Topol and Frey had performed in stage productions of the musical ; Topol as Tevye in the London production and Frey in a minor part as Mendel on Broadway .
Mendel is the rabbi 's son .
Topol and Frey had performed in stage productions of the musical ; Topol as Tevye in the London production and Frey in a minor part as Mendel , the rabbi 's son , on Broadway .