Museum of Jewish Heritage Presents 'Shlomo' Starting 4/22

SHLOMO The New Musical, about the life and music of Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach, plays a three-week limited engagement, April 22nd - May 9th at the Edmund J. Safra Hall at The Museum of Jewish Heritage (36 Battery Place).  Featuring music by Carlebach, a book by Daniel S. Wise (Rent, producer of the world tour), lyrics and direction by David Schechter (Drama Desk nominee for Hannah Senesh) and additional material by Carlebach's daughter, Neshama Carlebach, SHLOMO The New Musical tells the story of the foremost innovator in Jewish Music of the 20th Century, and one of the most pivotal, unconventional and controversial Jewish personalities of the post WWII generation.
 
A musical celebration featuring over 40 of Carlebach's soulful and joyous melodies, SHLOMO The New Musical is the true story of the rabbi/troubadour who ignited the spirit of Jews around the world with his music, stories and boundless love. As a child, he narrowly escaped from Hitler's Germany. Once in America, his next dramatic journey took him from the traditional yeshiva world to becoming the first emissary of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. In his astonishing rise as a music star in the 1960's folk scene, he shared the stage with legends like Bob Dylan, Nina Simone and the Grateful Dead. He reinvented the Jewish experience with "The House of Love & Prayer", his hippie commune in San Francisco. Beloved and controversial, Shlomo traveled the world mending broken hearts through his boundless love and joyous music. Today, his songs continue to inspire millions.
 
SHLOMO The Musical features two-time Tony Award nominee Josie de Guzman, Thursday Farrar, Paul Jackel, James Judy, Aaron Kaburick, Jillian Louis, Brooke Moriber, Gary Patent, David Reiser, Luke Rosen, David Rossmer, Daniel Rudin, Talya Smilowitz, Noah Solomon and Lauren Weisman. Collectively, cast of SHLOMO The Musical have substantial Broadway, off-Broadway and National Tour credits including, Annie, A Christmas Carol, Big River, The Fantasticks, Fiddler on the Roof, Guys and Dolls, Into the Woods, Les Miserables, The Music Man, Nick & Nora, Once Upon a Mattress, Parade, Peter Pan, Runaways, The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Secret Garden, Tarzan, Titanic and West Side Story.
 
With musical arrangements and a score adapted from Carlebach's music by Keith Levenson (The Who's Tommy, Evita, Annie, Dreamgirls), orchestrations by Drama Desk Awrd winner Steve Margoshes (The Who's Tommy, Aida, Smokey Joe's Cafe) and choreography by Michael Raine (Rent, the world tour, The Prince of Grand Street), SHLOMO The Musical features a scenic design by Obie Award winner Beowulf Boritt (…Spelling Bee, Lovemusik), costume design by Tobin Ost (Brooklyn), lighting design by Jeff Croiter (South Pacific) and sound design by Shannon Slaton, and Orchestrations by Steve Margoshes (The Who's Tommy, Elton John's Aida, Smokey Joe's Cafe, Big River, Grease!).
 
"My father was incredibly larger than life in so many ways, but was always able to be real, to be who he was," says Neshama Carlebach, daughter of Rabbi Shlomo and co-creator of the musical.  "He revolutionized modern Jewish music, but when describing his work and mission, called himself a 'Doctor of the Soul.'   He used his melodies and deep teachings to bring strength, hope and healing.  I hope that by bringing my father's remarkable story to the stage, he will continue to bring his music, message and inspiration to new generations."
 
SHLOMO The Musical plays April 22nd - May 9th at the Edmund J. Safra Hall at The Museum of Jewish Heritage, (36 Battery Place).    Via subway, take the 4/5 trains to Bowling Green Station, the 1/R/W trains to Rector Street Station.  Performances are Monday - Thursday at 2:00PM & 7:00PM and Friday at 2:00PM.  (There is no evening performance on Wednesday, April 30th).  Tickets are $45-75 and available at TicketCentral.com, (212) 279-4200. Kosher for Passover Pre-Theater Dining available by reservation only. For more information, visit www.shlomomusical.com/.