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Confessions of a Rabbi's DaughterOpening Date: May 23, 2018
Closing Date: May 23, 2018 (dates reflect JW3 run) Air date: August, 2018 Medium: online Where to watch: Scenesaver and YouTube |
Stage Production Notes
Rachel Wiseman has always wanted to make her father, Rabbi Wiseman, proud by becoming a Rabbitzen (a Rabbi’s Wife). As her parents plan their daughter’s forthcoming nuptials, her friendship with Sarah blossoms into love. Rachel’s turbulent emotional struggle to decide between her heart and her father’s dreams is presented through songs that promise to pluck the heartstrings and make you smile.
Confessions of a Rabbi’s Daughter was written and performed by London based musical theatre writer Emily Rose Simons, her first full musical. Simons is a London based musical theatre writer. Although fictional, the narrative was inspired by friends true stories. Simons' work has been performed around the UK and the United States. She studied at the Graduate Musical Theater Writing Program at NYU, The CRY HAVOC Company apprenticeship program, and Book, Music, Lyrics workshops in London. She is currently a participant in the Advance Mercury Musical Developments Workshop and a resident artist of The Skeleton Rep.
The musical was first performed at the inaugural York Musical Theatre Festival in July 2013, and at the Edinburgh Fringe at the Mood Nightclub in August 2013.
TW Culture reviewer Victoria Beardwood praised the musical as “charming,” “lyrically strong,” and “full of touching and original ideas,” though she felt that Emily Rose Simons “struggled a little in the execution.” Carrie Gooch for Scotsgay Fringe was “captivated” by the show, noting Simons “is a young performer, with a new show… and I am sure she will grow in strength and confidence of delivery.”
In March 2014, Confessions toured throughout the US, produced by Joella Tepper Sarah. Venues included the Workmen’s Circle in Boston and The Complex in Los Angeles.
In the summer of 2014, produced Ilai Szpiezak, with musical directed by David Merriman, the musical was performed at various festivals and venues around the UK. Performances included Brighton’s Marlborough Theatre in February, the Clore Studio as part of the Accidental Festival in May, the Barnstaple Fringe TheatreFest in June, and Upstairs at the Gatehouse as part of the the Camden Fringe in August.
As with earlier runs, reviewers praised the musical as "charming." Writing for the Jewish News, reviewer Sophie Eastaugh stated the musical “has a message well worth sharing, praising Simons’ performance for its “warmth and sincerity,” and the way it championed “those the community overlooks.” In a review for The Argus, Kirsty Levett stated “Emily Rose Simons deftly switched between decent comedic dialogue and frankly witty, heartfelt songs,”
In July 2017, the musical received further development, and was performed as part of The Tank’s Pridefest under the direction of Lori Steinberg, with musical direction by Andrew Drannon, and lighting design by Erin Jones.
On May 23, 2018, Confessions of a Rabbi's Daughter was performed at JW3 in London under the direction of Lori Steinberg, with musical direction by Joseph Finlay.
Rachel Wiseman has always wanted to make her father, Rabbi Wiseman, proud by becoming a Rabbitzen (a Rabbi’s Wife). As her parents plan their daughter’s forthcoming nuptials, her friendship with Sarah blossoms into love. Rachel’s turbulent emotional struggle to decide between her heart and her father’s dreams is presented through songs that promise to pluck the heartstrings and make you smile.
Confessions of a Rabbi’s Daughter was written and performed by London based musical theatre writer Emily Rose Simons, her first full musical. Simons is a London based musical theatre writer. Although fictional, the narrative was inspired by friends true stories. Simons' work has been performed around the UK and the United States. She studied at the Graduate Musical Theater Writing Program at NYU, The CRY HAVOC Company apprenticeship program, and Book, Music, Lyrics workshops in London. She is currently a participant in the Advance Mercury Musical Developments Workshop and a resident artist of The Skeleton Rep.
The musical was first performed at the inaugural York Musical Theatre Festival in July 2013, and at the Edinburgh Fringe at the Mood Nightclub in August 2013.
TW Culture reviewer Victoria Beardwood praised the musical as “charming,” “lyrically strong,” and “full of touching and original ideas,” though she felt that Emily Rose Simons “struggled a little in the execution.” Carrie Gooch for Scotsgay Fringe was “captivated” by the show, noting Simons “is a young performer, with a new show… and I am sure she will grow in strength and confidence of delivery.”
In March 2014, Confessions toured throughout the US, produced by Joella Tepper Sarah. Venues included the Workmen’s Circle in Boston and The Complex in Los Angeles.
In the summer of 2014, produced Ilai Szpiezak, with musical directed by David Merriman, the musical was performed at various festivals and venues around the UK. Performances included Brighton’s Marlborough Theatre in February, the Clore Studio as part of the Accidental Festival in May, the Barnstaple Fringe TheatreFest in June, and Upstairs at the Gatehouse as part of the the Camden Fringe in August.
As with earlier runs, reviewers praised the musical as "charming." Writing for the Jewish News, reviewer Sophie Eastaugh stated the musical “has a message well worth sharing, praising Simons’ performance for its “warmth and sincerity,” and the way it championed “those the community overlooks.” In a review for The Argus, Kirsty Levett stated “Emily Rose Simons deftly switched between decent comedic dialogue and frankly witty, heartfelt songs,”
In July 2017, the musical received further development, and was performed as part of The Tank’s Pridefest under the direction of Lori Steinberg, with musical direction by Andrew Drannon, and lighting design by Erin Jones.
On May 23, 2018, Confessions of a Rabbi's Daughter was performed at JW3 in London under the direction of Lori Steinberg, with musical direction by Joseph Finlay.
Filmed Production Notes
Confessions of a Rabbi’s Daughter was filmed live at JW3.
The video was made available on YouTube in August 2018, where it is still available to view. The musical was also made available to view on Scenesaver in 2020.
Confessions of a Rabbi’s Daughter was filmed live at JW3.
The video was made available on YouTube in August 2018, where it is still available to view. The musical was also made available to view on Scenesaver in 2020.
Confessions of a Rabbi's Daughter PRODUCTION CREDITS
Theatre: JW3, London
Book, Music, & Lyrics: Emily Rose Simons
Director: Lori Steinberg
Musical Director: Joseph Finlay
Cast:
Emily Rose Simons
Theatre: JW3, London
Book, Music, & Lyrics: Emily Rose Simons
Director: Lori Steinberg
Musical Director: Joseph Finlay
Cast:
Emily Rose Simons
Sources
Articles
Websites
- Shari Barrett, “BWW Reviews: New British Musical CONFESSIONS OF A RABBI'S DAUGHTER Makes LA Debut,” Broadway World Los Angeles (March 28, 2014)
- Victoria Beardwood, “Confessions Of A Rabbi’s Daughter (Emily Rose / PBH’s Free Fringe)” TW Culture (7 Aug 2013)
- Sophie Eastaugh, “REVIEW: Confessions of a Rabbis Daughter,” Jewish News (Aug 21, 2014)
- Carrie Gooch, “Confessions of a Rabbi’s Daughter,” SG Fringe (Aug 5, 2013)
- Tony Gussin, “Confessions of a Rabbi’s Daughter,” North Devon Gazette (June 11, 2014)
- Charles Hutchinson, “York New Musical Festival, Joseph Rowntree Theatre, July 21 to 31,” York Press (April 17, 2013)
- Kirsty Levett, “Confessions Of A Rabbi’s Daughter, Marlborough Theatre, Brighton, February 8” The Argus (Feb 10, 2014)
- Emily Snowden, “Confessions of a Rabbi’s Daughter - Preview,” We Love Brighton (Jan 8, 2014)
- Zoe Steel, “Confessions of a Rabbi’s Daughter,” Jewish Online (March 23, 2020)
Websites
- The Boston Calendar, “Confessions of a Rabbi’s Daughter,” Accessed via: https://www.thebostoncalendar.com/events/confessions-of-a-rabbi-s-daughter
- British Comedy Guide, “Edinburgh Fringe (2014): Emily Rose: Confessions of a Rabbi’s Daughter,” Accessed via: https://www.comedy.co.uk/fringe/2014/emily_rose/
- Emily Rose Simons, Accessed via: https://www.songsofemilyrose.com/
- Facebook, “Confessions of a Rabbi’s Daughter,” Accessed via: https://www.facebook.com/ConfessionsOfARabbisDaughter/
- Roundhouse, “Accidental Festival 2014: Confession of a Rabbi’s Daughter,” Accessed via: https://www.roundhouse.org.uk/whats-on/accidental-festival-2014/confession-of-a-rabbis-daughter/
- Online Fringe Festival, “Confessions of a Rabbi’s Daughter,” Accessed via: https://www.onlinefringefestival.com/shows/confessions-of-a-rabbis-daughter/
Written by Luisa Lyons (January, 2021)