Legendary Cleveland Violinist Steven Greenman Shines in Fiddler on the Roof at Cleveland Play House

CLEVELAND, OH — Celebrated violinist, composer, and educator Steven Greenman has been tasked with the important role of "The Fiddler" in Cleveland Play House's production of Fiddler on the Roof at Playhouse Square’s Allen Theatre, with performances extended through May 25. Greenman announced his involvement on social media, noting, "Performing this music in the pit completes the Fiddler cycle for me," referencing his extensive history with the iconic musical, including onstage performances and concert renditions of the John Williams cadenza. While Greenman will miss four performances due to other professional commitments, Leah Goor Burtnett will assume the role during those dates.

Described by the Washington Post as “particularly impressive” and by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette as “extraordinary,” Greenman is internationally recognized as one of the foremost performers of klezmer and East European folk violin music. A master soloist and influential educator, he has performed at major festivals in Poland, Germany, China, Italy, and Canada, and collaborated with renowned klezmer groups such as the Klezmatics and Kapelye. Cleveland’s Plain Dealer once wrote, “Greenman is a violinist, which is a bit like saying LeBron James is a basketball player. Greenman...might even have more moves.”

The production, directed by Cleveland Play House Artistic Director Michael Barakiva, stars Broadway legends Robert Cuccioli as Tevye and Joanna Glushak as Golde. “Fiddler, like many great musicals, tells the very specific story of a very specific community, and the more specific it gets, the more universal the experience becomes,” Barakiva stated.

Audience members can opt for a unique onstage seating experience integrated into the set for $29.50, placing them directly in the heart of the performance. The production also offers weekend educational programs connecting the play’s themes to modern social topics like immigration, generational trauma, and mental health.

Steven Greenman’s contributions to music extend beyond performance. He is the founder of the Case Western Reserve University Klezmer Music Ensemble, the author of the Klezmer School for Strings teaching series, and a frequent master class instructor at institutions such as Oberlin College, Cornell University, and the Cleveland Institute of Music. His landmark recordings, Stempenyu’s Dream and Stempenyu’s Neshome, have expanded the klezmer violin repertoire, and his orchestral composition, Klezmer Concert Suite for Solo Violin and Orchestra, debuted with the Muncie Symphony Orchestra in 2018.

Greenman’s career also includes collaborations with the Cleveland Pops Orchestra, performances of the Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto, and educational initiatives like the Violins of Hope projects in North Carolina and Cleveland. As a versatile performer, he embraces urban East European, Romani, Chinese folk, and classical repertoires, solidifying his status as a global ambassador for diverse musical traditions.

Cleveland Play House Managing Director Rachel L. Fink emphasized the significance of this production, stating, “This production of Fiddler on the Roof is a celebration of our shared values,” while thanking The Milton and Tamar Maltz Family Foundation for their $150,000 gift supporting the orchestra.

Tickets to catch one of these performances for yourself can be found here.

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