‘The 16th Sheep’ a hit at first of sold-out reunion shows

There was a full house at the first performance of “The 16th Sheep” on Tuesday night in Tel Aviv’s Bronfman Auditorium — a reunion show reprising the beloved songs of the late writer Yehonatan Geffen with the band composed of renowned musicians Yehudit Ravitz, Gidi Gov, Yoni Rechter and David Broza.

The audience clapped, sang and cheered along to each and every song.

Ravitz, Gov, Rechter and Broza were onstage throughout, with Rechter at the piano, Ravitz and Broza center stage with their acoustic guitars, while Gov, the oldest of the crew at 74, moved more slowly and gingerly, singing backup most of the time.

Ravitz, Gov, Rechter and Broza recorded “The 16th Sheep” in 1978, putting to music the book of children’s poems written by Geffen. The album became a popular classic for kids as well as their parents.

“It’s so good to be together in these days; it’s hard and emotional,” said Ravitz.

“I’m so happy that Romi, Doron, Emily came home,” said Ravitz, referring to the three former hostages, Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher and Emily Damari, who were released from Hamas captivity in Gaza on Sunday. “Our hearts are with them. And we feel the same things: All the hostages should all return home quickly.”

Before launching into “One Kind Word,” Ravitz said that she’s been singing that song a lot in the last year.

It is often difficult
But then one kind word
Immediately brightens my day
Just one kind word
Or two no more than that.

Some 12,000 tickets for the initial reunion shows this month and next sold out within minutes of going on sale in November. When an additional 12,000 tickets were put on sale for more shows in February and March, those sold out within minutes as well.

Five more shows were then added to the wildly popular reunion concert tour and those sold out as well.