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Masada Pleasantly Falls
There is no lack of good intentions here, of course. "Let no man be another man's slave," dramatically announces the second header on the package. But the dynamics of the musical actually enslaves in enthusiasm the pathos to the spirit of the melodrama. As a story where death is known about in advance, the musical story as written by Shell Danielson doesn't flinch from putting the drama of Masada in the style of a soap opera -- like Dallas in the desert. It's possible that this couldn't have been different. What can be expected from Zealot Jews atop a bald mountain? With Eleazar Ben-Yair as a "righteous strong man," Flavius Silva as the Roman commander, "a man with a personality complicated by his internal loneliness," Tamar as "an exotic, blue-eyed beauty," Hannah as the "loyal and compasionate wife" of Eleazar, Shem "who is madly in love with Ruth," Ruth " a dominant, romanic, gentle and wise woman," and with the characters of the Rabbi, Rufus, Joshua , Old Menachem, Zelda, Rachel and David " brave but still only a child," Masada pleasantly falls. Shuki Levy , the composer and the "living spirit" behind this event, has historical "rights" in the Israeli rock. At the end of the '60s he was part of the "chocolate" group that later became "the chocolate trio" together with Tzvika Pik and Gabi Shushan. He made his contribution to the local Rock establishment. Since he already has made a comfortable international career in America as a composer ,writer, performer and recording artist, he was a partner in 15 Gold Records, which sold more than 14 million copies around the world. As one of the founders of "Saban International," he is also a partner in the international success of the "Power Rangers." The current meeting of Levy with Broadway is typical of this period. Masada is being well integrated with the capitol of the American entertainment industry. Other creative people Levy's age, found their place there, too. Elton John and "Lion King," Paul Simon and "Capeman," are examples. He is taking a typical step here. Using the background of a historic story from the First Century, "Masada," he combines the mesage of the "flower children" from the end of the '60s to the power of the same children at the end of the '90s. But Masada suits the spirit of the time from another point of view, as well. The musical shows a moment in life of the Pax Romana in the same historic moment where Pax Americana exists. Athough the Israeli connection with Levy gave us the option to hear the CD of the musical before it was released overseas, and it will probably be performed on top of the real Masada this year as part of the 50th Anniversary Independence Day events, it is NOT the product of a little province. This is a very "American" CD, and it seems certain that this musical's future is guaranteed. Power Rangers aside, Masada will fall...and fall...and fall.....
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As expected, the feeling is closer to Andrew Lloyd-Webber than to Josephus Flavius, modestly presented as a "musical saga." That's Broadway! The word "grandiose" is ingrained in every corner. The musical is 2 CDs long and was written over four years. One hundred ten (110) musicians of the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra participated in the recording with the voice of Quincy Jones as the narrator, and starring other big stars from Broadway. The CD doesnt give way to doubt -- thats an empirical event.