Donnell returns to Broadway as Golde in 'Fiddler On The Roof'

Twelve-time Emmy Award winner Rosie O'Donnell returns to Broadway on the 20 Sep 2005 as Golde, starring opposite five-time Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein as Tevye in the revival of Fiddler On The Roof at Broadway's Minskoff Theatre.

"As a twenty year friend of Rosie's, I couldn't be happier that we will finally share a stage together," said Harvey Fierstein. "With her understanding of Fiddler's important place in theatrical history, I am positive she will uphold that tradition excitingly."

Ms. O'Donnell made her Broadway debut in 1994 starring as Rizzo in Tommy Tune's revival of Grease. In 2001, she returned to Broadway to star as The Cat in the Hat in Seussical. In 2003, Ms. O'Donnell produced Boy George's autobiographical musical, Taboo, on Broadway. For six years Ms O'Donnell was the host and executive producer of the critically acclaimed, nationally syndicated talk/variety series The Rosie O'Donnell Show (six-time Daytime Emmy Award winner for Outstanding Talk Show Host and five-time winner for Outstanding Talk Show). Most recently she starred in the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, Riding The Bus With my Sister.

The cast for Fiddler On The Roof includes: Harvey Fierstein (Tevya), Lori Wilner (Golde to the 19 Sep 2005 - Rosie O'Donnell from the 20 Sep 2005), Nancy Opel (Yente), Sally Murphy (Tzeitel), Laura Michelle Kelly (Hodel), Tricia Paoluccio (Chava), Peter Matthew Smith (Motel), Paul Anthony Stewart (Perchik), David Ayers (Fyedka), Stephen Lee Anderson (Constable), David Wohl (Lazar Wolf), Nick Danielson (Fiddler)

The musical opened at the Minskoff Theatre on the 26 Feb 2004, following previews from the 23 Jan 2004, it recently posted closing notices for the 8 Jan 2006.

When Fiddler On The Roof closes on the 8 Jan 2006 it will have played 817 performances, making it the longest running Broadway revival of Fiddler On The Roof and the 12th longest running revival in Broadway history.

Directed by David Leveaux, with Jerome Robbins' original Tony Award-winning choreography, Fiddler On The Roof has a book by Joseph Stein, music by Jerry Bock, and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick.

Fiddler On The Roof is produced by James L. Nederlander, Stewart F. Lane/ Bonnie Comley, Harbor Entertainment, Terry Allen Kramer, Bob Boyett/Lawrence Horowitz and Clear Channel Entertainment.

The original Broadway production of Fiddler On The Roof won eight 1965 Tony Awards including Best Musical and played 3,249 performances, making Broadway history as the longest running Broadway show of the time. The original Broadway production now holds the honor of 12th longest running show in Broadway history.