With iconic and beloved songs such as “Sunrise, Sunset,,” “If I Were a Rich Man” and “Matchmaker, Matchmaker,” “Fiddler on the Roof” is the perfect mix of humor and heart. Based on the book by Joseph Stein, music written by Jerry Bock with lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, “Fiddler” has become a musical tradition. It was last seen at Maine State Music Theatre (MSMT) in 1995 and is currently in its fifth Broadway revival. This production, under the direction of Gary John La Rosa, will run from July 20 through Aug. 6.

Set in the little village of Anatevka, the story centers on a poor dairyman named Tevye and his five daughters. With the help of a colorful and tight-knit Jewish community, Tevye tries to protect his daughters and instill their traditional values in the face of changing social mores and the growing anti-Semitism of Czarist Russia. Fiddler on the Roof cuts across barriers of race, class, nationality, and religion – making this show a staple in musical theater.

Bill Nolte will be stepping into the time-honored role of Tevye. Nolte has performed on Broadway and at theaters across the country and Broadway. His credits include “La Cage Aux Folles,” “The Producers,” “Jane Eyre,” “Amour,” “A Christmas Carol,” “King David,” “1776,” “The Secret Garden,” “Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat,” “Me and My Girl” and “Cats.”

Susan Cella portrays Tevye’s strong-willed wife, Golde. Cella is returning to the MSMT stage having appeared in “Mame,” “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” “The Full Monty,” “Hairspray,” “Mary Poppins” and “Gypsy.” Her Broadway career includes the roles of Mrs. Robinson in “The Graduate” and Eva Peron in “Evita.”

Yente is played by MSMT favorite, Charis Leos. This season marks her 24th production at MSMT. She most recently appeared in the full 2015 season as Georgie in “The Full Monty,” Eulalie Shinn in “The Music Man,” Sister Mary Patrick in “Sister Act,” and Frau Blucher in “Young Frankenstein.”

Tevye and Golde’s three oldest daughters (Tzeitel, Hodel and Chava) will be played by Rachel Rhodes-Devey, Siri Howard and Lexi Rabadi. Opposite of the daughters, Aaron Galligan-Stierle will be playing Motel, with Ben Michael and Paul Louis Lessard playing suitors Perchik and Fyedka. Rounding out the cast are MSMT veterans and newcomers Bev Appleton as the Rabbi, Erick Devine as Lazar Wolf, and Michael J. Farina as Mordcha.

Tickets are available online at www.msmt.org, by calling 207-725-8769, or in person at the Box Office located at in the Pickard Theater at 1 Bath Road, Brunswick. Visit the website for more information.