Revere native costarring in Topol’s farewell ‘Fiddler’

The actress who grew up on Library Street in Revere is coming home again with the national touring production of “Fiddler on the Roof’’ at the Opera House in Boston, which opens Tuesday and runs through Nov. 15. The production stars Chaim Topol, 74, the Israeli-born, Oscar-nominated Tevye from the acclaimed 1972 movie version, in what is being billed as his farewell tour in the role, which he has performed about 2,500 times. Cella plays his faithful if exasperated wife, Golde.

Cella has performed not only extensively on Broadway, but in national and international tours, as well as at such local venues as the Huntington Theatre Company, the North Shore Music Theatre, the Reagle Players in Waltham, and the Cape Cod Playhouse in Dennis.

How did a girl from Library Street in Revere end up playing Golde opposite international superstars such as Topol and Theodore Bikel, with whom she starred in an earlier production of “Fiddler’’?

After Cella graduated from Revere High and the famed Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester, she made the decision to go to New York, against the wishes of her late parents, Buddy and Caroline, a decision much like those made by Tevye’s rebellious daughters in “Fiddler.’’

“My parents were horrified,“ said Cella. “They wanted me to be a music teacher.’’

She toiled off-Broadway before finally earning her card for Actor’s Equity - the union for professional stage actors - and hasn’t looked back since. Her Broadway credits include understudying Kathleen Turner in “The Graduate’’ and Patti Lupone in “Evita.’’

Her TV and film resumes include appearances on “The Sopranos’’ and two episodes of “Law and Order.’’

Despite living in New York for years, Cella still has strong connections to her hometown and the North Shore. Her sister, Annemarie Cella, still lives at the family home in Revere, her brother Robert in Tewksbury. She has uncles and aunts living in East Boston, Revere, and Swampscott.

A group of Revere girlfriends she has been close to since the ninth grade will be among the many family and friends making their way to the Opera House.

“We stay in touch and keep track of kids and weddings,’’ said Cella, who declined to give her age.

During a recent phone interview, Cella mentioned that she had just returned from a visit to the chiropractor, visits necessitated by the years of dancing in musicals.

The dance requirements for Golde are far less strenuous than her role, say, as the tap-dancing Maggie Jones at the late, lamented North Shore Music Theatre last fall in “42nd Street.’’ It was the second to last production at the Beverly theater before it closed.

“The closing of North Shore killed me,’’ she said. “In a dream world, I’d love to see it resuscitated in some way. But it’s the economy. There are theaters closing all around the country. People don’t have the discretionary income and there are fewer opportunities for young actors to learn their craft like I did.’’

Sammy Dallas Bayes, the director and choreographer of the “Fiddler on the Roof’’ national tour, said Cella’s portrayal of Golde is “strong and consistent. She shows strength at mothering her children and keeping a fire under her daydreaming husband. She does it well and is very believable.’’

Cella said it is “like being at a Bon Jovi concert’’ when Topol - who runs 2 miles a day and maintains a strict diet - comes onstage during “Fiddler.’’ Cella said Topol has changed his approach to the Teyve character he first played in a Tel Aviv production in 1965, just as he has had to darken the beard that years ago he had to lighten.

“Theo Bikel’s Tevye was jollier, more outgoing,’’ said Cella. “Topol’s is more introspective, especially when it comes to the monologues in the second act. He’s more angst-ridden and takes it to a very dark place.’’

Cella said she has yet to miss a show of the tour and believes a strong work ethic has helped lengthen her career.

“You’re always auditioning for your next role, and when a job wraps up, you think you’ll never work again. Some years are better than others. Then something comes along that’s a real adventure . . . some jobs that pay the least are the most fun. Some jobs pay a lot of money, and there’s nothing wrong with that.’’

Rich Fahey can be reached at faheywrite@yahoo.com.