Show: The Rock & The Rabbi Venue: The Plaza Theatre Style: Off-Broadway Musical Rating: *****

The Plaza Theatre, on Bumby Avenue in Orlando, opened with a bang, clang and salad spoons(?), with the Off-Broadway Musical, The Rock And The Rabbi! If this show is a precursor to the talent that is being drawn to Orlando, (which I believe it is), then I truly believe The Plaza Theatre will have no problems drawing the crowds necessary to feed both the theatre, and the people of Orlando. HolyPOW was informed by Russel Dayvault, the Box Office Manager of The Plaza Theatre, that the theatre is committed to bringing only family friendly shows into our midst. You can rest assured that when you take your family to The Plaza Theatre, you won’t have to cover your children’s eyes or ears, and can enjoy the shows, together. We at HolyPOW look forward to upcoming shows being brought to Orlando’s Plaza Theatre, and hope to be able to attend, and review, them all.

The Rock And The Rabbi! I went to the play not knowing what to expect, and came out a changed person. It was as though Simon/Peter, (Gary Richardson), was talking straight to me over a campfire, eating fish caught in one of his boats! Gary brought the Gospel to life in such a way that made The Rock a ‘real person’. Along with this ‘real person’ of The Rabbi, I felt the reverence surrounding his life, miracles, death, and resurrection, as though I were experiencing it all, first hand.

“We wanted to create a show that you could bring your friends and family to see, enjoy, and then go to the corner coffee shop and discuss any questions that came up afterwards, like: Is the Rabbi cursing a fig tree really in the Bible?”
                                                                                           ~Gary Richardson

The Musical Director, (Danny Hamilton), along with the rest of the musicians, gave incredible, and lively, performances! The entire crew did a great job creating unity and a sense of belonging at each ‘scene’, (as though we were all there), and the talent of the percussionists were riveting.

The voices of the Rock and of the Rabbi were breathtaking, to say the least. I wanted to fall to my knees in worship, more than once. (I have to admit, I snuck a hand up into the air, twice.) The Rock, (Neal Coomer), brought Holy Ghost goosebumps to my skin, leaving me chilled from head to toe. Neal sang with so much passion that you couldn’t help but be moved. The Rabbi, (Javen), sang with such anointing; he made it difficult to see through the tears, leaving me to be a puddle in my chair.

“I got my inspiration for the CD from when I was a kid, having gone to see Disney Movies, and purchasing the album afterwards, so I could relive the movie, over and over again. That’s why the CD includes, not only the soundtrack, but also the dialogue.”                                                                             ~Gary Richardson

Our family is blessed listening to this CD. It’s brought The Rock And The Rabbi into our home to enjoy again and again.

This is a show that I hope everyone makes a priority to see. I look forward to going back, taking friends to be blessed by these fishermen.

***** - (Can you go any higher than 5 *’s, because this show deserves it!)

Denise Hill