Sarah Friedman is 40 years old and decides to hold her first Passover Seder dinner for eight of her closest friends — not a one of whom is Jewish. Certainly there have been less likely concepts for a musical, and composer/lyricist/author Randi Michaels Block aims to give us hilarity, some irreverence and also poignance in her exploration of love, friendship, faith and freedom. Originally a New Yorker, the creator has lived in Nashville for nearly 20 years, determinedly working on various theatrical musical projects. Her contemporary score covers the spectrum of show tunes, pop, rock and R&B, with this two-nights-only staged reading of her work-in-progress in the experienced hands of director Ted Swindley. In addition, there’s a strong-looking cast to aid in the show’s development, including Beth Anne Musiker, Daniel Sadler, Kat Bowser, Charlynn Carter, L.T. Kirk and Rusti Rae. The musical direction is by Rollie Mains. Admission is free. (There’s also an adult-language alert in force.)
— Martin Brady