After a run at New York Theatre Workshop earlier this summer, the Shlomo Carlebach bio-musical Soul Doctor is eyeing a run at either Broadway's Circle in the Square Theatre or off-Broadway's New World Stages, according to the New York Times. No dates for the show's potential transfer have been announced at this time.
Written and directed by Daniel Wise and featuring music by Carlebach, Nina Simone and lyrics by David Schechter, the musical tells the story of beloved yet controversial father of popular Jewish music, rabbi Shlomo Carlebach, and his friendship with Nina Simone. Beginning with his childhood escape from Nazi Germany, the show follows Carlebach's surprising journey as he becomes a rabbinical prodigy in America, discovers gospel and soul music through his friendship with Simone, and has a meteoric rise as a “Rock Star Rabbi.” In the '60s he performed with the likes of Bob Dylan, Jefferson Airplane and the Grateful Dead. However stardom had a price, and Carlebach had to make peace with his family, faith and personal demons.
The New York Theatre Workshop production starred Eric Anderson (South Pacific) and Erica Ash (MadTV, Baby It’s You) as Carlebach and Simone, respectively. The cast also featured Meredith Kaye Clarke (Wicked), Ryan Strand (Jersey Boys), Kenny Morris, Rachel Stern, Dionne Figgins, Ryan Duncan and Julia Osborne. The production ran from July 31 through August 19.