“Soul Doctor”
Oy gevalt is one of those lines you might hear Eric Anderson, lead role in the new Broadway production “Soul Doctor” saying. Anderson, who previously played Don Quixote in Man of La Mancha and Doctor Frank N Furter, in “The Rocky Horror Show”, is one of those characters you cannot ignore. He has a strong stage presents that can never be forgotten, and is hard to change. After seeing “soul Doctor” where Anderson plays Rabbi Shlomo Carlbach, I would have fought with anyone who questions Andersons’ true religion, clearly he is Jewish. But in truth he is not.
“Soul Doctor” is a play about Rabbi Shlomo Carlbach. Carlbach was an orthodox Jew that grew up; pre-world war II, in Nazi occupied Vienna, Austria. When the Nazis brought “hell” onto the Carlbach family, young Shlomo goes out to the streets and starts giving to the needy to express his desperation, while singing his inner feelings. When the Nazis kicked the Carlbach out of Austria, they moved to New York where his father forms a small orthodox synagogue. The chief idea of the synagogue was to retain the learning style Jews have practiced for centuries. After being stifled by the learning, Shlomo escapes to jazz clubs, without his father’s permission, where he befriends the black jazz singer Nina Simone (played by Amber Iman). They bond over the fact that both their people have been persecuted and tortured for decades and are still not treated equally. They travel parallel though separate paths, inspiring their people through sixties music to believe in black power and to return to gods faith.
This production is the biography form of Rabbi Shlomo Carlbach life. He wrote all of the music and some of the additional lyrics to this play. These lyrics are originally part of the improvisation portion of his concerts. He is famous for touching people by telling stories and giving advice through the tune of his melodies. The production itself is very moving, not only because i am Jewish and recognize the tunes from my childhood, but because it touched inner feelings I am sure everyone has questioned at some point in their lives. Where is God? This musical is the story of bringing many lost souls back to faith and the belief in God. The “Soul Doctor”, Rabbi Shlomo Carlbach, sings deep into those young lost souls until they feel god’s presence. He relates to them and makes them feel loved and noticed. He literally is a doctor for their soul.
The circle in the square theater on 50th and Broadway in New York City is the ideal location for this production. The circular and close aspect of the theater adds to the entire experience, The cast dances and sings through the rows while making you feel like you are at one of Carlbach concerts in some scenes, and in others at his temple of love on Haight Street, San Francisco. While they sway with the music they constantly encourage the audience to participate. In one scene Nina Simone approaches various audience members and urges them to clap with her. She even persuades an authentic Hassidic Jew to clap along with her, without touching him of course. Looking to my left and right I noticed everyone had a broad grin from ear to ear exemplifying the pure joy from this uplifting experience.
The costume design by Maggie Morgan is authentic and colorful. The journey Shlomo embarks upon is not only detailed by the script itself, but by the evolution of his style. Growing up he was a classic white shirt black pants kind of guy, abiding by strict rules set forth by his Hassidic sect. After being exposed to rock n’ roll and performing in San Francisco for thousands, he trades in his suit jacket for a groovy vest with a star of David and peace sign of the back.
The set design by Neil Patel was truly creative. The use of the stonewall in the backdrop for Vienna’s cobble streets, New Yorks apartment buildings, and Jerusalem’s Western Wall was a great use of the same prop. The innovative idea by Patel made me feel that I was transported to all of these places.
This is a production I would recommend to all. It is very uplifting and enjoyable. If you enjoy Jewish humor and musicals, this is the perfect combination. Although Anderson is not of the Jewish faith, in my mind he will always be the perfect musical Hassid.
