THE BAND's VISIT Reviews- Page 10

[Jasmin22]

Posted: 6/11/18 at 5:39pm

Do you mind posting the translation? I don’t know why I’m having a hard time finding it

[dmwnc1959]

Posted: 6/11/18 at 8:10pm

Jasmin22 said: "Do you mind posting the translation? I don’t know why I’m having a hard time finding it"

 

Found this is an NPR Article...

 

Yazbek's poem Itgara'a, translated here from Arabic and sung a cappella by Tony Shalhoub, sums up the show's philosophy:

When you drink, drink deeply.

Drink deeply of the moonlight

drink deeply of the dark

of the loneliness

of the joy.

You will never drain the moonlight

you can never end the dark.

In your eyes, the flash of joy

in your mouth, the sweet shock of honey.

You are the joy

you are the loneliness.

Drink deep.

 

 

[macnyc]

Posted: 6/17/18 at 11:09am

I've been seeing lots of ads online for Band's Visit, and they feature Shalhoub.  I think it's wrong of producers to do this, given that he has apparently left the production. It's bait and switch. How much time does it take to photograph the new guy in costume?

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/17/18 at 11:12am

It's not time, it's money. Happens often, they likely aren't new ads.

[Someone in a Tree2]

Posted: 6/17/18 at 4:34pm

It always mystified me why the show would refuse to translate Itgara'a into English onstage during the body of the show. The English words are beautiful, and frankly I really needed more meat on the bones of Tewfik's arc to care as much about his story as everyone else seems to. Giving me the meaning of his Arabic words would have gone some way in that direction. Perverse to withhold it from the audience.

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 6/17/18 at 5:48pm

I think there's something profound about us not having the translation for Itgara'a. He's not a character that says what he feels and when he does finally open up and sing, we can't understand it. I feel that it's important.

[wonkit]

Posted: 6/17/18 at 6:47pm

Thank you for the translation. Love the words. But I have to agree with GeorgeandDot that at that point in the story it is not necessary to know what the song is but only that it is intense and personal and the Katrina Lenk character understands that. Is she supposed to understand the words, or just understand the power of the song itself?  If she is not sure of the words, she is moved just as the audience might be without knowing the translation.

[South Florida]

Posted: 6/17/18 at 7:13pm

If you're going to the show because you want to see Tony Shalhoub you probably won't like it anyway.

 

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/17/18 at 8:41pm

If Itgara’a were sung in English, it would rob us of the beauty of “Something Different,” which is such a special  moment. 

[DINA]
Is this a hymn?
Is this a love song?
Something ancient by a poet
Maybe Hafiz, maybe Rumi?

Is he singing about two hearts searching in the darkness?
Or is he singing about fishing?

The tune seems sad, but are the words sad?
What's he saying?
Is he praying?
And why do the words get to me?

Is he lonely? Maybe reaching out for someone?
Look at me. Maybe I'm the one who's fishing

 

The whole point seems to be that she DOESN’T know what he’s singing about, but they are so connected in that moment.

Updated On: 6/17/18 at 08:41 PM

[LLW2]

Posted: 8/9/18 at 7:53pm

The Washington Post returned for a new review. I was happy to see it single out Kristen Sieh's performance.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2018/08/09/dont-be-fooled-by-a-gentle-pace-the-bands-visit-is-now-the-highest-performance-vehicle-its-ever-been/?utm_term=.ad7259870be4

 

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 8/9/18 at 8:22pm

Wow, I loved this when I saw it in November. This review makes me want to see it again.

[dmwnc1959]

Posted: 8/9/18 at 8:32pm

LLW2 said: "The Washington Post returned for a new review. I was happy to see it single out Kristen Sieh's performance.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2018/08/09/dont-be-fooled-by-a-gentle-pace-the-bands-visit-is-now-the-highest-performance-vehicle-its-ever-been/?utm_term=.ad7259870be4 

 

Back in Post 223 I also singled out her amazing performance in the show:

“Speaking of Itzik, I think one of the most heartfelt, gut wrenching scenes came from his wife Iris after they had both been fighting and arguing, and her been just being “done” and disgusted with their relationship the whole show. After Simon (Tewfiq’s second in command, who had been staying at their house) lulled the crying baby back to sleep, Itzik and Iris have one last knock down drag out fight, then she just breaks down in the most amazing crying I’d ever witnessed. You could truly feel her absolute pain. And the way Itzik held on to her as she battled his embrace, and they collapsed to the floor together, her just sobbing. It was heartbreaking.”

Updated On: 8/9/18 at 08:32 PM

[Danielle49]

Posted: 8/10/18 at 5:18am

Not sure if it’s been announced as to which cast members will extend their contracts past their first year, but it looks like Ari’el Stachel will be leaving in October. A feature in the September issue of Vanity Fair lists him as playing Haled “through October 2018.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bl_Ytt7DBR-/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=4yh017wf5hpw

I think it’s safe to assume that other cast members will be leaving as well, so catch this group while you can!

Updated On: 8/10/18 at 05:18 AM

[TFMH18]

Posted: 8/10/18 at 10:35am

If I had to guess, I'd bet Lenk extends, maybe not a full year but an additional six months or something, similar to Rachel Bay Jones in DEH. The show will be just fine without Stachel or any of the other principals should they leave in October. But with Lenk gone, I really wonder if it could pack the same punch. I imagine producers are smart enough to lure her to stay. Of course, this could also be my wishful thinking. 

[Owen22]

Posted: 8/12/18 at 2:05am

TFMH18 said: "If I had to guess, I'd bet Lenk extends, maybe not a full year but an additional six months or something, similar to Rachel Bay Jones in DEH. The show will be just fine without Stachel or any of the other principals should they leave in October. But with Lenk gone, I really wonder if it could pack the same punch. I imagineproducers are smart enough to lure her to stay.Of course, this could also be my wishful thinking."

Did you see how the camera ate her up on the Tony Awards???  I would guarantee she is getting tons of TV and film offers.  Her career sorta demands she leave in October...

[sabrelady]

Posted: 9/24/19 at 3:10am

Is there any translation of the Hebrew for Dina & Sammys fight? I am fluent enough to catch most of the Hebrew like the Army girls and the security guard but the fight was so fast I could barely  catch only beseder and lo beseder.

[Um Kulthum]

Posted: 9/24/19 at 7:34pm

From my copy of the book:

Sammy: There you are.

Dina: Oh god.

Sammy: The hell were you doing back there? What, did you fall on your head?

Tewfiq: Hey–

Sammy: Stay out of it, it’s not your business.

Dina: I was eating dinner.

Sammy: Now my wife is asking millions of questions because of your nonsense!

Dina: He says his wife is ask lots of questions now thanks to me.

Sammy: Why do you…? Stop translating for him! It’s not your business.

Tewfiq: I know.

Dina: You make it his business because you follow us!

Tewfiq: Hey–

Dina: Why did you bring her there? Did you think how I would feel? It’s embarrassing. It’s my place. I live here. I can’t–

Sammy: Tell me, are you normal? I told you, she wanted to eat there! What do I care how you feel? You’re the embarrassing one here! Do you understand that? And what about me? I don’t live here?

Tewfiq: It’s okay! He make mistake! He just make mistake! But please. You can forgive. You can forgive!

Sammy: Don’t do something like this again.

Dina: Ha. You don’t.