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Manchester Community Theater Players’ production set

By Staff | May 2, 2021

Manchester Community Theater Players’ Second Stage Professional Company will present the world premiere of Miriam: First Woman Prophet. May 21-23 both as a live-stream show and limited reserved seating in the theater (due to Covid restrictions). Miriam was written by New Hampshire’s Dr. Alan D. Kaplan and Tom Anastasi, featuring music by the Jewish song-writer Debbie Friedman, arranged for four-part harmony and orchestra by Or Oren. Both Debbie and Or have international followings and Debbie’s music is sung in Temples and Churches around the world. Miriam’s community theatre cast was just 7 days from production in 2020 when the show was paused due to Covid, but has regrouped. All cast members will be vaccinated and Covid tested just prior to opening night.

The play follows the life of Miriam, the first prophetess, beginning as a young woman saving Moses’ life through the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, receiving the ten commandments, to their arrival in the Holy Land. This biblical story comes to life with a talented 17-person cast, high-tech digital scenery, and dazzling costumes and choreography. Anastasi said, “Many people know parts of the story, but being able to experience it live with music direction by Judy Hayward (winner of many NH Theatre Awards), a live band, and choreography by Margaret Winder will make for an unforgettable night.”

The idea for the show originated from a conversation between show director Alan Kaplan and Debbie Friedman 18 years ago while traveling together to Israel. Debbie’s spiritual role model was Miriam and her dream was to have a musical written about a Jewish biblical woman. Alan suggested combining her music with a story line about the life of Miriam. He and Tom Anastasi then wrote and refined the script with Debbie’s review over six years. Unfortunately, Debbie passed away in 2011, but through her sister Cheryl, MCTP was able to obtain the rights to use the music. Kaplan added “This is the show I promised Debbie I would bring to the stage.”

Debbie Freidman created 22 albums and toured all over the world including three concerts at Carnegie Hall. Her music is part of the Sabbath services in most reform and conservative Jewish congregations and has been adopted as part of the music in churches as well. Her upbeat melodies and liturgical inspired lyrics have created a following of young composers. When the cast heard the music the first time, they instantly fell in love with it. Arranger Or Oren has taken music that was intended to be sung by one person with a guitar and arranged and voiced it with a Broadway sound. Kaplan remarked – “It may well be the successor to the Broadway hit Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat.”

New Hampshire native Mark Schoenfeld, the writer of the Broadway musical Brooklyn, said, “Debbie is the Joan Baez of Jewish music.” “For good reason” notes co-author Tom Anastasi “because the songs range from soulful to very high energy that will have the audience on their feet singing, dancing and keeping the rhythm. Audiences will be humming the melodies or singing the words on their way home.” After this production/workshop, the team plans to take the show to New York City later this year.

Miriam: First Woman Prophet: A New Musical will be held at the MCTP Theatre at The North End Montessori School, 698 Beech Street, in Manchester. Shows are May 21 and May 22 at 7:30 p.m. and May 23 at 2 p.m. The Live-stream can be purchased for $20 per device. In-house Tickets are $20 per person. Patrons must show proof of vaccination, wear a mask, and be socially distanced (pods of up to four will be allowed to sit together.) For more information and tickets, see www.mctp.info.

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