The Shaarai Shpielers has slated its 27th annual Purimshpiel, "Tradition!" The performance will take place on Sunday, March 8, at 1:30 p.m. at Congregation Shaarai Shomayim, 75 E. James St., Lancaster. Attendees should enter the building through the James Street doors.

In this year's production, the 1964 Broadway musical "Fiddler on the Roof" meets the Book of Esther. There is an opening for a new queen, and Hadassah, a Jewish 18-year-old, wants to apply, even though she knows that a Jewish woman has never been chosen and probably never will be. She changes her name to Esther, keeps her religion a secret, and wins the contest held to choose the queen. Meanwhile, Haman, the prime minister, convinces the king to issue a decree to kill all the Jews. Esther and her older cousin, Mordechai, who raised her, must save their people from death.

Many of the major songs from "Fiddler on the Roof" - such as "Sunrise, Sunset," "To Life," "Matchmaker," "Far From the Home I Love," "Tradition," and "Do You Love Me," - will be presented as parodies.

The lead roles are played by Abigail Rackliffe as Hadassah/Esther; Josh Schwartz, Mordechai; Stu Blumenthal, King Ahashuerus; and Barry Shender, Haman. Also performing are Missy DePietro, Melanie DeSantis, Rebecca DeSantis-Randall, Tama Etra, Roni Jevens, Elin Ketels, Ilene Kochel, Rachel Levine, C. Tyler Mandel, Lisa Miller, Rabbi Jack Paskoff, Elizabeth Rackliffe, Toby Reigart, Janine Riben, Elaine Rostolsky, Harvey Scolnick, Colleen Stameshkin, Sally Woodman, and Alice Yerman.

Alan Levine is the musical director, and Aaron Zinner is the props and scenery director. The show is produced, directed, and written by David Stameshkin.

The performance is free and open to the public.