Ari Axelrod To Bring 'My Year In Anatevka' To Westport Country Playhouse

This month's performance explores Axelrod's year playing six roles in three productions of "Fiddler on the Roof."

By Alfred Branch, Patch Staff

Sep 3, 2026 4:34 PM EDT

“Ari Axelrod: My Year in Anatevka” will be performed at Westport Country Playhouse on Sept. 15. (Alfred Branch/Patch)

WESTPORT, CT — Westport Country Playhouse will present "Ari Axelrod: My Year in Anatevka" at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15.

The show focuses on Axelrod's experiences performing in three productions of "Fiddler on the Roof" in three states over the course of a year. During that time, he portrayed six characters, including fathers, sons, a milkman, a tailor and a priest.

Axelrod's year performing in "Fiddler on the Roof" began days after Oct. 7, 2023.

"As the Jewish world reeled from unimaginable loss, 'Fiddler' ceased to be simply a classic musical," Axelrod said. "Night after night, its themes of tradition, identity, displacement, resilience, and hope took on new and urgent meaning."

"My Year in Anatevka" features songs from the "Fiddler on the Roof" score, stories from Axelrod's three productions and music inspired by the musical's characters, including songs that did not make it to Broadway.

Axelrod received The Jewish Week's "36 To Watch Award," recognizing him as one of 36 influential Jews in the United States. His show, "A Place for Us: A Celebration of Jewish Broadway," has been performed at venues including Westport Country Playhouse, Bay Street Theater and Birdland Jazz Club.

His other theatrical credits include Paper Mill Playhouse, North Shore Music Theatre, Lexington Theatre Company, NAMT, Shabbat on Broadway and The York Theatre Company.

Axelrod received the 2022 Bistro Award for Best Theatrical Artistry in Song and the Mabel Mercer Foundation's Julie Wilson Award. His album, "A Place for Us: A Celebration of Jewish Broadway," is available for purchase and on streaming platforms.

The performance will run approximately 90 minutes without an intermission. Tickets are $30, $40 and $50.

Westport Country Playhouse is located at 25 Powers Court, off Route 1 in Westport. Tickets and additional information are available at westportplayhouse.org or by calling the box office at 203-227-4177 or 888-927-7529.

Barbara Streicker is the Playhouse's 2026 programming and season sponsor. Moffly Media and WSHU Public Radio are media sponsors.