From an unprecedented collaboration of international artists comes A Song of Songs, a critically acclaimed musical play, and winner of The San Francisco Critics Award for the best new production. A Song of Songs fuses a world music score, Middle Eastern harmonics, dazzling choreography and an inspiring story of passion and awakening. Drawing on influences that span continents and millennia – from ancient feminist eroticism to the sounds of modern European Flamenco, Klezmer and the Middle-East.
A Song of Songs tells the story of a young wife (Ofra Daniel) in a loveless marriage who discovers she has an unseen admirer. Intrigued, she enters into a mysterious and fervent love affair, finding herself on a dazzling journey of sexual and personal empowerment.
A Song of Songs creative team features a multicultural collection of award-winning artists including the prolific Israeli actress and composer Ofra Daniel (Behind Closed Doors, Edges, What if?, Kassit – The Musical – San Francisco) and composer Lior Ben-Hur (Sol Tevél).
Alongside, there will be five on stage musicians led by Musical Supervisor on keys Thomas F. Arnold: world-renowned Spanish Los Gallos trained Ramon Ruiz on lead flamenco guitar (Gypsy Kings, Anoushka Shankar, Hamza Namira); percussionist Antonio Romero (The Band’s Visit – Donmar); plus upright bass Ashley Blasse, clarinet Daniel Gouly and klezmer violin Amy Morwenna Price – who together will be creating and jamming, bringing their own inclusive fusion of extraordinary musicality.
This new production of A Song of Songs is a true multicultural theatrical event. The 2017 San Francisco premiere had audiences on their feet and was hailed as ‘extraordinary… lush… full of surprises… Highest Rating! This story seems ordained by gods!’ (San Francisco Chronicles).
In the press
OFFIE Nominated for Sound Design
OFFIE Nominated for Musical Direction
★★★★★ ‘Captivating show’
Morning Star
★★★★ ‘Spellbinding…a musical masterpiece.’
Adventures in Theatreland
★★★★ ‘Bright and expressive… I came away brimming with new energy.’
All That Dazzles
★★★★ ‘On a par with some West End productions I have seen, this is not one to miss before the run ends!’
Theatre and Tonic
★★★★ ‘The musicality is undoubtedly the star of the show… a musical feast’
The Spy in the Stalls
★★★★ ‘Intelligently written, sensitively directed and fiercely performed – a triumph of adventurous collaboration’
Musical Theatre Review
‘Commanding… mesmerising to watch.’
WhatsOnStage
‘Daniel’s performance is an intensely passionate portrayal of all-consuming desire.’
The Stage
‘Whether through the stamps and flowing skirts of flamenco or thumping percussive beats, the physicality of the piece takes centre stage.’
Broadway World
‘There’s no denying this is a sensual and stimulating watch.’
Theatre Weekly
‘The music is central to the play and wonderful… a stellar production’
Jewish News
Creative Team
WRITER AND DIRECTOR | OFRA DANIEL
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR | VICTORIA GÓNGORA
MUSIC | OFRA DANIEL & LIOR BEN HUR in collaboration with ALI PARIS
CHOREOGRAPHER I BILLY MITCHELL
LIGHTING DESIGNER | AARON J DOOTSON
SOUND DESIGNER | ANDREW JOHNSON
MUSICAL SUPERVISOR | THOMAS F. ARNOLD
SET DESIGNER | MARINA PAZ
PRODUCTION MANAGER | JAMES ANDERTON
CASTING DIRECTOR | JANE DEITCH
PRODUCER | JOHN GERTZ
GENERAL MANAGEMENT | ARIA ENTERTAINMENT
Download the biographies of the creative team here.
Cast
OFRA DANIEL
LAUREL DOUGALL
REBECCA GIACOPAZZI
SHIRA KRAVITZ
ASHLEIGH SCHUMAN
JOAQUIN PEDRO VALDES
MATTHEW WOODYATT
Download the biographies of the cast here.
John Gertz in association with Love Sick Development LLC and Park Theatre present the European Premiere of
A Song of Songs
Written and Directed by Ofra Daniel, Associate Director Victoria Góngora, Music by Ofra Daniel and Lior Ben Hur in collaboration with Ali Paris