FPAC’S Fiddler On The Roof to Feature Violinist Irina Fainkichen

Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) opens its 26th season with the musical theater masterpiece Fiddler on the Roof. The production plays at THE BLACK BOX in downtown Franklin this coming weekend, with performances on October 21 and 22 at 7:30, and October 23 at 2:00. 

Actor/director Nick Paone leads FPAC’s cast as Tevye; however, the show’s title role belongs to classical musician Irina Fainkichen, who performs the iconic violin solos. Concert violinists have traditionally performed the Fiddler music, including the 1971 film, which featured the renowned Isaac Stern.

“I put my heart and soul in each and every note the Fiddler is playing, telling his story,” Fainkichen says.

Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, Irina Fainkichen received degrees from Rachmaninoff Music College (Novgorod, Russia), St. Petersburg State Conservatory, and Rubin Academy of Music and Dance (Jerusalem, Israel). She was concertmaster of San Francisco’s Russian Chamber Orchestra for many years, appearing as soloist numerous times. Currently, she is a member of Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra, assistant concertmaster of Brockton Symphony Orchestra, and co-founder of “Flying Hearts” duo, which performs in a number of musical genres including jazz, Klezmer, and classic American tunes. Fainkichen is a busy freelance violinist in the Greater Boston area.

classical musician Irina Fainkichen

“Fiddler on the Roof is particularly dear to me,” she says. “Living part of my life in Russia and in Israel brings so much connection with the story itself and culture, Jewish traditions, history and music. I hope audiences will fall in love with the beauty of every song that is so familiar to all of us.”

Winner of nine Tony Awards when it debuted in 1964, the classic musical is the brainchild of Broadway legends Jerome Robbins and Harold Prince, songwriters Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick, and book writer Joseph Stein. Set in the small village of Anatevka, the story centers on Tevye, a poor milkman, and his five daughters. With the help of a colorful and tight-knit Jewish community, Tevye tries to protect his daughters and hold onto traditional values in the face of changing social mores and the growing anti-Semitism of Tzarist Russia. 

Fiddler on the Roof’s universal theme of tradition has won the hearts of audiences with its celebration of life and family. Full of humor, warmth, and honesty, Fiddler on the Roof features the cherished songs “Sunrise, Sunset,” “Miracle of Miracles,” “If I Were a Rich Man,” “Tradition,” and “Matchmaker.”

Tickets are $34. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com or call (508) 528-3370. THE BLACK BOX, FPAC’s home and performance venue, is located at 15 West Central Street. Fiddler on the Roof is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).