This full-scale stage production achieved its World Premiere at the Jerusalem Theatre 10 – 22 October 2019 and was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for all involved.

In May of 2019 the directors of DoGood were asked to provide research assistance with the creation and project management support that would see the vision of Joe Niemand (local musician, playwrite and composer) become a reality in Jerusalem – within a period of 5 months.

The primary assignment for DoGood was to provide all the original research on the characters that are listed in the Bible during the lifetime of Daniel and to establish the factual context of the time of the Jewish Exiles from Israel to Babylon. It was important to create a credible context for a Daniel “storybook” aimed at a Jewish audience, from which Joe could create a world class musical production in the Jerusalem theatre, during the period of Sukkot from 10 October to 22^nd October 2019.

Part 1 of the assignment deliverable: Desk Research

Character profiles for the historical characters, the costumes, architecture and cultural drivers of the times – not only in Jerusalem, but also in Babylon.

DoGood delivered the Primary Research results in 14 working days, giving the writers a significant start with which to create the storybook and musical concepts. Additional research was conducted to fine tune the nuances and differences in interpretations between the ancient and traditional Jewish Texts and the modern Biblical texts – in order to align the cultural context with behavioural delivery of the script and musical messages. (Example: the Jewish tradition of reading a scroll as opposed to the Hollywood ways of reading scrolls).

Part 2 of the assignment deliverable: Project Management

This was a longer-term commitment and DoGood provided a Project Manager to co-ordinate the various teams around the country. In addition, much of the administrative requirements to get a crew of 36 performers and technicians to Jerusalem had to be managed carefully within a budget and on time with all their equipment and sets.

DO Good were not involved with finding resources for the actual production – this was a lesson in faith and miraculous divine intervention to all people involved in the production.

The production started on-time in Jerusalem to great acclaim.

This is an excerpt from the official Director’s Note and press release, which explains the Musical in more detail…

Daniel The Musical, is a Broadway-style musical. The concept of the show is a creative bridge between the nations of Israel and South Africa.

The artistic approach mirrors the bridge building concept in that the story is the Hebrew story, while visually, the approach is African. The compositions have flavours of the Middle East, but on the other hand the arrangements have splashes of Africa.

At the heart of this musical is a group of passionate artists who have been inspired to reach out to the people of Israel in friendship. This is a team of people brought together from many different cultures and backgrounds in South Africa with the unified purpose of showing the people of Israel love, on behalf of our nation. We believe in the God of Israel and as artists we have been inspired to take God at His Word that those who bless Israel will be blessed. Our country has challenges that can only be solved by God and we believe that He has inspired us to do this musical at this specific time.

From its soaring African voices to the thundering of the drums, Daniel The Musical is a tour de force; a musical production of epic proportions that brought to life this gripping story of heroic faith, with the flair and passion of Africa.

It has been the adventure and privilege of a lifetime to take on a project of such depth and meaning that represents the aspiration of showing support to the people of Israel. The one thing our nation has is talent and this is what we have endeavored to do, to bring the best of our united selves, as a gift of friendship from South Africa, with love.