NewsThe Doctor Is Out: Shlomo Carlebach Musical Soul Doctor Closes on Broadway Oct. 13Soul Doctor, the new musical about the life of Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach that arrived on Broadway in July, ends its run Oct. 13 at the Circle in the Square.
By
Adam Hetrick
October 13, 2013
Eric Anderson
Photo by Carol Rosegg
The musical, which came to Broadway following engagements in New Orleans, Florida and as a guest run at the New York Theatre Workshop last season, began Broadway previews July 17 and officially opened Aug. 15. Upon closing, Soul Doctor will have played 32 previews and 66 regular performances.
The musical was met with a cool response from New York critics. Read the reviews here. The production struggled at the box office the past several months; the average paid ticket price was $29.08 for the week ending Oct. 6.
Conceived by Jeremy Chess, created by David Schechter and Daniel S. Wise, with direction by Wise, Soul Doctor has a book by Wise, lyrics by Schechter and music by Shlomo Carlebach, with additional material by Neshama Carlebach. Benoit-Swan Pouffer choreographs the Broadway production.
"People on the outside may not know who he was—but, in our world, my father was Elvis," Carlebach's daughter, Neshema, told Playbill in a recent interview. "The beginning vision of Soul Doctor was maybe it should be a one-woman show where I tell the story of my father's life, as I do in my shows," she said. "We started writing it, then we realized, 'We need that one homeless guy' and 'that child he saved' and so on and on. By the time we turned around, it was a cast of many."
Read the full interview here. Drama Desk nominee Eric Anderson (of Broadway's South Pacific), who starred in the Off-Broadway run, repeats his work as Shlomo Carlebach in the Broadway production. The cast also features Amber Iman (A Civil War Christmas) as Nina Simone.
Jeremy Chess, Jerome Levy, Robert Beckwitt, Edward Steinberg, Joel Kahn and Danny Boy Productions produce.
The Broadway production has scenic design by Neil Patel, costume design by Maggie Morgan, lighting design by Jeff Croiter and sound design by John Shivers and David Patridge. Orchestrations and additional arrangements are by Steve Margoshes. Music supervision and arrangements are by Brian Koonin and music direction and arrangements are by Seth Farber.
Here's how it's billed: "The new musical Soul Doctor tells the fascinating story of the beloved yet controversial father of popular Jewish music, Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach. 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 childhood escape from Nazi Germany, the young Rabbi formed an unlikely friendship with legendary jazz singer Nina Simone, who introduced him to soul and gospel music. Fusing his roots with his new found inspiration, Shlomo created a revolutionary musical sound, writing songs that became instant standards. As a 'Rock Star Rabbi' of the 1960s, he struggled to harmonize his traditional beliefs with the "free love" generation. Today, his uplifting music and message help to define America’s most defiant era."
PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: A Two-Show Day at Broadway's Soul Doctor With Heather Parcells
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PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: A Two-Show Day at Broadway's Soul Doctor With Heather Parcells
PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: A Two-Show Day at Broadway's Soul Doctor With Heather Parcells
Musical theatre favorite Heather Parcells (A Chorus Line, Wonderland) is back on Broadway in Soul Doctor, a new musical about the life of controversial Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach. She shares a two-show day at Circle in the Square. Read the Playbill.com story.
43 PHOTOS
Nothing like walking by the bare Broadway Stage at Circle In The Square to remind you that you get paid to do what you love!
Heather Parcells
Call board (Just make sure Vasthy Mompoint signed in)
Heather Parcells
Welcome to the "SHE-BREWS" female ensemble dressing room! It's where the magic happens.
Heather Parcells
You know- just a sensible Barista Bar for the ladies. (booze is for later)
Breakfast, I mean, lunch of champions at half hour! Come on! It's any $5.00 Footlong all month. Our agents/Managers/Equity dues and FICA take most of our paychecks! Just because you are on Broadway doesn't mean you aren't on a budget!
Heather Parcells
We don't exactly have the most organized dressing room ever. To each her own.
Heather Parcells
Wig time with Brandy! No one ever looks good in a wig cap. NO ONE!
Heather Parcells
See!!! Sooo much better! Sam, Brandy and Michael Paternostro are just thrilled I have hair!
Heather Parcells
A Sensible warm-up for JC Schuster. Yamulke and all.
Heather Parcells
Shlomo (Eric Anderson) gets mic-ed up
Heather Parcells
It's quite an intense mic prep!
Heather Parcells
In order to get this two show day rollin, we need a little help from the Magic Candy fairy who leaves gifts in the young boys' dressing room.
Heather Parcells
Teddy and Ethan aren't too concerned that I take their candy. All they really need is their iPod.
Heather Parcells
Survived the opening number. Now I get to channel my inner Yentl. Papa can you hear me?
Heather Parcells
While I'm dancing my butt off onstage, our stage right props guy, Owen, got ahold of my camera. He goofed off with Michael Paternostro and our ASM, Brian Bogen, in the SM office
Heather Parcells
Time to go to Church, Dianna Barger gets her church lady hat pinned on. Mine is on Sam's head. It looks better on her!
Heather Parcells
Nina Simone and her Mama before church. (Amber Iman and Vasthy Mompoint, who is also her understudy)
Heather Parcells
"Kiva Moed"
Heather Parcells
Pre-church time therapy session. Today we decided which character everyone would be if we were doing "Harry Potter the Musical." I apparently am Ginny Weasly
Heather Parcells
FINALLY Intermission. Aren't my little men so cute??
Heather Parcells
Vasthy sits in her clothing basket and reads during intermission. She is NOT to be disturbed. Harry Potter is priority
Heather Parcells
About to start Act 2 in the stage left hallway. (Cue the Meunsters Music entracte) with Eric Anderson, Vasthy Mompoint, Dianna Barger and Abdur Rahim Jackson
Heather Parcells
The BEST part of our show: HIPPIE CLOTHES!!! It means no more costume changes, well at least for the ensemble. "Wolfman Jack" (Ron Orbach) needs to shed the fringe again.
Heather Parcells
For some reason they gave me a "Butt Bag" as my prop! What were they trying to tell me?
Heather Parcells
Good old Michael Paternostro. He's so perfect as a greasy agent. Love the ascot!
Heather Parcells
This cast seriously reads too much! Well, not much else to do when there is NO CELL PHONE SERVICE in the theater.
Heather Parcells
If you want to know where our swings (Richard Cerrato and Afra Hines) are, just consult the swing magnet board. They may be in the Caribbean… or the doghouse!
Heather Parcells
A short break in the SM office. We don't have a green room, but we are well stocked with snacks and apparently Ziploc bags. (Alex Frolingher, Dianna Barger, Ron Orbach, Jamie Jackson and Brian Bogen)
Heather Parcells
Ian Paget and Ryan Strand came to the SM office to see what all the hoopla was. Blame Jamie Jackson for the noise
Heather Parcells
Abdur Rahim Jackson shows off his Alvin Ailey/Juilliard training. Okay so he's choreographed for Beyonce. Big deal!
Heather Parcells
Alex Frohlinger has been teaching me how to TWERK. She can do it upside down as well as in a crocheted dress no less
Heather Parcells
About ready for me to move a set piece (Thank you Actors Equity for that extra $8.00/week) while the rest of the cast takes a backstage vocal cue.
Heather Parcells
It's a mad dash to the wig room in the basement after the bows. Ian Paget beat me and got his wig off first.
Heather Parcells
Jamie Jackson turns into a Werewolf as he gets his wig off
Heather Parcells
I went straight from the theater to my bed between shows for a nap...
Heather Parcells
And I woke up at this time! Did I mention I have half hour call at 7:30 and I'm 5 stops away on a not-so-regular train???
Heather Parcells
Whew!!!! Made it in time to get my dinner of champions (it's cheese btw) and run into the theater. Oh look! It's me up on the marquee!!!
Heather Parcells
Ran by this rowdy group. It's The Child Wrangler Rachel with Teddy, Ethan, our cellist, Tara Young, and Michael Paternostro. Maybe I should have slept at the theater instead.
Heather Parcells
Ryan, Ron, and Amber were all watching YouTube when I walked in. This is what we do when all the patrons are going to their seats...
Heather Parcells
After starting the second show, I ran downstairs to wardrobe and signed the Soul Doctor Gypsy Robe patch.
Heather Parcells
We did it! 2 Show Day accomplished. SHE-BREWS out!!!