It’s the year of the classic at the Seacoast Repertory Theatre, and it wouldn’t be complete without a “traditional” (pun intended) rendition of “Fiddler on the Roof.”

The simple but poignant tale is the story of a father attempting to raise his daughters under Jewish traditions in early 20th-century Russia, a world in which, to his great consternation, things are beginning to change.

Tevye (Scott Severance) is a mere dairyman, without much to offer in the way of dowries for his beloved children, so he’s searching carefully for appropriate husbands for Tzeital (Jennifer Mallard), Hodel (Cary Davis) and Chava (Chelsea Hermann). But in a break from his beloved tradition, his daughters refuse to accept the wishes of the matchmaker, Yente (Sharon Asher), and their father. Instead, one by one, they fall in love by the accord of their own hearts: Tzeital loses her heart to the tailor, Motel Kamzoil (Josh Moore); Hodel finds herself drawn to Perchick (Dan Beaulieu), and Hodel is lost to Fyedka (Camden Brown), a Russian soldier. Meanwhile, amidst all the passion and struggling traditions, Russians are instigating terrible pogroms against the Jewish people in Russia, and there’s a chance the family might even be driven from their beloved home, Ane Tevke.

When I saw Scott Severance in “Man of La Mancha” last summer, I thought he was born to play that part. And when I saw him as Tevye, wearily asking God what would be so terrible, if only he were a wealthy man, I found myself thinking, “Wow, he was born to play this role.” Severance is among the mightiest and most versatile talents ever to grace a Seacoast stage. You will never catch him affecting an emotion; rather, he seems simply to step into the character’s shoes and become him, in a thoroughly convincing and breathtaking way.

Sharon Asher’s Yente, the matchmaker, was charming, but she didn’t seem as sure of herself as an all-knowing matchmaker should be. Meredith Caple, as Tevye’s long suffering and never silent wife, contrarily, was simply bursting with life and authority; I couldn’t imagine any of her daughters defying her! Her voice was as pure Broadway-esque as I’ve ever heard.

Dan Beaulieu, as Perchick the socialist student, gives us a serious, desperately-sure-he’s-on-the-path-of-the-right allure. Josh Moore as the emboldened tailor was delightful, and Camden Brown as Fyedka got a chance to show off the deft and skillful way he performs. He’s matured greatly as a performer over the past year—anyone coming to the theater looking for the young boy they might have found there last year will have to look again. Tevye’s three daughters were equally charmingly cast. Jennifer Mallard is sassy appeal and golden tones personified, and Cary Davies’ voice floats hauntingly. Chelsea Hermann was likable enough, but at times seemed distracted, and struggled more to be noticed amidst this sea of talented vocalists.

Director Bill Humphreys once again finds a way to put a complex puzzle with hundreds of pieces together in such a way that the seams are unnoticeable. The tale he tells flows from beginning to end, bringing you from laughter to tears with it.

Fiddler on the Roof
at Seacoast Repertory Theatre, 125 Bow St., Portsmouth, through April 15. Showtimes are Wednesday at 7 p.m.; Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., and Sunday at 3 p.m.  Tickets are $35-$25. Call 603-433-4472 for reservations.