Some shows look like, well, they aren't ready yet. They show promise. A nip here, a tuck there, and you could really have something. But at the moment, they're not there yet. "Jerusalem Syndrome" isn't one of those. It's a tight, fast-paced musical that tells an entertaining story with great characters, dialogue and songs, including lyrics and music. It's a show that has it all and is so well done, it feels like Broadway just in a smaller building.
The York Theatre, to start with, is a topnotch group that presents exciting new musicals, often as good as it gets anywhere. It's Broadway in all ways except the size of the building. With book and lyrics by Laurence Holzman and Felicia Needleman and music by Kyle Rosen, "Jerusalem Syndrome" is a seamless, smooth musical. It tells the story of tourists in Israel who suddenly begin to believe they are figures from the Bible. The story goes off in comic and mythic directions like a Middle Eastern "Man of La Mancha." We see romance, ridiculous behavior and human beings enamored of their dreams to be Biblical characters.
A simple thing done well is difficult enough. This is a complicated musical and plot. But the songs, music with the help of music director Miles Plant and choreography by Alex Sanchez, literally take off. The show, directed by Don Stephenson, includes a cast populated by actors who have appeared on Broadway. "The Jerusalem Syndrome" is so well executed that it seemed flawless. It's a musical comedy in a very classic sense, but one that excels at every level from music to lyrics to dialogue to character to story. York is a great group. This is a great show. With a little luck, audiences next year will meet again at "Jerusalem Syndrome."
I loved this show! So funny and uplifting. Saw it twice.