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 Watch a Preview of THE COVENANT Musical/Drama
The Covenant Musical
 Written and Directed by: Robert and Elizabeth Muren
Executive Director: Chuck King
Translated by: Ehud Manor
Narrated by: Moti Barkan
THE COVENANT is an original dramatic presentation recounting the miraculous story of the People of Israel, spanning from the calling of Abraham until the establishment of the modern State.
At this critical moment in Israel ’s history, it is especially fitting that the International Christian Embassy is able to present this reminder of Israel ’s secure destiny, according to the promises found in the Bible.
The exceptional cast and crew is comprised of individuals representing more than twelve nations. Their presence in this production is also a statement of personal solidarity with the people of Israel in their quest for lasting peace in the Land of Promise .
Schedule and news of the European Tour of The Covenant - Summer 2006 
Endorsements received by 'THE COVENANT'
“outstanding and encouraging…”
“This gave me hope to continue…” Faculty member of a well-known Yeshiva
“Superb…a very beautiful pageant, brilliantly executed” The Jerusalem English Speaking Theatre
"This must be seen in the secular world of Tel Aviv!" A noted Hebrew University professor
"This was so professional, every Israeli should see it." An Israeli High School principal
At this critical moment in Israel ’s history, it is especially fitting that the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem is able to present this reminder of Israel ’s secure destiny, according to the promises found in the Bible. It is presented as a “tribute” to the perseverance of the Jewish people through the current troubles n the Land.
NEWS
'Fourth Tour of 'The Covenant'
“The Covenant” Brings Israel’s History to Israelis"
By Chris Mitchell
CBNews
April 29, 2005
CBNews.org – For the past 3 years, tens of thousands of Israelis have filled theaters to see an original musical called "The Covenant." It is a production inspired by the Bible that tells the story of the Jewish people from their beginning to the present day. read more...
Third tour of the Hebrew musical, The Covenant, gearing up
November 2004
JERUSALEM - The third Israeli tour of Ha Brit (The Covenant) is quickly approaching, as cities and dates are speedily making their way onto our calendar.
Though subject to change, the musical is tentatively booked in four cities and special arrangements are underway for a performance in Latrun for 6,000 Israeli Defense Force Soldiers.
This year’s tour is marked by our growing partnership with Israelis in making the project a success. The tour dates so far have all been secured with the help of Aviva Ben-Rafael, National Director for the Israel Youth Award, a special educational program in Israel.
Ben-Rafael said her personal response to Ha Brit is her inspiration for aiding the ICEJ. Her assistance, which has already opened doors to perform in some of the largest and most prestigious theatres in Israel, is much appreciated.
In Haifa, Ben-Rafael secured official endorsement of the musical from the Ministry of Education and, as a consequence, the city’s entire school system will be attending Ha Brit.
Other changes this year include a set redesign to allow greater visual impact during performance, while making the set more portable for transportation.
We are presently taking applications for volunteers interested in working with next year’s tour. Rehearsals begin the first week of March, therefore a six-week commitment is required for those interested. Many hands are needed in order to make this tour a success, both on stage and off. We are looking for volunteers to complete the cast and assist in various details of production (stage, costuming, make-up, technical support). For those interested in applying, forms are available through the ICEJ Music Department office and on our website, www.icej.org.
We look forward to great reports as God continues to touch His people through the ministry of Ha Brit.
THE COVENANT STRETCHES ITS WINGS - THROUGHOUT ISRAEL AND IN HEBREW
by Nicole Schiavi
Feb. 21, 2003
Robert and Elizabeth Muren paused between a whirlwind schedule of recording sessions, rehearsals and an eternal list of things to do, to talk about the upcoming tour of their original musical The Covenant, produced by the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem and now being performed in Hebrew.
“It’s the ultimate expression of our dream,” Robert said. “That was the goal – to make it happen in Hebrew. It is an adventure to see it realized so quickly.”
Expecting their first child in May, the young couple exuded a parental amazement that the musical they authored has reached this stage so quickly. The Covenant has floored Israeli audiences in English, but now the Hebrew version is expected to reach deeper into Jewish hearts and minds.
“The dream is for everyone in Israel to see it,” said Elizabeth. “It is for the Israelis to remind them of the promises of God, and for Christians to be educated.”
The Covenant is a colourful biblical drama that recounts the miraculous story of the People of Israel – from the calling of Abraham to the founding of the modern state.
With its uncompromising portrayal of scripture, prophetic fulfilment and the history of Israel, The Covenant - “Ha Brit” in Hebrew - will appear amid the modern, and avant-garde Israeli theatre world. During its debut tour in Hebrew, four showings will take place across Israel in March, including Tel Aviv’s famed Eretz Israel Museum, halls in Kfar Sava and Nazareth Illit, and an exclusive performance before IDF troops.
Under ICEJ sponsorship, the musical already has been performed in English three times in Israel, twice during our Feast of Tabernacles celebration. At the Feast last September, the narration was done in Hebrew for a packed Israeli audience in Jerusalem’s Convention Center. Now the entire musical abandons any trace of English and reaches out beyond the familiar settings of the Feast and Jerusalem.
“The message of The Covenant will speak even more directly to non-Jerusalemites who can be encouraged by its message,” said ICEJ Music Director Chuck King, who also is involved in directing the musical. “We will visit communities off the beaten path and army bases for the soldiers.”
Converting the entire musical into Hebrew and retraining the cast began late last year. After seeing the musical at the 2002 Feast, an anonymous donor paid to have the script translated into Hebrew so it could be performed on any Israeli stage.
That sent the Murens and King on a search for a top-notch translator. They ended up in the office of Israel’s leading lyricist and translator, Ehud Manor.
A prolific and award-winning songwriter, and a translator with a resume including Caberet, Les Miserables, Hair and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, Manor can choose which musicals he will work on. King says that Manor’s decision to take on The Covenant is an honour to those involved.
“It gives the whole presentation a mark of notoriety and prestige in the Israeli community because of who Ehud Manor is,” King said.
Before he agreed to translate it, Manor listened to the music and read the script several times, not just for its musical content.
“My initial reaction was I was moved by a piece that was only 60 to 70 minutes long that covered the whole history of the Jewish people,” he said.
But he had misgivings.
“I wondered, maybe this is the kind of church who wants to convert Jews to Christians, but when I listened to it again, I saw it was simply the history of the Jewish people with a realistic portrayal of Jesus,” Manor said. “It is so pro-Israel and so pro-Jewish faith and still doesn’t ignore the existence of Jesus.”
Manor said that musically and emotionally, The Covenant ranks among the top plays that have passed through his hands.
“There is an aspect of innocence not known in many pieces I’ve done,” he said.
Translating The Covenant was interesting because it was originally conceived in Hebrew, but written in English, Manor said. He referred to original Biblical text for direct scriptural quotes, but in the dialogue, he “tried not to sound too biblical” so the audience could identify with the characters.
With the Hebrew translation in hand, King and the Murens recruited a volunteer cast and crew and started rehearsals as the first performance loomed just three months away. Noted Israeli actor Moti Barkan recorded the narrated portions in Hebrew, but nearly the entire cast is from abroad, presenting some difficulties with the Hebrew words and accents.
“It’s a bit of a risk that everyone is either a student of Hebrew or it is their second, third or fourth language,” King said. “We may be opening ourselves up to criticism in that regard. But even the effort in that will speak to people. And the music will communicate.”
The Hebrew translation comes at a time when many Israelis are losing their sense of Jewish identity, King suggested. “Zionism had lost some of its popularity,” he said. “But to maintain their land, they have to recognise and honour the covenant that God made with them.”
Manor concurred about the timely release of “Ha Brit”.
“We’re living under a threat. People have started to doubt or fear staying here,” he said. “It is a time when people don’t feel as safe as they used to. A play like The Covenant strengthens our ties to the land and our right to be here.”
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Covenant Productions Ltd.
9/10 Ha-Namer Street
Jerusalem 96954
ISRAEL
Phone, +972 (0) 2 678 6819
E-mail: mail@TheCovenant.com
or contact Rita Adams rita.adams@casaisrael.com |
