One of the most charismatic figures from the Peace and Free-Love era is celebrated in the Broadway musical SOUL DOCTOR, which tells the fascinating story of the father of popular Jewish music, Shlomo Carlebach. A modern-day troubadour, Carlebach ignited the spirit of millions around the world with his soul-stirring melodies, engrossing storytelling and boundless love.
SOUL DOCTOR will have eleven performances only, May 3 to 13, at the Saban Theatre, 8440 Wilshire Blvd.,
Beverly Hills. Tickets are available by visiting Ticketmaster.com or by calling 866-448-7849. Following the
Beverly Hills engagement, this production of SOUL DOCTOR travels to Jerusalem to the Hirsch Theatre for its Israel premiere performances as part of the celebration of the 70th anniversary of Israel.
Nineteen of Carlebach's well known songs are performed in this exhilarating musical journey, exploring the dramatic life of this cultural icon set in the transformative era of the Love Generation. Carlebach's life changed when he met the legendary jazz singer and civil rights activist Nina Simone at a Greenwich Village nightclub, who introduced him to gospel music. SOUL DOCTOR dramatizes Carlebach's friendship with Simone; together their music became an important voice of social change.
Inspired by the music of Simone, Carlebach broke tradition - by embracing the pop music of his generation. By performing to both Jews and non-Jews, he defied the Orthodox establishment, and popularized Jewish music to appeal to a new generation who had left their religion behind.
In the late '60s Carlebach moved to San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury where he established the "House of Love and Prayer", a hippie center for Jewish Music and Learning. During this period that Carlebach played concerts worldwide and inspired millions. On his journey, he also joined legends
Bob Dylan, the Grateful Dead,
Pete Seeger and Jefferson Airplane on stage.
Tony Award-nominee
Josh Young stars as Carlebach and Israeli singer and recording artist Ester Rada plays Nina Simone. The book of SOUL DOCTOR is by
Daniel S. Wise, the lyrics by David Schnechter, and additional materials by Carlebach's daughter, Neshama. The musical features Carlebach's timeless hits in a rocking score woven together by Stephen Margoshes, the orchestrator of The Who's Tommy and
Elton John's Aida.
This production is directed by Gabrielle Barre, who directed Amazing Grace on Broadway and choreographed by
Jennifer Paulson-Lee.
SOUL DOCTOR will have eleven performances only, May 3 to 13, at the Saban Theatre, 8440 Wilshire Blvd.,
Beverly Hills. Tickets are available by visiting Ticketmaster.com or by calling 866-448-7849. For Group Sales call 310-365-8020. For more information, please visit
souldoctor.com, or call 888-645-5006.
Time Out New York described SOUL DOCTOR as "A Cross Between Fiddler on the Roofand Hair." Broadwayworld hailed the show as "The first major Jewish musical in a generation!" The Wall Street Journal said called SOUL DOCTOR an "exhilarating, riveting and hilarious musical." The Jewish Post said, "Carlebach singlehandedly transformed Jewish music in the 20th century ... an authentic portrait of the travails and triumphs of this extraordinary man."
The New York Times said, "Carlebach's music, much of which was written to accompany traditional Jewish songs and prayers, is often beautiful and blends folk instrumentation with more recognizably traditional liturgical sounds. SOUL DOCTOR is a kinetic dynamo building to a joyous leaping roar!" And
Larry King himself said, "The crowd roars with laughter and song, all night long." The New York Post said the show is "a rocking tale!"
Tony Award-nominee
Josh Young stars as Shlomo and Israeli singer and recording artist Ester Rada as Nina Simone. Young originated the role of
John Newton in Amazing Grace two seasons ago, and previously received his Tony nomination and a Theatre World Award for his Broadway debut as Judas in
Andrew Lloyd Webber and
Tim Rice's Jesus Christ Superstar.
Rada is not just one of Israel's biggest success stories in recent years, but a worldwide sensation. Her concert and recordings feature a showcase of talent spanning from Ethiopian-jazz to American funk, from smooth R&B to a pulsating Afrobeat with a hint of Middle Eastern flavor that provide a foundation for her thrilling, soulful voice.
More about SOUL DOCTOR
Starting in the turbulent 1960s, Shlomo Carlebach infused traditional songs and those he wrote himself with folk, jazz and gospel elements. The book by Daniel Wise tells of the important moments in Carlebach's life story, focusing on his "peace and love" philosophy, intriguing musical journey, and lifelong conflict with his father and other disapproving Orthodox community elders.
SOUL DOCTOR not only dramatizes his life as a Rabbi who inspired millions of people, and who travelled the world healing souls through his message of love and compassion, but it also provides timely insights into his unusual forays in interracial understanding. Carlebach's open acceptance of less religious, secular Jews and the disaffected youth of the '60s was a monumental shift in the Jewish outreach movement and he left a legacy of soulful, loving music and a renewed Jewish community.
The story begins in 1960s Vienna, where Carlebach is giving a concert, having returned to the city for the first time in decades, and then goes back in time to Nazi-occupied Austria when Carlebach as a child, witnessed the murder of a Jewish man singing in the streets. This experience causes Shlomo to pledge to always stand up for freedom of expression through music. To escape persecution, the Carlebach family moved to the Upper West Side New York City where Shlomo was a Yeshiva student following his father's footsteps to become a Rabbi -- studying the Talmud and memorizing the Torah.
After a chance meeting, the young Rabbi befriended Nina Simone, who introduced him to soul and gospel music. With the "High Priestess of Soul" as his inspiration, Shlomo created a joyous new sound with melodies that fused his roots with American popular music. With his meteoric rise as a "Rock Star Rabbi," he struggled to harmonize his traditional beliefs with the "free love" generation of the 1960s. Today, his uplifting music and message help to define America's most defiant era.
Josh Young (Shlomo) Most recently, Josh originated the role of "
John Newton" in the Broadway World Premiere of Amazing Grace. Josh received a Tony® Award nomination and Theatre World Award for his critically acclaimed Broadway debut as "Judas" in
Andrew Lloyd Webber's Jesus Christ Superstar. He appeared in two seasons at Canada's prestigious Stratford Shakespeare Festival where his credits include "Connie Rivers" in The Grapes of Wrath, and "Che" in Evita directed by
Gary Griffin, earning BroadwayWorld Awards for each. Josh earned the same accolade for his turn as "Che" in the Tony®Nominated revival tour of Evita. Josh appeared as "Marius" in the US National Tour of Les Miserables and "Tony" in the 50th Anniversary International Tour of West Side Story. Josh has performed in North America's finest regional theaters including
La Jolla Playhouse,
Center Theatre Group, Walnut Street Theater, St. Louis MUNY, Baltimore Center Stage, Ogunquit Playhouse and
North Carolina Theatre. Josh performs with Symphonies around the world and has been involved in concerts and new works with NYC's Lincoln Center,
Roundabout Theatre Company, The
Transport Group and The New York Musical Theater Festival. Josh is the co-founder of Cutting-Edge Composers, a concert and weekly web series on broadwayworld.com, created to give exposure to musical theatre's next generation of songwriters. BFA
Syracuse University. @joshpaulyoung.
Ester Rada (Nina) Growing up in a religious family that had just settled in Israel after an excruciating journey from Ethiopia, no one could have anticipated what the future would hold for Ester Rada. Although perhaps the stuff of filmmaking, one would abandon the notion the moment Ester Rada appears on stage. A bombshell of charisma, talent and genuine musical eagerness, Rada is no longer just one of Israel's greatest success stories in recent years, but a worldwide sensation. It began with the success of her 2013 EP, "Life Happens", produced by Kutiman? (Thru-you), which initiated an instant buzz that erupted frantically with her 2014 debut album, "Ester Rada". It was a surprising showcase of talent spanning from Ethiopian-jazz to American funk, from smooth R&B to a pulsating Afrobeat with a hint of Middle Eastern flavor that laid foundations for her thrilling, soulful voice. Exalted reviews emerged as the album reached gold status in Israel, and international attention quickly followed.
Gabriel Barre (Director) Broadway: Amazing Grace. Off-Broadway:
Andrew Lippa's The Wild Party, Summer of '42, Son of a Gun, Stars in Your Eyes, Honky-Tonk Highway, John & Jen and Almost, Maine. National Tours: Amazing Grace, Cinderella, Pippin.
Goodspeed Opera House: Amazing Grace, Pippin, Sweeney Todd, Finian's Rainbow, Houdini and many other, new musicals. Other Regional Theater: Flower Drum Song, Little Shop of Horrors at American Musical Theatre of San Jose; Private Lives at
Seattle Repertory Theatre;
Tom Jones, Memphis, and Camelot at North Shore Music Theatre; Hay Feverand Pericles at Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. International: Carmen, Jesus Christ Superstar, Aida and the new musical Holmes at Karlin Theatre, Prague; Tears of Heavenin Seoul, Korea; the Mexican premiere of Billy Elliot in Mexico City and the Japanese premiere of the co-ed and new version of The Scarlet Pimpernel. Also directed, with
Stephen Schwartz, Magic to Do, the new magical revue now playing on Princess Cruises. As an actor, he has been nominated for a Tony Award and has appeared often in film and on television.
Jennifer Paulson-Lee (Choreographer) Ms. Paulson-Lee has enjoyed a 25+ year career throughout the USA, Europe and Canada spanning Broadway and Off-Broadway, Radio City, Classical Opera, and T.V., while often developing new works. Currently running on Princess Cruises is Magic To Do, a new musical revue of
Stephen Schwartz songs with Director
Gabriel Barre and Musical Director
Mark Hartman. Ms. Paulson-Lee has choreographed for notable theatres including Lincoln Center's Vivian Beaumont: Annie Get Your Gun with
Patti LuPone and
Eli Wallach: The York Theatre in NYC, LA's
Mark Taper Forum and The Wallis,
Paper Mill Playhouse,
Goodspeed Opera House,
McCarter Theatre, Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, Utah's Pioneer Theatre, The Melting Pot and
Bay Street Theatre to name a few. Classically trained, she has also worked with several distinguished director/choreographers including
Susan Stroman and the legendary
Jerome Robbins. Ms. Paulson-Lee has been very active as choreographer for NewArts - a foundation created in Newtown, CT following the Sandy Hook school shooting to address the unfortunate growing need for a safe-haven and artistic outlet while developing lifelong character-building tools via the art of musical theatre for those in communities affected by high trauma involving children. www.jenniferpaulsonlee.com
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