Anatevka, a small town in 1905. Tevye explains the traditions of his
people and introduces us to his wife and five daughters who are
busy preparing for the Sabbath. The matchmaker, Yente, arrives and
tells the oldest daughter, Tzeitel, that she has been matched with the
butcher, Lazar Wolf. He is considerably her senior. She is in love with
a tailor, Motel - but he is afraid of her father and cannot get up the
courage to ask for her hand.
In town, Tevye meets a young man named Perchik, who is trying to
persuade townspeople to do something about the expulsions of the
time.
Tevye invites him room and board, in return Perchik will tutor
two of his daughters. At a meeting in the tavern, Tevye thinks Lazar
Wolf wants to buy his cow, but once the misunderstanding is cleared
up, agrees to let Lazar Wolf have his daughter's hand.
The next day, Tzeitel is devasted at the news, and this is the time
Motel chooses to ask for her hand. After a great deal of consideration
and pleading from his daughter, Tevye agrees to let them marry.
Now to tell his wife, who was pleased at the match with the butcher.
He pretends to wake from a nightmare in which Lazar Wolf's furious
ex wife rises from the dead and threatens the family. Shaken, Golde
agrees to the marriage between Motel and Tzeitel.
