As the play begins, Tevye, a Jewish milkman, sings of the customs in the little Russian town of Anatevka. It is 1905, and life here is as precarious as a fiddler on the roof; yet, through their traditions, the villagers endure.

At Tevye’s house, his wife, Golde, and their five daughters prepare for Sabbath dinner when Yente, the town’s matchmaker, arrives. She tells Golde she has a possible match for Tzeitel, their eldest daughter. However, Tzeitel has already secretly pledged her love to Motel Kamzoil, a tailor, who has yet to find the courage to ask Tevye for her hand. But, when Lazar Wolf, a wealthy butcher, later reveals he is the match, Tevye (even though he dislikes Lazar Wolf) agrees, knowing that his daughter will never starve.

The following day, Tzeitel and Motel plead with Tevye to rethink her marriage arrangement to Lazar Wolf, and to consider Motel instead. Tevye eventually agrees but must convince Golde. He creates a story where Golde’s grandmother and Lazar Wolf’s late wife appear to him in a dream and threaten to curse Tzeitel if she marries Lazar Wolf. Golde believes this is a sign and agrees to the new match. Tzeitel and Motel are married in a traditional Jewish wedding ceremony.

Meanwhile, Tevye’s second daughter, Hodel, has fallen in love with Perchik, a student. They break tradition by telling Tevye they love each other and will be married, asking only for his blessing and not his permission. This causes Tevye and Golde to contemplate their own marriage and love for each other after twenty-five years.

Weeks pass, and Tevye’s third daughter, Chava has fallen in love with a Russian villager, Fyedka. However, marrying outside the Jewish faith is unacceptable to Tevye, and he forbids her to see him again. The next day, Chava and Fyedka secretly elope, and Chava is disowned by her family.

The fear of the Russian revolution, which has been simmering throughout the play, finally boils over when the Russian constable tells all the Jewish villagers they must pack up and leave Anatevka. Everyone prepares to leave, and Chava and Fyedka come to say goodbye and make peace. Tevye refuses to look at her, but has Tzeitel wish her well before they all depart, the fiddler playing as they exit.