SOUL DOCTOR Has New Orleans Pre-Broadway Run 5/7-12 At Muriel's Cabaret Space

SOUL DOCTOR, The New Musical about the life and music of Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach is holding its Regional Premiere in New Orleans at Muriel's Cabaret Space at Le Petit Theatre (616 St. Peter Street) from Friday, May 7th through Thursday, May 12th, before heading to Broadway in 2011.

SOUL DOCTOR features a company of Broadway veterans and New Orleans performers including Ben Crawford (Title Character in SHREK, Les Miserables), Loni Ackerman (EVITA, CATS), Carla Hargrove (HAIRSPRAY, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS), Kenny Morris (HAIRSPRAY, LES MISERABLES), John Plumpis (THE LION KING), Richard Hutton (Two-Time Big Easy nominee), Keith Claverie, Brian Falgoust, Kristina Morales, Bailey Purvis, Cliff Thompson, Kenneth Thompson, Samantha Smart, Jonathan May, Maddie Mateer and Donovan Bendana.
"There's no better city in the world to launch the Broadway production of SOUL DOCTOR than New Orleans where soul and music pulsate through the streets day and night", says Writer/Producer Danny Wise. "Shlomo Carlebach performed and recorded here often, and I know that it would mean so much to him that his music is being sung here to bring life and revival to the people of this great city."

"We're thrilled to have Danny Wise and the Company of SOUL DOCTOR here at Le Petit Theatre. Carlebach's gorgeous, uplifting tunes are a perfect match to the vibrancy of our community in the musical mecca of New Orleans' French Quarter", says Holly-Anne Ruggiero, New Orleans Executive Producer. "His celebratory and healing message will ring true to all who hear this work for years to come, and I'm so glad that we can be a part of such a special event."

SOUL DOCTOR features music by Carlebach, a book/libretto by Daniel S. Wise (Rent, producer of the world tour), lyrics and direction by David Schechter (Drama Desk nominee for Hannah Senesh), Musical Direction by Grammy Nominated Artist Seth Farber, Choreography by Michael Raine (The Prince of Grand Street) and additional material by Carlebach's daughter, Neshama Carlebach.

The producing team for SOUL DOCTOR includes Jeremy Chess, Dr. Edward Steinberg, Joel Kahn, Jerome Levy and Daniel S. Wise. General Management is provided by Frankel-Green Management who's Broadway Producing and Management credits include HAIRSPRAY, THE PRODUCERS, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN and SWEENEY TODD.

SOUL DOCTOR tells the story of the foremost innovator in Jewish Music of the 20th Century, and one of the most pivotal, unconventional and controversial Jewish personalities of the post WWII generation. Featuring over 40 of Carlebach's soulful and joyful melodies, SOUL DOCTOR is the true story of the rabbi/troubadour who ignited the spirit of Jews around the world with his music, stories and boundless love. As a child, he narrowly escaped from Hitler's Germany. Once in America, his next dramatic journey took him from the traditional yeshiva world to becoming the first emissary of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. In his astonishing rise as a music star in the 1960's folk scene, he shared the stage with legends like Bob Dylan, Nina Simone and the Grateful Dead. He reinvented the Jewish experience with "The House of Love & Prayer", his hippie commune in San Francisco. Beloved and controversial, Shlomo traveled the world mending broken hearts through his boundless love and joyous music. Today, his songs continue to inspire millions.

On Sunday, May 9th, SOUL DOCTOR will host a special Mother's Day brunch in the Courtyard of Le Petit during the 11AM PERFORMANCE featuring fresh Kosher Bagels, flown in from H&H Bagels in New York.

Muriel's Cabaret Theatre is located in Le Petit Theatre at 616 St. Peter Street New Orleans, LA 70116; 504.522.2087. To learn more and to purchase tickets, go to www.lepetittheatre.com or www.shlomomusical.com. Tickets are $59 which includes the 6 tastings of wines.