Tradition Takes Center Stage in Juniper Village Production of Fiddler on the Roof

(Paramus, NJ) - With passion, purpose, and more than a touch of “Tradition,” the residents of Juniper Village at Paramus brought the beloved Broadway musical Fiddler on the Roof to life in a remarkable two-day run on Thursday, June 12 and Friday, June 13.

Fourteen older adults took the stage to perform a specially adapted version of the iconic show as part of Juniper Communities’ Perennial Players program, proving that the spirit of performance and storytelling knows no age. The performances, held in an intimate black box theater-style setting within the community, played to two sold-out audiences and ended with spirited standing ovations each .

One of the many moving performances came from resident John Docke, who stepped into the role of Tevye. A longtime participant in Juniper’s theater program, John had his eye on this role for over a year. “It’s an honor to do it,” he shared. His performance captured humor, heartbreak, and hope at the core of the character, earning heartfelt applause from the crowd.

The production was more than a performance, it was a celebration of creativity, resilience, and lifelong dreams realized. Stephanie McKay, Connections Director at Juniper Village and the play’s producer reflected, “This was my first experience with Broadway Senior, and it’s been nothing short of inspiring. I’m incredibly proud of the cast for their dedication and growth over the past few months. For many, the show and music were entirely new, but that’s the magic of theatre. It brings people together, turning unfamiliar scripts into shared stories and creating something truly meaningful through collaboration. The cast and crew crafted a beautiful piece of art, and the audience became part of that journey.”

Richard Stange, who held the role of Perchik, created the original artwork for the playbill, providing a personal and artistic flair that highlighted the talent within the community. He added, “It was a good introduction to the show. I took inspiration from reading the script, it’s an original design.” Richard is a vivid example of how older adults can continue to express themselves creatively in multiple ways. At Juniper, residents are given the space and support to keep what brings them joy at the forefront of their lives, and the results are as inspiring as they are beautiful.

Juniper’s Perennial Players program focuses on providing older adults with the opportunity to perform and present classic Broadway musicals. Each production is adapted with accessibility in mind, featuring large-print scripts, reader’s theater-style staging, and slower tempos, all licensed and presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI) and their Broadway Senior™ program.

Reflecting on the impact of the production, McKay added, “Broadway Senior™ is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to be part of something extraordinary and that creative expression has no age limit.”

The performers shared how much the experience meant to them, whether returning to the stage or trying something entirely new.

Juanita Cacaam, who portrayed Golde, reflected, “It is a first experience for me to be in a show like this. I’m totally enjoying it and appreciate the opportunity to be in this cast.”

“This is a very good one, and I’m very happy to be part of it,” said Doris Elmer, who played Tzeitel and previously participated in two other Juniper Broadway Senior™ productions.

Eileen Gerber, in the role of Yenta, summed it up with a smile: “I’ve had a lot of fun. I hope we do it again because I love being a star!”

The spirit of Fiddler on the Roof, its themes of family, faith, change, and resilience, deeply resonated with both performers and audience members, many of whom have lived through their own seasons of tradition and transformation.

As the lights turned up and applause filled the room, one thing was clear: the stage may be modest, but the talent and heart at Juniper Village are anything but.

About Juniper Communities

Juniper Communities, a leader in quality, value, and innovation, operates senior living communities in Colorado, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Texas that emphasize residents’ well-being, interaction and security. Our communities and approach to housing and care offers residents the opportunity to live a full life, regardless of age or health. Juniper’s innovative Connect4Life program has been proven to improve residents’ care by decreasing hospitalizations, re-hospitalizations, and urgent care visits, while offering potential cost savings to public programs such as Medicare. To learn more about the many ways Juniper Communities innovates in support of our residents, visit www.junipercommunities.com.