Audition Central: Fiddler on the Roof JR.

Script: Golde

SIDE 1

(Kitchen of TEVYE'S house. GOLDE, TZEITEL and HODEL are preparing for the Sabbath. SHPRINTZE and BIELKE ENTER from outside, carrying logs)

SHPRINTZE

Mama, where should we put these?

GOLDE

By the stove! Where is Chava? It's almost Sabbath.

HODEL

She's in the barn, milking.

GOLDE

Shprintze, bring me more potatoes.

(SHPRINTZE EXITS as CHAVA ENTERS, carrying a basket, with a book under her apron)

Chava, did you finish milking?

CHAVA

Yes, Mama.
(Drops the book)

GOLDE

You were reading again? Why does a girl have to read? Will it get her a better husband? Here.

(Hands CHAVA the book. CHAVA EXITS into the house. SHPRINTZE ENTERS with basket of potatoes)

SHPRINTZE

Mama, Yente's coming.

HODEL

Maybe she's finally found a good match for you, Tzeitel.

GOLDE

From your mouth to God's ears.

SHPRINTZE

Mama, can we go out and play?

GOLDE

Go.

(SHPRINTZE and BIELKE EXIT)

TZEITEL

But Mama, the men Yente finds. The last one was so old, and he had no hair.

GOLDE

You want hair, marry a monkey.

(TZEITEL and HODEL leave the kitchen as YENTE ENTERS from outside)

YENTE

Golde darling, where are your daughters? Such diamonds, such jewels. I'll find every one of them a husband. But you shouldn't be so picky... Even the worst husband, God forbid, is better than no husband, God forbid.

MOTEL

(ENTERING)
Good evening. Is Tzeitel in the house?

GOLDE

She's busy. Come back later.

MOTEL

There's something I'd like to tell her.

GOLDE

Later.

TZEITEL

(ENTERING)
Oh, Motel, I thought I heard you.

GOLDE

Finish what you were doing.

(TZEITEL goes out. To MOTEL)
I said later.

MOTEL

(EXITING)
All right!

YENTE

What does that poor little tailor Motel want with Tzeitel?

GOLDE

They've been friends since they were babies. They talk, they play, they're children.

YENTE

From such children come other children.

GOLDE

Yente, you said you had news.

YENTE

Of course, the news - It's about Lazar Wolf, the butcher. Out of the whole town, he's cast his eye on Tzeitel.

GOLDE

Such a match, for my Tzeitel. But Tevye wants a learned man.

YENTE

Listen to me, Golde, send Tevye to him. Don't tell him what it's about. Let Lazar discuss it himself.

GOLDE

Tevye doesn't like Lazar.

YENTE

Lazar will win him over. He's a good man, and I don't have to tell you he's well off. And you don't have to thank me, Golde, because it gives me satisfaction to make people happy. So goodbye, Golde, and you're welcome.

SIDE 2

(A road. Late afternoon. TEVYE is pushing his cart)

GOLDE

(OFFSTAGE)
Tevye!

(ENTERS, upset)
Tevye!

TEVYE

(Struck by her manner)
What? What is it?

GOLDE

It's Chava. She's left home this morning. With Fyedka. I looked all over for her. I even went to the priest. He told me - they were married.

TEVYE

Go home, Golde.

GOLDE

But, Chava -

TEVYE

Chava is dead to us! We will forget her. Go home.

(GOLDE EXITS.)