David Serero stars as Moses in the U.S. Premiere of "The Ten Commandments, The Musical"
David Serero, critically acclaimed international award-winning opera singer, actor, director and producer has returned to the New York stage with a sparkling production of “The Ten Commandments, The Musical” in a very limited engagement at the Center for Jewish History (15 West 16th Street, New York, NY.)
This new production dramatizes, through song and performance, the biblical story of the life of Moses, an adopted Egyptian prince who becomes the deliverer of his real brethren, the enslaved Hebrews, and after that leads the Exodus to Mount Sinai.
While music, in its many forms, has been a part of the theatrical experience since ancient times, musical theater as we have come to know it is a more modern concept, emerging from earlier commedia della’arte, and later the popular operettas of Herve and Offenbach in France and Gilbert and Sullivan in the UK. American musical theater emerged from variety revues, minstrel shows and vaudeville, eventually evolving into the big budget, world-renowned merging of art and entertainment that we know today as “Broadway.” But each nation and culture has developed its own unique style and tradition for this art form.
Mr. Serero’s NY production is an adaptation for American musical theater of the original French production which features music by Pascal Obispo, lyrics by Lionel Florence and Patrice Guirao, and the original book by Elie Chouraqui. Composer Obispo is among the most successful singer/songwriters in French pop, who released numerous commercial blockbuster albums, scored multiple Top Ten hit singles with regularity, embarked on multiple sold-out concert tours, and also collaborated with a long list of French pop stars.
"I have carried this masterpiece in my heart since its first day of creation,“ said Mr. Serero. “This unique collaboration between two masters, Elie Chouraqui and Pascal Obispo, [along with the original French lyrics of Lionel Florence and Patrice Guirao] will forever remain in the history of French musicals.”
Maestro Serero’s vision — to make this work suitable for American audiences with its own established musical theater culture— aspires to ”the perfected combination of theatrical dialogues and music.” In reaching for this goal, Mr. Serero, who also expertly delivers in the strong and stirring role of Moses, has assembled a wonderful cast of talented singers and actors: DaShaun Williams (Ramses), Caroline Purdy (Nefertari), Stephanie Craven (Sephora), Melissa Lubars (Jochebed), Lisa Monde (Bithia), Cale Rausch (Joshua), Zachary Harris Martin (Aaron), Kristyn Vario (Myriam), Andy Donnelly and Julia Anne Cohen (Various roles and U/S). Of special note, the dramatic vocal interplay between Mr. Serero and Mr. Williams as they reaffirm the theme of brotherhood and peace between Moses and Pharoah, which, while absent from the original biblical tale, is a welcome reminder of something also missing from our current chaotic era.
Overall, the cast delivers passionate and compelling performances in a creative, unpretentious yet dynamic staging that lovingly intertwines opera, pop, and musical theater. “The Ten Commandments” offers audiences a new entry in the canon of truly American musical theater, one with an international flair.
A trailer is available here: https://youtu.be/_p4TfQs-txo
Tickets for the limited NYC run are available for May 8th (6 pm- premiere), 10th and 12th (8 pm), and 15th (6 pm) on thetencommandmentsthemusical.com or 1.800.838.3006
—Anthony Napoli