ESTHER, SWEET ESTHER’S ROAD TO BROADWAY
By Malcolm Barnes
Posted on: May 23, 2018
Kyaunnee Richardson once again filled the soaring Lincoln Library of Trump International Hotel with her angelic rendition of “ESTHER, SWEET ESTHER,” an operetta by Jeremiah & Wendy Ginsberg that took another step to the Great White Way!
“The road to Broadway begins tonight,” said Wendy Ginsberg after a piano concerto by Pascal Salomon and a full reading by the Master Storyteller, Jeremiah Ginsberg, and 14 stirring songs that tell the story of how an unlikely Jewish [orphan] becomes the Queen of Persia and saves her people from genocide.
Adding to the Broadway quality of the operetta was a first-rate cast of veteran of the New York Grand Opera, Stephen Len White as the dashing King Ahasuerus; master baritone Jose Sacin as Esther’s tribal protector, Mordecai; veteran comedic personality Mark Ferrera as the Arch Villain, Haman; and the ‘Jewish Jewel’ Jamie Ellen DeOlivera who kicked off the evening with two stanzas of the National Anthem, followed by the National Anthem of Israel, “HaTikvah.”
But Opera Fusion’s Emerging Artist Kyaunnee Richardson, from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida was the hands down Star of the show as the lead character of Esther. Her radiant aura and polished dignified manner made you forget that she was the only Black performer in the show, which had an unvarnished Jewish point-of-view.
“The business of Broadway is booming with $1.6 Billion in ticket sales last year. Call it the ‘Hamilton Effect,’ with tickets going for over $1,000.00,” said Wendy Ginsberg as Jeremiah Theatricals pitched hard for donations to their non-profit organizations and to possible investors in the audience.
Joining the Ginsbergs following the encore was veteran Public Relations maven, Jan DuPlain, who worked her magic with the National Press Club in the previous staging of “ESTHER, SWEET ESTHER” to set the table for the Trump International Hotel event.
The Ginsberg’s envision a full Broadway production and a cast of 40 after a limited engagement in a DC area theater, and then on to New York City! And if anybody can pull it off, former entertainment lawyer, jazz musician and producer Jeremiah Ginsberg has the Godfather persona to get it done.
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Enjoy an Exclusive Presentation of Music, Songs & Scenes
From The Pre-Broadway Operetta
Esther, Sweet Esther
on May 21, 2018 at Trump International Hotel
Jeremiah Theatricals presents the Biblical story of Esther to celebrate Israel’s 70th anniversary, and to commemorate President Donald Trump’s decisions both to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and to move the U.S. Embassy there. Selected songs and scenes will be musically brought to life for an invited group of theatre lovers on May 21, 2018 at the Trump International Hotel.
Esther, Sweet Esther is a moving story about a courageous Jewish maiden who, after becoming Queen of Persia, risks her life to save her people.
Audiences of all ages and faiths will be touched by its contemporary significance and charmed by its lilting music.
WHO: The cast of six stage and screen actors includes Stephen Len White as “The King” and Kyaunnee Richardson as “Esther.” Both appeared in the standing-ovation event last summer at The National Press Club, plus the distinguished DC-area operatic baritone, Jose Sacin, who will perform the role of “Mordecai.” To begin the evening, there will be a pre-show concert by renowned classical pianist, Pascal Salomon (of Jerome Barry’s Embassy Series fame), performing selected songs from the musical which he creatively transcribed for piano.
WHAT: Esther, Sweet Esther, the Broadway-bound musical, returns for a one-night-only concert version presentation of songs and scenes to generate excitement and participation in a start-up production in a DC-area theatre before heading to New York City.
WHEN: Monday, May 21, 2018, 7:00 to 9:30 PM
(Light refreshments with the cast & creative team after the presentation.)
WHERE: The Trump International Hotel, 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 695-1100
WHY: Whereas President Donald Trump has boldly recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, and is courageously planning to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, and in honor of Israel’s 70th Anniversary, Jeremiah Theatricals is planning to bring to the stage the well-loved story of Esther to commemorate this momentous time in history.
In addition to being first-class, family friendly entertainment, Esther, Sweet Esther inspires hope for the persecuted and uplifts the downtrodden with joy.
Jeremiah Theatricals, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, will welcome tax-deductible sponsorship donations toward a start-up production in the Washington, DC-area before moving the show to New York City. There will also be an opportunity for up to four accredited investors to participate by front money agreements. Bring your checkbooks! Co-producers welcome!
Limited free seating.
For info, contact:
Jan DuPlain, Publicist
(202) 486-7004
jan@duplain.com
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Esther, Sweet Esther!
by Joe David
There wasn’t a single dry eye in the room at the National Press Club after two performers finished singing their musical medley from the two-act operetta Esther, Sweet Esther – presented by Jeremiah Theatricals.
The original new operetta by Jeremiah and Wendy Ginsberg, based on the Biblical story of Esther, will be making a pre-Broadway visit to Washington for a one-night premiere concert at the National Press Club on Sunday, July 30, 2017. During the performance for the Host Committee Tuesday at the National Press Club, Esther took center stage where it joyfully released some of its musical magic to a spell-bound group of visitors from the media, theater and arts.
“The operetta isn’t just another musical in concert,” Wendy Ginsberg said. “With its Broadway-style delivery and uplifting message, it is more meaningful than the typical Broadway-bound production. Esther, Sweet Esther could be compared to Candide or Les Miserables with its strong theme, charming music and acting finesse.” (Read more at Hollywood On The Potomac.)
July 13, 2017 | Travis Holler, Bisnow
Tuesday evening, we headed to the National Press Club’s Bloomberg Room for a special reception for the upcoming opera “Esther, Sweet Esther.”
Read more at https://www.bisnow.com/washington-dc/news/washington-dc-scene/esther-sweet-esther-76546
Many thanks to the famous Willard Intercontinental Hotel for the discount rates on Accommodations and Rehearsal Space extraordinaire!