Soul Doctor to Re-Open at the Actor's Temple Off-B'way

It has been reported that the 2013 Broadway production of Soul Doctor is set to return off-Broadway at the Actor's Temple Theatre from 1 December 2014, with an opening night set for 15 December 2014.

The original Broadway production opened at Broadway's Circle in the Square on 15 Aug 2013, following previews from 17 Jul 2013. It posted early closing notices for 13 Oct 2013, playing 32 previews and 66 regular performances.

The musical opened to mixed, but mostly poor reviews: Eric Anderson ... will leave you grinning from ear to ear (newyorktheatreguide); Bizarre and at times bewildering (NYT); Terminally earnest and relentlessly sunny (NYDN); A few sublime moments in an otherwise flawed work (NY1).

Soul Doctor tells the story of the beloved yet controversial father of popular Jewish music, Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach and explores his unlikely friendship with the 'High Priestess of Soul' Nina Simone. Beginning with his childhood escape from Nazi Germany, the show takes us on a musical odyssey through the challenges and triumphs of this cultural phenomenon, as he becomes a rabbinical prodigy in America, discovers Gospel and Soul music during his unlikely friendship with Simone, and has a meteoric rise as a 'Rock Star Rabbi' in the 1960's, performing with Bob Dylan, Jefferson Airplane and the Grateful Dead.

Written and directed by Daniel Wise, with choreography by Benoit-Swan Pouffer, the show features music by Carlebach, lyrics by David Schechter, with additional music and arrangements by Nina Simone.

The creative team features set design by Neil Patel, costumes by Maggie Morgan, lighting design by Jeff Croiter amd sound design byJohn Shivers and David Patridge.

Casting, and confirmation of the new off-Broadway engagement are yet to be confirmed.

- by Dom O'Hanlon