SOUL DOCTOR Announces New Partnership with Birthright Israel's Alumni Community

The producers of the new Broadway musical Soul Doctor - about the life and music of Shlomo Carlebach and his unlikely friendship with Nina Simone - have formed an ambitious partnership with Michael Steinhardt's Birthright Israel alumni effort, The Alumni Community, the organization's primary provider of post programming, and the central address for participants when they return home from their Israel experience. The partnership, a first for The Alumni Community, includes the opportunity for 5,000 alumni to see Soul Doctor, participate in exclusive receptions and post-performance talkbacks, and is being underwritten by Mr. Steinhardt, co-founder of Birthright Israel.

Rebecca Sugar, Executive Director of The Alumni Community said, "The Alumni Community, New York's Primary Provider of Birthright Israel Post Programming, is thrilled that our Chair, Michael Steinhardt, would share his passion for Jewish music with the tens of thousands of Birthright Israel alumni we work with in this way. The gift of tickets to Soul Doctor is the gift of connection to our community and its cultural history." Ms. Sugar continued, "Birthright Israel alumni celebrate Shabbat together, study Hebrew together, travel to Poland and Prague together, and discuss critical issues facing modern Israel together. They meet with Wall Street executives and deliver food packages to the elderly for the holidays. Now we invite them to sing together as a community of Birthright Israel alumni at Soul Doctor."

Soul Doctor producer Jeremy Chess said, "The passion for music and freedom that Shlomo Carlebach exhibited in life and in Soul Doctor is matched by the overwhelming generosity of Michael Steinhardt and The Alumni Community, his Birthright Israel alumni effort. We are thrilled that because of his support, thousands of students and young adults will be able to experience one of the most uplifting and joyous shows ever on Broadway."

Soul Doctor is currently in performances at the Circle in the Square Theatre (1633 Broadway, entrance on 50th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue). The remaining September schedule is as follows:

September 23 - 28: Monday at 8pm; Wednesday at 2pm & 8pm; Friday (Simchat Torah) at 8pm; Saturday at 2pm and 8pm. (Dark Tuesday, September 24 and Thursday, September 26.)

From September 29, the schedule will be: Tuesday at 7pm (with free post-show discussion for all members attending that evening's performance); Wednesday at 2pm and 8pm; Thursday at 7pm; Friday at 8pm; Saturday at 2pm and 8pm; Sunday at 3pm.

Upon the August 15 opening of Soul Doctor, Charles Isherwood, writing in The New York Times, praised it for being "an unabashedly celebratory show" that's "a little bit Fiddler, a little bit Hair" and "a fascinating story." The Associate Press hailed the show as "a spectacular life journey!" All tickets range in price from $39 - $135 and can be purchased through www.SoulDoctorBroadway.com, by calling (212) 239-6200, or at the Circle in the Square box office. For groups of 10 or more, please visit www.groups.telecharge.com or call (212) 239-6262 or (800) 432-7780. Circle in the Square Theatre is located at 1633 Broadway, entrance on 50th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue.

Soul Doctor has music by Shlomo Carlebach, book and direction by Daniel S. Wise, lyrics byDavid Schechter and choreography by Benoit-Swan Pouffer, the acclaimed former artistic director of Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet.

The new Broadway musical Soul Doctor is an exhilarating musical journey through the triumphs and tribulations of a cultural phenomenon. It tells the fascinating story of the father of popular Jewish music, Shlomo Carlebach, and his unlikely friendship with Nina Simone. A modern-day troubadour, Shlomo ignited the spirit of millions around the world with his soul-stirring melodies, transformative storytelling and boundless love. After his escape from Nazi Germany, the young Rabbi befriended the legendary jazz singer 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.

The cast is led by its critically acclaimed stars, Eric Anderson ("Captivating" -The New York Times; who "delivers a terrific performance," -The Hollywood Reporter), who plays Shlomo, the role that garnered him a 2013 Drama Desk Award nomination for Best Leading Actor in a Musical, for his performances Off-Broadway, and Amber Iman ("Masterful in an exciting Broadway debut" -New York Magazine; "oozes with effervescence, consistently thrilling the audience with her sterling voice" -Associated Press), playing the role of Nina Simone.

Anderson and Iman are joined by a multi-cultural cast including Jacqueline Antaramian, Dianna Barger, Richard Cerato, Tara Chambers, Maria Conti, Alexandra Frohlinger, Afra Hines,Abdur-Rahim Jackson, Jamie Jackson, Ethan Khusidman, Dillon Kondor, Zarah Mahler,Vasthy Mompoint, Ron Orbach, Ian Paget, Heather Parcells, Michael Paternostro, JC Schuster, Eric J. Stockton, Ryan Strand and Teddy Walsh.

The award-winning design team for Soul Doctor includes scenic design by Neil Patel ([title of show]), costume design by Maggie Morgan (David's Red-Haired Death), lighting design by Jeff Croiter (Newsies) and sound design by John Shivers (2013 Tony-winner for Kinky Boots) andDavid Patridge. Orchestrations and additional arrangements are by Steve Margoshes, music supervision and arrangements are by Brian Koonin and music direction and arrangements are bySeth Farber.

This production is produced by Jeremy Chess, Jerome Levy, RoBert Beckwitt, Edward Steinberg,Joel Kahn and Danny Boy Productions.

Soul Doctor, the new musical about the life and music of Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach and his unlikely friendship with Nina Simone, is currently playing at Circle in the Square Theatre (1633 Broadway, entrance on 50th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue). The normal performance schedule is as follows: Tuesday at 7pm; Wednesday at 2pm & 8pm; Thursday at 7pm; Friday at 8pm; Saturday at 2pm & 8pm; Sunday at 3pm. Tickets, ranging in price from $39 - $135 (which include a theater facility fee), can be purchased now through www.SoulDoctorBroadway.com, by calling (212) 239-6200, or at the Circle in the Square box office. For groups of 10 or more, please visitwww.groups.telecharge.com or call (212) 239-6262 or (800) 432-7780. Circle in the Square Theatre is located at 1633 Broadway, entrance on 50th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue. For more information, please visit www.SoulDoctorBroadway.com.

Photo Credit: Carol Rosegg