Broadway-bound Musical Song of Solomon Has One-Night-Only Preview to Benefit Actor’s Temple
By: Ellis Nassour
Andrew Beall a
nd Neil Van Leeuwen’s Broadway-bound musical,"Song of Solomon, an epic romance based on the biblical tale set in ancient Israel, will have a one-night-only preview November 17 at 7:45 P.M. to benefit the historic Actors’ Temple [339 West 47th Street].
Drama Desk winner and Tony nominee Robert Cuccioli (upcoming revival Elf, original Jekyll & Hyde, Spider- Man: Turn Off the Dark) has captured the lead role of king of Israel, with Ann McCormack as Almah [the young love of his life], Jesse Manocherian (Parade) as Ruben and the Narrator. The musical takes place over seven years from the court of Solomon to the new temple.
Directing the cast of six is Markus Potter. Music directing the 10-piece orchestra is Eugene Gwozdz. Carol Ostrow of Carol Ostrow Productions is producing in association with Susan Oreskes. Ostrow will host along with Robert Reicher. This annual fund-raising gala will also include a pre-performance dinner at Restaurant Row’s Da Rosina Restaurante.
"A musical this steeped in history and beauty is a perfect fit for a Temple as historic and legendary as the Actors Temple, where all are welcome," says Ostrow. "The Temple has walls of photos of the stars who worshiped there."
A storied list of talent from vaudeville, cabaret, TV, stage, and film worshipped at the Temple. Among these show business luminaries were Jack Benny, Milton Berle, Red Buttons, Eddie Cantor, George Jessel, Al Jolson, Sandy Koufax, Burt Lahr, Joe E. Lewi, The Marz Brothers, the Ritz Brothers, Edward G. Robinson, members of the Three Stooges, Sophie Tucker, Sylvia Weinstein [wife of legendary columnist and TV host Ed Sullivan], Shelley Winters and, among many more, Henny Youngman. Frank Sinatra was also a friend of the Temple. A current member is actress Jackie Hoffman.
The evening will honor Edmund Gaynes, producer, general manager of Actors Temple Theatgre, and long-time general manager of the Theatre at St. Luke’s West 46th Street]; Kurt Peterson (LCT West Side Story, Dear World, original Follies), producer and performer; Lortel Award-winning producer Eva Price; and Mike Libien, member and past president of the Temple board in honor and gratitude of the generosity of his family, among them his grandfather Meyer, a founding member of the Temple. Jill Hausman is the Temple rabbi.
The Actors’ Temple/Congregation Ezrath Isreael, founded in 1917 with the current building dating to 1923, has a unique double life – as an Off-Broadway theatre, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The annual fund-raisers are in support of renovation and restoration costs.
Tickets range from $100 – $5,000. To purchase, visit 212-245-6975 or www.theactorstemple.org or calls (212) 245-6975. Dinner is at 6 P.M. Following the musical, there’ll be dessert and coffee.
