Things to do in New York: See 'The Band's Visit' on Broadway October 18 2017
A new musical opened up in previews on Oct. 7 on Broadway that is already the talk of the town. The Band's Visit stars Tony Shaloub (of TVs popular Monk and Wings), Katrina Lenk (of TV's The Good Fight and Blacklist), Johnny Cariani (Tony nominee for Fiddler on the Roof) and Ari'el Satchel (Netflix hit Jessica Jones) and many more familiar faces of film, TV and theater. The music and lyrics are by David Yazbek, the book is by Itmar Moses, it is directed by David Cromer and it is choreographed by Patrick McCullom.
The Band's Visit is a funny and touching show about an Egyptian Police Band, who after a mix-up at the border are sent to a remote village in the heart of the Israeli desert. Their bus will not arrive until morning and they are surprised that there is not only no hotel in the area, but the friendly townspeople take them in and everyone's lives change because of this charming, unexpected adventure.
Ben Brantley of the New York Times said of The Band's Visit that this, “My favorite musical of the season by far.”
The show has already won Best Musical for NY Drama Critics' Circle Award, Best Musical for Outer Critics Circle Award (Off-Broadway), Best Musical for the Lucille Lortel Award and the Best Musical Obie Award.
Not only is the story compelling, but also the music is exceptionally good. Bradley added, “The music takes on a transcendent harmonic shimmer
that stops the heart.”
This musical is based on a 2007 Israeli film directed by Eran Kolirin.
The Band's Visit is playing at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre 243 W 47th Street and tickets may be purchased through Telecharge or other places online. Ticket Prices range from $49-upwards of $175. The show runs for 90 minutes--there is no intermission,
nor late seating for this show.
Catch the next best thing on Broadway as soon as you can. Shows are already sold out, so plan ahead.
[Featured image The Band's Visit from Ahron R. Foster from official website.]
