Disaster struck the Daniel The Musical show in Jerusalem this week when its lead performer Andile Gumbi, 36, fell ill suddenly and ended up in a critical condition in hospital.
The seemingly-unstoppable show which opened to critical acclaim last week came to a halt as a decision was taken to suspend all performances until further notice and focus on Gumbi’s care, getting his wife to Israel and mobilising prayer support.
But yesterday, with Gumbi still in a critical condition in the intensive care unit of Shaare Zedek Medical Centre after suffering cardiac arrest, the South African cast and production team decided to restart the musical to see through their vision of “blessing Israel in friendship” and to “honour our beloved Andile”.
Joe Niemand, who wrote the music, plays the role of the older Daniel, and directs the show, will step in for Gumbi and play the role of King Nebu as the unique circumstances of the production never allowed time for casting an understudy for the lead performer.
Five resumed performances of Daniel The Musical have been scheduled for tomorrow (Saturday) until Tuesday.
The sudden illness of Gumbi, who previously played the role of Simba the Lion in both the Broadway and West End productions of The Lion King is viewed by the show’s team as a spiritual attack that must be faced with fervent prayer and faith.
Ever since God inspired Niemand to write the musical and to launch it in Israel in October as a love gift to the Jewish people, the project became a “mission impossible” but for the hand of God behind the faith steps of the production team.
First, the only theatre in Jerusalem capable of hosting a full-scale stage musical was not available until 2021 — until a slot miraculously opened at the time that God had specified, in the Jewish high holidays season. The team were informed of the breakthrough a week after the 30-member cast began rehearsals.
Later, two of the cast members — including a lead performer who lost his passport — missed their flights to Israel a week before the premiere and only joined the group later.
Then, with the clock ticking relentlessly, as the team scrambled to rehearse and prepare the stage, the Israeli Customs Administration impounded their massive production set that had been flown in from South Africa. When I checked with Julita Kok, a member of the production team on the evening before the premiere, she said they were still awaiting delivery of half their set.
Meanwhile, Jewish religious voices undermined the project by warning people that the musical was a Christian attempt to missionise Jewish people camouflaged as a cultural event.
But God made away for the premiere to open on time and according to a report published on Monday by Jerusalem-based news agency Israel Today: “With its African voices, thundering African drums and pulsating rhythm, Daniel The Musical proved to be a major success as it played out. An inspired musical production depicted the gripping story of the heroic faith of the figure of Biblical Daniel.
“The production accurately presented the life of Daniel, as it is recorded in the Bible, while giving it an African twist. One could not avoid having flashbacks of scenes from the Lion King as one watched the Babylonian court magicians play out their roles.
“With its all-African cast of 30 singers, dancers and actors, it brought to life the amazing story of Daniel as an African adventure. With the flair and passion of Africa this full-scale stage production proved to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Israel Today also commented on the allegations that the production had a Christian missionary agenda. “These claims could not be further from the truth. The production depicted the story of Daniel in its traditional Biblical setting. Niemand, who is a committed Christian, stated emphatically that the show is a musical production to show solidarity with, and love towards, Israel and the Jewish people.”
Kok told Gateway News this week that the show was being very well-received in Jerusalem.
“At one of our shows there were 90 nations represented and that was exactly what God told us to do — to go and bless Israel and the nations and that was quite spectacular.”
She said that in honour of the Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) holiday they decided to have an early show on Monday and offer tickets for free. Many people attended and, as usual, she said a few words after the performance.
“And one of the things I said was that God told us to bring this musical to Israel and to bless the Israeli people,” said Kok.
Afterwards, a Jewish woman who had watched the show came to her and asked if they had really put on the production just for Israel, or whether the Jerusalem performance was not part of a world tour.
Kok confirmed that God had indeed told them that the show was specifically to bless the people of Israel. She said the woman was “blown away” and said she would “tell everybody”.
She said representatives of the SA Embassy in Israel had attended a performance “and were very proud of what South Africa had to offer”.
Earlier this week Kok told Gateway News that in one of the spiritual highpoints of their time in Israel, nearly half of the show’s cast were baptised in the Jordan River.
“And of course, we, being singers, ended up singing and it touched the people around us who were at the site [of the baptisms]. There was even a soldier on the Jordan side and he stood there with his gun and he just watched and watched and I am sure that God worked in his heart as well. That was truly a very beautiful experience.”
Gateway News joins many, many people in SA, Israel and around the world in praying for Andile Gumbi’s full recovery and for Daniel the Musical to continue to fulfil its divine purpose to bless Israel and the nations.
In a message to supporters today the production team appeal for help in meeting the costs of their Israel mission which is a non-profit project.
Donations can be made to:
South Africa: First National Bank, Acc no. 62817936993, Branch: 250117, Swift: FIRNZAJJ
Foreign payments: email mark@danielthemusical.net or call +27 60 875 9045 or WhatsApp Theo Christodoulou at +27 82 375 5703.
Our Lord God of all the Nations; wants to bless His Creation. He will use simple willing people; Praise God