SOUL DOCTOR: JOURNEY OF A ROCK-STAR RABBI Opens Tonight at Circle in the Square Theatre

The new Broadway musical Soul Doctor, about the life and music of Shlomo Carlebach and his unlikely friendship with Nina Simone, opens tonight, Thursday, August 15 at 6:30pm, at Circle in the Square Theatre (1633 Broadway, entrance on 50th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue).

Tickets for all future performances are $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, 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.

Eric Anderson 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, making her Broadway debut, will play the role of Nina Simone. They will be 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, opens tonight, Thursday, August 15 at 6:30pm at Circle in the Square Theatre (1633 Broadway, entrance on 50th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue). The performance schedule is as follows: Tuesday and Thursday at 7pm; Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 8pm; Wednesday and Saturday at 2pm; Sunday at 3pm. Tickets for all future performances are $135 (which include a theater facility fee) and can be purchased now through www.telecharge.com, by calling (212) 239-6200, or at the Circle in the Square box office. For groups of 10 or more, 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. For more information, please visit www.SoulDoctorBroadway.com.