RUMI: THE MUSICAL is the new musical from the writing team of Dana Al Fardan (one of the Middle East’s leading contemporary composers) and Nadim Naaman, and follows their 2018 West End debut Broken Wings, which premiered at the Theatre Royal Haymarket before touring the Middle East. A story about Rumi by Evren Sharma serves as the source material.

RUMI: THE MUSICAL stars Ramin Karimloo as “Shams Tabrizi” and Nadim Naaman as “Rumi”. The recording also features Casey Al-Shaqsy (Prince of Egypt) as “Kimya”, Soophia Foroughi (Prince of Egypt) as “Kara”, Sharif Afifi (Hadestown) as “Sultan Valed”, Ahmed Hamad (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat) as “Aladdin”, Irvine Iqbal (Aladdin) as “Husam” and Alim Jayda (Aladdin) as “Sayyed”. Completing the company are Roshani Abbey, Amira Al Shanti, Eva-Theresa Chokarian, Maëva Feitelson, Sasha Ghoshal, James Hameed, Blythe Jandoo and Aliza Vakil. The recording also features The Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra.

RUMI is orchestrated and arranged by Joe Davison (Broken Wings), with vocal arrangements by Nikki Davison (Broken Wings) and Middle Eastern musical supervision by Maias Alyamani (founder and leader of Arabic world music group MAqam Ensemble). RUMI: THE MUSICAL is produced, edited and mixed by Joe and Nikki Davison for Auburn Jam Music.

The legacy of Rumi has touched millions around the world and continues to make an impact in its universality and utilitarian nature; a legacy which has lasted eight centuries and has inspired all nationalities, ages, faiths and backgrounds. RUMI: THE MUSICAL tells the story of the transformative and powerful relationship between Rumi and his mentor Shams Tabrizi. From their first encounter, it is clear that Rumi and Shams were destined to converge for greatness; two highly contrasting but brilliant minds, both seeking a higher purpose. However, the impact of this extraordinary friendship on Rumi’s loyal wife, Kara, her daughter Kimya and his sons, Sultan Valed and Aladdin is clear, inviting resistance from Rumi’s faithful following with increasingly intense and dramatic consequences. What was the price, that the world might receive the gift of Rumi’s genius and spiritual legacy?

A Center Stage Records Release