Musical Based On South Jersey Murder Wraps Up Run, What Viewers Think

LOS ANGELES — "A Wicked Soul In Cherry Hill" — a musical based on the real-life story of Cherry Hill Rabbi Fred Neulander who authorities say hired hitmen to kill his wife Carol — wrapped up a roughly five-week run at a Los Angeles theater, the theater's website said.

The musical was written by Camden native Matt Schatz, Patch previously reported.

The "wholly original production asks what it does to our souls when our leaders fall from grace," said the Geffen Theater, which hosted the production of "A Wicked Soul in Cherry Hill."

Reviews of the musical that were published on websites from those who claimed to have viewed it appear to run the gamut of commentary.

A reviewer on los-angeles-theatre.com, Frank D, wrote the show was "entertaining and illuminating show ... respectful of the real-life tragedy and uses the power of theatrical
storytelling to skillfully explore important questions! The staging and the actors are great! Highly recommend."

However, most reviews Patch could find appeared to give the play a thumbs-down.

For example, a person calling themself West LA Art Patron that said "all of the songs sound alike, and none are good. The story also is terrible: about a real-life murder-for-hire plot that kills an innocent mother of 3 and successful businesswoman ... I read it is planned for a 'world tour.' Please spare the world: end the run asap" the person wrote on los-angeles-theatre.com.

Others on the same website — like Jonathan Datz and Rita Hand used, respectively, words like "shameful exploitation" and "pointless."

Still others seemed to be on the fence, like Los Angeles Times theater critic Charles McNulty, who wrote in that paper "treated as a purely fictional story, the musical is a delight. But a woman was
murdered, a family shattered and a community left reeling. Should I really be chuckling over the droll lyrics of kibitzing bystanders?"

Another review by broadwayworld.com's Evan Henerson stated "one would hope detractors would dig a little deeper and actually see the work before rushing to judgment. Schatz's play ... is using storytelling and the act of coming together to work toward healing.

A member of the Neulander family had said earlier this year that they were "saddened and dismayed" to learn a musical was being made about the murder.

Patch could not immediately confirm if the musical would be moving on to other playhouses.

Neulander, 80, is serving a life sentence in prison on charges related to the murder of his wife without the possibility of parole until 2030, Patch previously reported.

The two men authorities say he hired to kill his wife — Paul Michael Daniel and Len Jenoff — were released from prison in 2014, according to authorities.

This story contains reporting by Michelle Rotuno-Johnson and Brian Littel.

Got a news tip? Story idea? Send me an email with the details at janel.miller@patch.com.