Harvey Fierstein Replaces Injured Topol in Fiddler on the Roof Tour

Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein is joining the North American tour of Fiddler on the Roof, assuming the leading role of Tevye, which he first played on Broadway to great acclaim in 2005. Original tour star Topol has been forced to leave the production, which started in August, due to a shoulder injury requiring emergency long-term treatment. Fierstein’s start date has not been determined, but he is expected to play the tour’s upcoming run at Toronto’s Canon Theatre starting December 8, 2009.

“What actor could turn down a chance to play Tevye again?” Fierstein said. “Certainly not me! I send my love and admiration to Chaim Topol. I saw his performance and was enchanted. And I send my heartfelt greetings to the rest of the cast and crew and beg them to go gentle on this old fool who dares to take on what is arguably the greatest and most demanding role in the American musical canon. And, as long as I'm at it, I'd like to send my most humble thanks to the creators of this magnificent show who have once again entrusted their precious child to me. I pledge to do my best to make you proud!”

Fierstein is a four-time Tony winner, having won prizes in four different categories: Best Play and Best Actor in a Play for Torch Song Trilogy, Best Book of a Musical for La Cage aux Folles and Best Actor in a Musical for Hairspray. He played Tevye in the most recent Broadway revival of Fiddler on the Roof for a year, and was most recently seen as Uncle Winston in the musical A Catered Affair, for which he also wrote the libretto.

Fiddler on the Roof is currently playing at The Opera House in Boston, MA through November 15. The Troika Entertainment tour will play Shea’s Buffalo Theatre in Buffalo, NY prior to arriving in Toronto. Standby John Preece is expected to play the part of Tevye prior to Fierstein’s arrival. For a full list of tour dates, click here.