On Sunday, May 2 at 2:30 PM (ET), we’re throwing a party to celebrate the new book “On the Roof: A Look Inside Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish” by one of the show’s stars, Samantha Hahn. “On the Roof” is an inside look at our smash hit Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish. We sat down with Samantha to discuss the show!

What was it about this production that made you want to audition?

I had always loved Fiddler on the Roof because my family and I watched it a lot growing up. When I was younger, I sang “Do You Love Me” around the house all the time! Then when we saw it on Broadway in 2015, I turned to my mom and said, “I wish I could audition to play one of the daughters!” So, when I saw a post about auditions for the Yiddish Fiddler, I knew I wanted to be there. I had no idea how special this production would be!

Pull back the curtain: tell us one entertaining thing that took place behind the scenes!

It’s so hard to think of one that didn’t end up in the book! One little thing that was always funny was that Steven Skybell painted some grey spots into his beard, and when he would kiss all of the daughters on the forehead before “Sabbath Prayer,” the grey makeup got all over us. We would come offstage and wipe each other’s faces off! Raquel Nobile, who played Shprintze, started just grabbing my face and saying, “Beard Check!” when we got off stage and it was so funny.

You could tell that the cast became a family.

Yes – from the very first day of rehearsal! We took a break for lunch and we all ended up eating together at a picnic table. We had so much fun as a cast – from potlucks and picnic lunches between shows, to pool parties, “Game of Thrones” watch parties, and a Broadway bowling league. We had a big mix of ages and personalities, but we all had in common how much we loved doing the show.

Had you expected it would become so successful?

I remember some of my castmates telling me they thought we would extend and a week or two past our initial summer run, and that was so exciting and wild to me. Then it just got even more exciting because the audiences kept coming! We loved doing the show so much, so it was always very joyful to hear that we would get to keep doing it for a little bit longer.

How was Joel Grey as a director?

Joel is a mensch, and an incredible director. I learned so much from working with him! I think his generosity, kindness, and courage with our production, and with us as a cast, really set the tone for our whole production.

What surprised you most about the production?

So many things! Right now, I’m thinking that what surprised me most is that I got to learn and grow so much with the show, but at the same time I got to make the best friends ever backstage.

What was it like having four older sisters in the show?

They’re all so amazing, and they were generous with me from day one. Stephanie Lynne Mason, who is always so caring, helped me tie my Schmatta on the very first day. And Rosie Jo Neddy got me a whole ice cream cake to celebrate my last day in the show downtown! Raquel Nobile, who is probably the friendliest person I know, became my bestie and partner in crime from day one – and she still is. And Rachel Zatcoff of course, she is my best friend and I look up to her so much. It’s just like having real sisters!

What’s next on the horizon for you?

I’m so excited to be graduating from the Manhattan School of Music with a BM in Musical Theatre at the end of May! I’m very lucky to be signed with Bonnie Shumofsky Bloom at Stewart Talent, so I’m auditioning all the time and can’t wait to do a lot more performing.