The new musical featuring Carlebach's music has a book by Daniel S. Wise, lyrics and direction by David Schechter and additional material by Carlebach's daughter, Neshama Carlebach.
The limited run is being touted as a pre-Broadway engagement. A previous staged reading took place Jan. 7 at Jazz at Lincoln Center's Allen Room.
A cast of Broadway performers has been assembled, including David Rossmer (Fiddler on the Roof) in the title role with two-time Tony nominee Josie de Guzman (Guys and Dolls), Thursday Farrar (Aida), Paul Jackel (The Secret Garden), James Judy (Into the Woods), Brooke Moriber (The Wild Party), Daniel Rudin (Fiddler on the Roof) and David Reiser (Good Vibrations) as well as Aaron Kaburick, Jillian Louis, Gary Patent, Luke Rosen, Talya Smilowitz, Noah Solomon and Lauren Weisman.
Shlomo, according to press notes, "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."
Keith Levenson has penned the musical arrangements for the production that will feature over 40 of Schlomo's songs. The creative team also includes orchestrations by Steve Margoshes, choreography by Michael Raine, scenic design by Beowulf Boritt, costume design by Tobin Ost, lighting design by Jeff Croiter and sound design by Shannon Slaton.
Shlomo will run through May 9 at the Museum of Jewish History, located at 36 Battery Place in Manhattan.
Tickets, ranging $45-$75, are available by phoning (212) 279-4200 or by visiting www.TicketCentral.com.
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Known as Reb Shlomo to his followers, Shlomo Carlebach was a Jewish religious teacher, composer, and singer who was known as "The Singing Rabbi" during his lifetime. Although his roots lay in traditional Orthodox yeshivas, he branched out to create his own movement combining Hasidic-style warmth and personal interaction, public concerts, and song-filled synagogue services. In a career that spanned over 30 years, he recorded more than 25 albums. Carlebach was also considered a pioneer of the Baal teshuva movement ("returnees to Judaism"), encouraging Jewish youth who had become hippies to re-embrace their Jewish heritage. Carlebach passed away October 20, 1994, at the age of 69.
