THE NOT EXACTLY XMAS SHOW Returns To The Broad Stage

Israel's iconic singer-songwriter, guitarist and UNICEF goodwill ambassador David Broza returns to perform his The Not Exactly Xmas Show at The Broad Stage on Thursday, December 21 at 7:30pm. This is Broza's second consecutive December at The Broad Stage with his signature concert, which he has been performing in New York City for over 20 years.

Part of a coast-to-coast winter tour, Broza is celebrating 40 years since the release of his best-known song, "Yihye Tov" (Things Will Be Better). The well-known composition was written in 1977 during the Arab-Israeli peace talks between Egyptian president Anwar Sadat and Israeli prime minister Menachem Begin, and has become an anthem of the Israeli peace movement.

Joining Broza on stage is a world-class group of seasoned and rising stars: From Palestine, Berklee School of Music graduate and qanun virtuoso Ali Paris; from Israel and NYC on guitars Jonathan Levy; from Israel on piano and keyboards Shaul Eshet; from New York, also a Berklee graduate, on recorders Tali Rubinstein; from Israel on drums Yuval Lion, and also from Israel on bass guitar Uri Kleinman.

Tickets are on sale at www.thebroadstage.org or by calling 310-434-3200.

The tour follows the release of Broza's album titled The Set List, a collection of studio and live recordings celebrating David Broza's career as one of Israel's most important cultural figures. "Yihye Tov" is represented on The Set List with a live version recorded in 2007 at Broza's annual concert held at the totemic fortress of Masada, and features special guests Shawn Colvin and Jackson Browne.

"We need to communicate if we are not to leave it to the voices of doubters, of prejudice and hatred. You cannot allow people to think that it is just black and white. We need education if we are to learn how to create respect. It is not that I don't see evil, bad, negativity and violence. I see it and I refuse to submit to it," Broza said recently in The Guardian (March 12, 2017).

Broza garnered widespread acclaim for his 2013 album East Jerusalem West Jerusalem, produced by GRAMMY Award-winner Steve Earle, and recorded in its entirety in the Palestinian Sabreen Studio in East Jerusalem. The work, featuring a band of both Israeli and Palestinian musicians, resulted in a beautiful, intimate documentary of the same name. Vanity Fair called the documentary "extraordinary" and added "if no one else is going to try and heal the world, he will." East Jerusalem West Jerusalem is currently streaming on Netflix. The title track, co-written by and featuring Wyclef Jean, appears on The Set List.

The Set List also includes "The Long Road", featuring Irish singer Maura O'Connell. The song, written by Cliff Eberhardt, was recorded in 1998, but was shelved along with the ensuing album after Broza sustained serious injuries following a car crash.

Stream selections from The Set List here: http://bit.ly/2np0hzZ

For more information about David Broza, please visit www.davidbroza.net

About The Broad Stage

The Broad Stage, beginning its landmark 10th season, offers theatre, dance, film, opera, jazz, world music, musicals, symphony and chamber orchestras, family programming and more. Each genre features superlative talent from every generation and around the globe. No other performing arts center west of the 405 can boast such consistently stellar lineups of performers, including André Watts, Anna Netrebko, Sir James Galway, Sutton Foster, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Patti LuPone, Aaron Neville, Lee Ritenou, Dave Grusin, Joshua Redman, Lil Buck, Bobby McFerrin, Helen Hunt, Academy of St Martin in the Fields and many others.

In addition to The Broad Stage, The Edye, our 100-seat black box theater, presents new, developing and innovative work in theatre, music and dance as part of our Under the Radar Series, as well as offerings from our other genres. Featuring younger, emerging artists, chamber pieces and plays, programming at The Edye reflects the dynamic nature of the space and allows for the latest, most exciting artists to be booked on short notice.

The Broad Stage's Education and Community Programs offer opportunities for cultural exposure through various student events, currently reaching more than 20,000 children, parents, educators and community members every year.