Full Casting Announced for New York Return of "Rock-Star Rabbi" Musical Soul Doctor

Full casting has been announced for the off-Broadway return of Soul Doctor, set to play the The Actors Temple Theatre beginning November 26, with opening night set for December 14.

Jewish pop musician Josh Nelson, who leads high-holiday services annually at the 92nd Street Y, will take on the role of "rock-star Rabbi" Shlomo Carlebach, alongside Dan'yelle Williamson as Nina Simone. Dianna Barger, Dylan Boyd, Debra Cardona, Jacob Heimer, Anthony Laciura, Don Meehan, and Hayden Wall. Lee Hollis Bussie, Rosalie Graziano, Janelle McDermoth, Erin Mosher, John Plumpis, and Jesse Swimm complete the company.

The musical follows Carlebach's life, from his escape from Nazi Germany to his friendship with jazz singer Nina Simone, to his rise to fame as a musician in the 1960s, playing with the likes of Jefferson Airplane and the Grateful Dead. This new one-act version of the musical will be directed and choreographed by Mindy Cooper. On the creative team are David Goldstein (scenic design), Tristan Raines (costume design), Zach Blane (lighting design), Raymond Schilke (sound design), Brad Peterson (projection design), Steve Margoshes (orchestrations), Seth Faber (musical director), and Jim Morgan (associate musical director).

With a book by Daniel S. Wise, and lyrics by David Schechter, Soul Doctor played 32 previews and 66 performances at Broadway's Circle in the Square Theatre in 2013. It first played a three-week guest run at New York Theatre Workshop in 2012.

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