Jerry Bock, who composed the music for “Fiddler on the Roof,” among other shows, died today at age 81.

Here’s to “Fiddler on the Roof”:

• It was the first movie I remember ever seeing in the cinema–my parents took all three of us children to see it, so they must have felt it was important or noteworthy. I remember my brother not being too captivated by it, but he must have been very young.
   
• I love the Jewish story and the spunky women who love–but rebel against–their father.
   
• All of the songs are memorable, and I know all of them.
• We had “Sunrise Sunset” sung at our wedding, and our wedding video contains a clear shot of Mike’s dad tearing up when hearing the song.
   
• I remember seeing a wonderful production of it at LaSalle High School (a coworker’s daughter was in it), with the amazing and funny Ernie Casciato as Tevye. Chris must have been about 4 years old, and he sat through the 3-hour-long production, absolutely enthralled.
   
• Kieran went through a “Fiddler on the Roof” stage, when I took him and Chris to see the show at Robert Gray Middle School several years ago. He watched the movie on DVD and was frightened by the dream scene (although I warned him about it), but was then disappointed when it was cut out of the play.

How to choose one favorite song–it’s impossible! But here’s one of many I like: