Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeremiah Ginsberg.
Hi Jeremiah, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Today, I am the Executive Producer of a movie musical, MENDEL’S MESSIAH. Additionally, I composed the music and wrote the lyrics and orchestrated all the songs. How I started is a long story. Briefly, I was born in 1935 to Jewish parents in New Haven, CT. My Father was a musician, an original member of the Artie Shaw Band. I was a musician, too. I played the string bass. The conductor of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra offered to get me a scholarship at Yale School of Music. My Father wouldn’t let me accept it. He wanted me to be a dentist. I graduated from UCONN with a degree in English, then attended and graduated from New York Law School. All the while, I played and composed music. I passed the Bar and practiced law in New York and Connecticut. I was a Broadway attorney and counsel for Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI) Then my life took a dramatic turn.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I had a spiritual awakening where I saw Yeshua, Jesus, in vision, face to face. My Jewish people generally do not accept the fact that He is the Messiah, however, since I saw him and had many heavenly experiences in His presence, I know without a doubt that He is the Messiah of Israel. To share that truth, I wrote my first musical, “Rabboni,” and produced it in churches in Los Angeles where I won a Bronze Halo Award from The Southern California Motion Picture Council. Because of my new-found faith, I encountered many conflicts. There were traditional Jewish organizations who tried to stop me from producing my Gospel musical, but I pressed on and opened off-Broadway at The Perry Street Theater to rave reviews in 1985. In 1994 in Miami, there was an Orthodox Jewish group that picketed our production and tried to stop Jewish people from entering the Colony Theater. In 1997, another Jewish group tried to close down our second musical on the life of Moses, simply because they knew that I was a Messianic Jewish Believer. But my faith remained strong because I had seen the Truth of who Jesus is with my own eyes.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I have written five musicals and produced four of them with my wife of 43 years, Wendy. I have written hundreds of Biblical Scripture songs with a theatrical flair. Some of my songs have been recorded by major jazz artists such as Lana Cantrell, Kay Starr, Helen Merrill and others. I wear many hats: Composer, Lyricist, Author, Director, Playwright, Orchestrator, Producer.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
For those who are just starting out, have faith the size of a mustard seed and it may grow into a giant tree. In my case, I have come to know, love and work with a great team that have perched in that tree over the last 40 years.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jeremiahtheatricals.org/
- Instagram: @mendelsmessiah
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/mendelsmessiahmovie
- Twitter: @mendelsmessiah
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/JeremiahTheatricals
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-554215172/sets
- Other: https://dctheaterarts.org/2022/06/22/splendid-messiah-the-musical-has-a-hope-and-a-prayer-for-broadway/
