COVID-19 Closures: Kelly Gabrielle Murphy ("Fiddler On The Roof" National Tour)

The COVID-19 crisis has caused a devastatingly massive wave of performance cancellations across the country, leaving actors out of work. Broadway, regional theatre, national tours, and more were forced to close much earlier than expected. I’ve been reaching out to the artists affected. Here are their stories.

By Kelly Gabrielle Murphy

Since Opening Night on October 17, 2018, six days a week at 8pm the train whistle would blow and I would be in Anatevka. Today marks a week and a half since the Fiddler on the Roof First National Tour was suspended and I was sent home. I’m very lucky to have been with the tour from the beginning. I love my job. I love this show. Fiddler has been the biggest part of my life this past year and a half.

For me, the show was what always kept me grounded while traveling the country. No matter what I was feeling or who I was missing that day, as soon as I got to the theatre it all became clear as to why I was doing this. People have such an intimate relationship with Fiddler on the Roof; it is held very dear to many people and it is an honor to have the privilege to share a story that has been a special part of so many families.

We were in Boston as the COVID-19 Pandemic began to escalate. We had a company meeting and precautions were being taken to keep us safe. Additional sanitation of props, surfaces, dressing room stations, etc. was implemented. All backstage tours, visitors, and interactions with fans at the stagedoor were eliminated.

Kelly Gabrielle Murphy, Fiddler On The Roof National Tour

The next week we were in Detroit and it was sure to be a special week. We were performing at the Fisher Theatre where Fiddler on the Roof had their out of town tryout (summer of 1964) before it opened on Broadway that fall. Our cast was really enjoying the time there. Unfortunately, we found out Friday morning, March 13th, that the rest of our shows for the weekend had been cancelled. We also learned that Kansas City, our next city, had also been cancelled. With so much uncertainty we were sent home.

The tour has officially been suspended and we are waiting for more information. All I can say is I miss the show. I miss my tour cast and crew. It is absolutely devastating to think I may have played my last performance with the show.

(My Dad is currently casting my family members in different roles so I can get to #500 in my living room. We were 8 shows away. Thanks Dad!)

As we continue to move through this, we are all just trying to keep our balance. “We stay because Anatevka is our home… and how do we keep our balance? That I can tell you in one word...Tradition.” Perhaps Tevye’s words might be of some help to you.

My story is only one of so many. Thank you to my dear friend Maggie for creating a platform where we can share stories and remind each other we are not alone in this. We will all come out of this together.

Kelly Gabrielle Murphy is currently playing Tzeitel in the First National Tour of Fiddler on the Roof directed by Bartlett Sher. Other National Tours: All Hands on Deck (Daisy Maxwell) Select Regional Credits: Sweeney Todd (Johanna Barker), Mamma Mia (Sophie Sheridan), Guys & Dolls (Sarah Brown) BFA University of Miami. www.kellygmurphy.com Instagram: @kellygabriellemurphy