The cast of "Fiddler on the Roof" at Astoria High School.

ASTORIA — Familiar musical numbers and themes are set to return in an Astoria High School production of “Fiddler on the Roof,” opening at 6:30 p.m. Friday.

About 30 local students make up the cast and crew, and the show is being directed by Katherine Lacaze.

The story is set in the Russian village of Anatevka and centers on a poor dairyman and his five daughters. With the help of a tight-knit Jewish community, he tries to marry off his daughters and instill in them a sense of tradition in the face of growing antisemitism.

According to Lacaze, students have embraced the material, challenging themselves to find humor, sadness and hard truths in the story.

Additional performances are at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, and on March 8 and March 15. Two matinees will be staged at 2 p.m. March 9 and March 16. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children and students at the door.