Few jobs are as fulfilling as John Preece’s.

Preece, who plays the lead role as Tevye in “Fiddler on the Roof,” is in his fifth national tour with the musical.

Over the years, he has played multiple characters in the cast, including the roles of Tevye and Lazar Wolf.

“I’ve played Tevye and Lazar each about 1,500 times now — they’re about even,” he says.

Despite playing numerous roles, Preece says there is still one role that he enjoys playing the most.

“Well, obviously, Tevye is my favorite. It is one of the best-written roles in musical history,” he says.

Fiddler on the Roof, the nine-time Tony Award-winning musical, first opened on Broadway in 1964, and has since become one of the most well-known plays in Broadway history.

The musical is based on stories by Russian author Sholem Alechiem. It is the tale of Tevye, a Jewish peasant and milkman. The story follows him and his family living in pre-Revolutionary Russia.

Tevye is a typical family man, dealing with his wife and daughters. He must balance the traditions and culture of his past with his ever-changing life and country. He is forced to change his traditional views when he and his family are forced out of their village.

Preece says he is proud to have been with the production for as long as he has been because he enjoys playing the roles. He also likes the idea of being on tour and bringing the production to stages across the country.

“It’s not like Broadway, where it’s the same place every night,” Preece says. “It’s always fun to do; it’s different people, different places.”

What: “Fiddler on the Roof”

Where: Stephens Auditorium

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Cost: $20.50-$22.50 students, $38.50-$42.50 public