It's not Santa up on the rooftop ... it's a “Fiddler on the Roof” — or at least one rehearsing at the Sing Hosanna! Stewart Hall building on Airport Road in Butler Township. Strains of Hebrew music and the shuffle of dancing feet are the clue.

Sing Hosanna! last performed the show in 2003, and with several exciting new players plans to breathe life into the classic tale of Tevye the milkman once again.

Scott Shearer of Winfield Township tackles the lead role of Tevye, the father of five daughters who finds it hard to balance the changing times with the traditions of his religion.

“He loves his family and wants them to be happy,” said Shearer, who is the father of six. “I think I bring a unique perspective. While we were rehearsing as Tevye, my daughter is leaving to join her fiancé in Siberia. I had goose bumps because it felt so real and my voice broke as I said goodbye.”

Three of Shearer's own daughters are also in the show.

Tevye's wife, Golde, is being played by Dale Riemer of Jefferson Township.

“Her difficult life has made her seem hard and angry, but she has a good heart and loves her God, her family and her home,” said Riemer. “I am hoping these traits come through in my portrayal of Golde.”

Riemer was in the chorus during the last “Fiddler” but appreciated Golde's wit and sharpness.

“I usually don't play such a loud, seemingly angry woman. I am usually comic relief,” Riemer said.

One of her favorite scenes is “Sabbath Prayer,” in which the stage family shares a meal and their faith.

Newcomer to the Sing Hosanna! cast is Scott Winter of Penn Township, playing a suitor of one of Tevye's daughters. He is a youth pastor at CrossWay Church in Valencia.

“Fyedka is a Russian soldier who falls for Tevye's third daughter, Chava,” said Winter. “Because he's a Russian, there's a disconnect between him and the others in Chava's village, but Fyedka is really a very genuine, sensitive person who doesn't believe in the segregation between his people and the Jews of the village.”

Winter is no stranger to “Fiddler.” He's run tech for it college, and acted in it twice. He also can hit the high notes Fyedka has to sing.

“ ‘Fiddler' is just an exceptionally well-written musical. From the standpoint of a longtime musician, the musical hooks in its songs are catchy, regardless of how long ago they were written,” Winter said.

An eighth grade student at Eden Christian Academy by day, Shae Cogley, 13, of Butler Township is rehearsing in the evenings for the role of Chava, the third of five sisters who falls for Fyedka.

“She tries to always do the right thing, but falls in love with Fyedka, who is not Jewish. Chava then runs away with Fyedka and gets married, causing her father to disown her,” said Shae, who noted the role is a tad challenging to play because at her age, marriage is the last thing on her mind.

“Since the character and I are so different, I have to pull out the quieter side of me, which doesn't happen too often,” she added.

Chava's older sister, Hodel, is played by Jessica Ortiz of Penn Township, an eighth grade student at Knoch Middle School.

“I like this character because I think she is independent, brave and romantic,” Jessica said. “She falls in love with Perchik, a radical, and goes against tradition by dancing with him at the wedding and by not asking for her father's permission to be married.”

Director Ralph Christy Jr. said he is delighted to bring the classic musical back to town. “It is timeless with some great memorable songs,” he said.

Next up is the Hosanna! Holiday Celebration, a dinner theater production Dec. 11 at Penn Christian Academy, Airport Road, Penn Township.

<B>WHO: </B>Sing Hosanna!<B>WHAT: </B>“Fiddler on the Roof”<B>WHEN: </B>7:30 p.m. Nov. 11 and 12 and 2 p.m. Nov. 13<B>WHERE: </B>Succop Theater at Butler County Community College<B>TICKETS: </B>$10 for age 10 and younger and $15 for everyone else; available at May’s Music Shoppe, 247 E. Jefferson St.<B>INFO: </B>724-287-8362