The Tower Theatre will transform into the turbulent Russian village of Anatevka when Obsidian Opera Company’s production of ”Fiddler on the Roof” opens Saturday (see ”If You Go”).

The acclaimed Broadway musical was first staged in 1964 and features music by Jerry Bock, a libretto by Joseph Stein and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick. The 1971 film version starred Chaim Topol as Tevye, a dairy farmer whose world is in flux as the Russian persecution of Jews begins to reach his village. On top of that, his horse is injured, forcing Tevye to put himself before the cart.

In Obsidian Opera’s production, Tevye is played by Alan Cheshire, who, like most of the men in the production, has grown a beard to look the part. (Now that’s what we call method acting.)

Tevye is, by and large, an agreeable father who might actually have known best at one time, but lately is having a little trouble with five daughters, three of whom are rapidly approaching marrying age.

All of which would be fine if they’d let Yente (Susan Evans Inman) do her job as the village matchmaker. But their interest in love far outweighs their parents’ interest in tradition. All this familial drama is set against a larger looming disaster, the Tsarist Russian pogroms – a systematic persecution of Jews – that are coming to their village.

Whether Tevye likes it or not, change is coming to Anatevka. And how he deals with it is the stuff of song. ”Fiddler on the Roof” boasts more than its fair share of time-tested tunes: ”Matchmaker, Matchmaker,” ”If I were a Rich Man,” ”Sunrise, Sunset” and ”Do You Love Me.”

Rehearsals began in October, and if a recent visit to one is any measure, the cast members seem to have synthesized with their respective roles.

According to maestro Michael Gesme, known for his work conducting the Central Oregon Symphony, Cascade Winds Symphonic Band and, of course, Obsidian Opera Chamber Orchestra, ”Of all the things I do, these kinds of projects – whether it’s a musical or an opera – are always the longest gestation period before you get to the production.”

As opening night nears, ”It’s kind of like controlled chaos,” Gesme says, adding ”perhaps with an emphasis on controlled.”

That sense of controlled chaos, ”in many respects, is what you want,” he adds. ”You don’t want the chaos, but you want the environment that chaos creates … because people pay attention when things are chaotic, at least in a theater/musical sense. If you go into a performance feeling overconfident, that’s usually a bad thing.”

In addition to the family drama unfolding onstage, another family affair is at play behind the scenes. The musical stars three sibling performers: Sean, Heather and Nate Harlan. Sean, 19, plays Sasha; Heather, 18, is the eldest daughter, Tzeitel; and Nate, 11, is a member of the chorus.

What’s more, their parents, Mike and Merle Harlan, met 20 years ago when they played the roles of Fyeda and Chava in a Portland production of ”Fiddler on the Roof,” according to Obsidian Opera’s executive director, Danielle Purdy, who notes that this is the first time Obsidian Opera Company has done a full-length musical. It’s also one of the last companies to get the rights to perform ”Fiddler” this year, because there are plans for a national tour of the production.

Though Purdy didn’t mention any romances kicking up among Obsidian’s cast, she did say that it’s been interesting to watch friendships and mentoring relationships develop among the cast members, who range widely in age.

There’s also at least one other family aspect to the performances: Conductor Gesme’s wife, Janet, plays the namesake rooftop fiddler.

Lilli Ann Linford-Foreman, whose work you know from the erstwhile Magic Circle Theatre at Central Oregon Community College, is the director. Musical direction is by Jean Shrader, with sets designed by Cascade Theatrical Company’s Dee Torrey. Choreography is by Elaine Moisan and Zygmunt Sawiel, with costumes by Debra Mae Fisher.

If you go

What: ”Fiddler on the Roof”

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Additional performances at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 3 and Feb. 9-10. Children’s matinee performance at 1 p.m. Feb. 3, with a closing matinee performance at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11.

Where: Tower Theatre, 835 N.W. Wall St., Bend

Cost: $20-$35. Note: The Feb. 3, performances are part of the WinterFest lineup, and discounts are available for WinterFest Button holders.

Contact: 317-0700 or www.towertheatre.org.