The status of Fiddler on the Roof as one of the most popular and enduring Broadway musicals of all time is unassailable—and deserved. It’s popped up frequently at community theaters around Sarasota over the years, but it’s been a while since the last visit; so the Players’ current production is a welcome one, especially judging by the packed house on opening night.

Those in attendance must have felt they got their money’s worth. There are a few not unusual quibbles about the show: As is often the case with community theater, there aren’t quite enough men of the right age and physical characteristics to go around, and on occasion the balance between the orchestra and the singers was uneven. But the pluses here outweigh the minuses.

Among the pluses are the leads. As humble milkman Tevye, blessed and burdened with those five daughters to marry off, Leonard A. Rubinstein throws himself into the part and delivers a zestful (if not always subtly nuanced) portrayal. He’s in command of the role and the stage from that classic opening number, Tradition, and he’s backed by some strong ensemble singers. (One other quibble while we’re at it: Tevye’s signature song, If I Were A Rich Man, was played and sung too fast on opening night. Slow it down to savor all the syllables).

Production values here are strong. There’s a set by Michael Newton-Brown that summons up that doomed village of Anatevka well and converts easily from scene to scene; costumes by Kaylene McCaw likewise clothe all those villagers appropriately for their stations in life. And the direction by Carole Kleinberg (aided by choreographer Donna Culbreth, who flexibly adapted the show’s original movements to suit this cast) is accomplished and feeling. I would only say that sometimes the pacing (even for a show that admittedly clocks in around three hours) is too rapid; perhaps that will change later in the run.

Fiddler on the Roof continues through April 3; call 365-2494 or go to theplayers.org.