Tevye is a dairyman, living in a small village in Russia, in early 20th century. He's a Jew, very fond of tradition. He has five daughters and is trying to marry off the eldest ones. As tradition dictates he resorts to a matchmaker, who finds for Tzietel, the eldest, the butcher Lazar Wolfm, a middleaged man. Tzietel is in love with Motel, a young taylor and begs her father to allow her to marry him. 

Caring for his dauther's happiness, Tevye accepts, notwithstanding tradition and manages to convince his wife, Golde, with an elaborate trick. Soon after the wedding ceremony the Jew community is attacked by Russian raiders. Hodel, the second daughter, also obtains permission to marry the man she loves, but he's arrested for political reasons and sent to Siberia. A third daugther, Fyedka, marries a non-Jewish, defying her father will. He's very outraged by this and disowns her. Then all Jewish people are forced to leave the village.

The Songs:
Act 1:

-Tradition

-Matchmaker, Matchmaker

-If I Were a Rich Man...

-Sabbath Prayer

-To Life

-Miracle of Miracles

-The Dream

-Sunrise, Sunset

-Wedding Dance

Act 2:

-Now I Have Everything

-Do You Love Me?

-The Rumor

-Far From the Home I Love

-Anatevka