Esther in the Spotlight
a new musical comedy
book, music and lyrics
by Rich Orloff
“Hilarious and surprisingly moving, ESTHER IN THE SPOTLIGHT delighted our audience each and every minute.”
Jeffrey Cahn
Executive Director
Romemu synagogue, NYC
“A huge hit with our audience. Full of laughs and wonderful songs, this show is an instant Purim classic!”
David Eisner
Co-Artistic Director
Harold Green Jewish Theatre, Toronto
“Filled with wit, insight and great heart, ESTHER expresses humanity’s truths.”
Charles Osborne
Cantor
Temple Sinai, Toronto
“Witty, smart and sheer fun. A wonderfully layered Purim shpiel.”
Deborah Baer Mozes
Artistic Director
NBN Theatre Club, Tel Aviv
An irreverent retelling of the Biblical story of Esther, ESTHER IN THE SPOTLIGHT is written in a style described as “Mel Brooks meets The Bible”. Beyond the plentiful gags, however, is the story of a woman who questions the culture of her time, wonders about her destiny, and yearns to make a difference. The 80-minute musical* has five major characters, with a chorus of four (or more) playing a variety of additional roles. The show can be performed with no set and simple costumes.
(*The show can also be performed in a condensed version, with fewer actors, and in a non-musical version. It’s a very flexible show!)
Five of the show’s songs can be viewed on YouTube. They include:
The smart and ever-questioning Esther wonders about the limited paths she’s offered in ancient Persia, as she asks WHAT IS MY SONG?
The deliciously evil Haman encourages the audience to boo him in I LOVE TO BE BOOED.
The pious Mordecai wrestles with whether or not to bow to Haman in WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
The feisty (even when dead) Queen Vashti encourages a reluctant Esther to confront the King about her people’s plight in IT’S YOUR TIME.
Esther admits to the King that she has mixed feelings about her people, but she still wants him to save them in MY PEOPLE.
ESTHER IN THE SPOTLIGHT has been produced at synagogues and theaters in New York City, Miami, Toronto and Tel Aviv. For a perusal script, just ask!
No gefilte fish were harmed in the making of this musical.
