THE BAND's VISIT Reviews- Page 6

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 1/21/18 at 9:21am

Crazy about this show.  Everything about it.  I was in tears by the end.  Very little happens.  And yet everything happens.  Equally emotionally gripping is what does not happen. 

There is not a single false move in this amazing cast.  Cromer's direction is exquisite.  Rarely if ever has a turntable served a show better.  

Shalhoub is heartbreaking and Lenk is extraordinary.  What happens and what does not when these two lovely, damaged people find each other moves me beyond measure.

And this morning there is one scene that I can't shake.  When Dina is fighting with the married man with whom she had the affair, and Tewfiq raises his voice and says, "You can forgive."  So powerful in the moment, but now, knowing Tewfiq's painful backstory, indelible.

Updated On: 1/21/18 at 09:21 AM

[binau]

Posted: 1/21/18 at 5:25pm

I don't doubt that CFA could have won the Tony for Best Musical over this show because handing out awards to that saccharine overly PC piece of sophomore garbage is exactly the kind of thing that would happen in today's political climate. I actually enjoyed CFA at the time but watching the absolute artistry of The Band's Visit is making me less warm towards that show as time goes on. The fact that they robbed War Paint of a "best score" nomination makes me so frustrated.

Anyway, back to this amazing piece of work. Somehow in 90 minutes with spare dialogue and simple songs/music they have managed to flesh out a couple of characters that absolutely feel like real, complex people. This is a feat rarely achieved in a musical in my opinion. I can't believe how effective the show is in such a short amount of time to weave several complex threads with the different characters, including a very SUBTLE look at cultural clashes that is so tastefully done it makes me want to cry (cf. CFA, which beats you over the head with that awful song "Prayer" among other parts). The score is absolutely beautiful - every moment felt like it was exploring the characters in a deeper way and the style absolutely feels like it belongs with the characters, time and setting. The instruments were just gorgeous. The set, staging, lighting were masterful. Tony S has more character development in his eyes and the way he says "no, no" than any character in CFA. As for pay off, I was getting tears in "Answer Me" when you realise that the lyrics are not just literally referring to this tiny subplot but bringing/commenting on all the subplots together thematically right before (or is it right after?) the devastating ending of seeing Dina and Tewfiq slowly moving away from each other, possibly to never see each other again.

This is the kind of show that would make me so, so proud to say I like musicals.


 

Updated On: 1/21/18 at 05:25 PM

[binau]

Posted: 1/21/18 at 5:26pm

..

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 1/21/18 at 5:32pm

I was there for my sixth time yesterday and it’s still exquisite. I just cannot get enough of this show. I especially echo what have been said in the last few posts, re: praise for Lenk and Shalhoub, being blown away by how much nuance they perfectly pack into 100 minutes, and examinations of the show’s multiple themes.

The moment that makes me burst is at the end when the band leaves Bet Hatikvah and Tewfiq is moved away from Dina via turntable—against either’s will/choice. Immediately following the emotional climax of “Answer Me,” that moment in particular shatters me every time.

I haven’t been this passionate about a show since Hamilton, but this one deserves every drop of praise it gets. Masterful and moving in every sense of the words.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 2/23/18 at 10:46pm

Heard from a friend that Tony Shalhoub is leaving indefinitely next week to film the next season of Maisel. Can anybody corroborate?

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 2/24/18 at 12:59am

Revisited this show last week and it really is THE most human musical that I have ever seen. The characters feel like real people with real problems. Yazbeck's score is so amazing, but Moses' book is also so smart and thought provoking for me. Katrina and Tony are remarkable and John Cariani is also a standout supporting performance. His lullaby broke my heart. Also, shoutout to the actress who plays his wife. She's great and just so real. I hope this show does well and I hope that they're able to find someone to step in for Tony.

[perfectlymarvelous]

Posted: 2/24/18 at 1:26am

I finally got to see this on Wednesday and I was so moved. The score is beautiful, and the whole thing is so human and naturalistic and GOODNESS, those gorgeous stage pictures. The use of the turntable is perfection. Also, now I'm very glad I got to see Tony Shalhoub, as he's wonderful. 

[upinlights]

Posted: 2/26/18 at 1:22am

Oh boy, looks like this is an unpopular opinion around here, but I REALLY did not like this. As someone with Israeli heritage, I really appreciated the accurate characterization, influenced score, and the fact that they had an Israeli dramaturg work on it. But, I still felt like it was just missing something that I can't put my finger on! It wasn't the length, and it wasn't bad acting (not even close, I particularly enjoyed Lenk's performance), I just felt like the book was so eh. Too many awkward pauses. I really expected to be mindblown, and I kept waiting for it to get better, but it didn't. I got a glimpse of that when the ensemble all sang together at the end and, being vague to avoid spoiling the moment, the very last moment before the curtain call. I feel like if you liked Once, you'd like this, and I hated Once, so there's that. I got $60 center rear mez tickets from TKTS (beware of upselling), so maybe I needed to be closer to fully experience the intimate vibe. In the end, I left scratching my head, wondering what all the raves are about. 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 2/26/18 at 4:37am

BroadwayConcierge said: "Heard from a friend that Tony Shalhoub is leaving indefinitely next week to film the next season of Maisel. Can anybody corroborate?"

While I have no info, it seems unlikely in light of nominations and voting for the Tonys.  Do they film in N.Y.?  He could feasibly do both if so...at least much of the time.  

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 2/26/18 at 6:32am

dramamama611 said: "BroadwayConcierge said: "Heard from a friend that Tony Shalhoub is leaving indefinitely next week to film the next season of Maisel. Can anybody corroborate?"

While Ihave no info, it seems unlikely in light of nominations and voting for the Tonys. Do they film in N.Y.? He could feasibly do both if so...at least much of the time."

Yes, they film in New York. The only time I’ve actually stumbled upon something being filmed in New York was when I saw them filming a crowd scene on the Brooklyn side of the Williamsburg Bridge last year. 

[broadwaysfguy]

Posted: 2/26/18 at 11:50am

i saw bands visit sat night
what a treat!
this is one of the most subtle and nuanced musicals ive ever experienced. the message of friendship and kindness toward peoples who were considered enemies is much needed. katrina was masterful and i could not take my eyes off of her for second-a tony worthy performance. tony was so low key and generous in his role with his cast members and melted into the ensemble seemlessly. big shout out to my pal etai benson for his first original broadway role.
he was really sick and called out sat mat(he never calls out) and rebounded for a group of family and friends attending the eve show and he was terrific.
loved the music and the band

please share the good news about this show to everyone you can. i get that this show is not for everyone and im hopeful it will continue to find strong audience support until the awards start coming in

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 2/26/18 at 3:16pm

I was among those who questioned whether or not I would like this show. I walked away loving it. I really liken it to watching a film. I was lucky enough to be the in front row and I say without hesitation that closer is better. This musical has a lot of nuance and silence. I found it so moving. It won't appeal to many. I can see how its style would be divisive. I found it very elegant, spare and emotionally rich. Lenk is sublime. I could watch her many times and find new layers. Her and Shalhoub are poetry (I hope he is not leaving-it would hurt the show at this crucial point.) 

It was great to meet the entire cast, as well as Yazbeck at Barnes and Noble last week. What a sweet group. I truly hope this takes Best Musical and Lenk gets a Tony. 

[TFMH18]

Posted: 2/26/18 at 5:49pm

I really hope that's not true about Shalhoub departing (though I have been wondering recently what the plan was for him as he is a very principal character in Mrs. Maisel). Even though the show has really—almost impressively, actually—opted not to use his name as a selling point, his departure would almost certainly negatively affect the show from a business standpoint.

[3GamesToLove]

Posted: 2/26/18 at 7:34pm

Man, I really love this show but I wish the cast recording had even a few bits of dialogue to tie the thing better together. It's probably one I'd eagerly buy the book of were it made available.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 2/26/18 at 7:39pm

3GamesToLove said: "Man, I really love this show but I wish the cast recording had even a few bits of dialogue to tie the thing better together. It's probably one I'd eagerly buy the book of were it made available."

Im with you. I feel like they could have recorded the whole show since it is only 90 minutes. I love the dialogue. Lenk is divine. 

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 2/26/18 at 7:55pm

Bettyboy72 said: "I was among those who questioned whether or not I would like this show. I walked away loving it. I really liken it to watching a film. I was lucky enough to be the in front row and I say without hesitation that closer is better. This musical has a lot of nuance and silence. I found it so moving. It won't appeal to many. I can see how its style would be divisive. I found it very elegant, spare and emotionally rich. Lenk is sublime. I could watch her many times and find new layers. Her and Shalhoub are poetry (I hope he is not leaving-it would hurt the show at this crucial point.)

It was great to meet the entire cast, as well as Yazbeck at Barnes and Noble last week. What a sweet group. I truly hope this takes Best Musical and Lenk gets a Tony."

 

I agree. I originally had a front mezzanine seat in November, but called and upgraded to a second row aisle seat center Orchestra for $20 based on advice on the message board. So glad I did. At the curtain call, I was giving my standing O with tears streaming down my face. I saw six shows on that trip, but mainly went to see DEH (which I liked a lot) before Ben left the show, but this show just blew me away in every single way. I think I’ve learned that I’m better off not knowing (or imagining) every plot point or having the cast recording (which was impossible for me as it hadn’t been released yet) memorized before I see a show the first time. Knowing too much seems to work against my enjoyment and diminishes my sense of discovery. 

[kdogg36]

Posted: 2/27/18 at 9:04am

ArtMan said: "I have been reading After Eight's posts for nine years on here. Some I agree with...some I don't. But like everyone else on here, he has the right to his opinions, without the need for name calling and attacks."

After Eight has previously stated or implied that liking certain shows is basically a sign of bad character, of complicity in some kind of cultural collapse. He's said this kind of thing again and again, and this is why many people really don't like him. It's hardly a matter of simple difference of opinion.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 2/27/18 at 9:49am

3GamesToLove said: "Man, I really love this show but I wish the cast recording had even a few bits of dialogue to tie the thing better together. It's probably one I'd eagerly buy the book of were it made available."

Couldn't agree more! The small bits of dialogue they cut from songs like "Waiting" would've been amazing, as glorious as I think the cast album is already. 

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 2/27/18 at 12:13pm

3GamesToLove said: "Man, I really love this show but I wish the cast recording had even a few bits of dialogue to tie the thing better together. It's probably one I'd eagerly buy the book of were it made available."

TCG is apparently going to be publishing the script. It's listed on Amazon as a pre-order with a release date in September.

[After Eight]

Posted: 2/27/18 at 1:37pm

Upinlights wrote: "maybe I needed to be closer to fully experience the intimate vibe."

It would have been the same tuneless bore wherever you sat. Be thankful you didn't waste even more of your money on a more expensive seat.

 

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 2/27/18 at 1:41pm

After Eight said: "Upinlights wrote: "maybe I needed to be closer to fully experience the intimate vibe."

It would have been the same tuneless bore wherever you sat.Be thankful you didn't waste evenmore of your money on amore expensive seat."

After Eight, just wondering what was the last Broadway musical that thrilled you? 

[After Eight]

Posted: 2/27/18 at 2:52pm

^

Miles2Go2,

La Cage Aux Folles

[RaisedOnMusicals]

Posted: 2/27/18 at 3:51pm

After Eight said: "^

Miles2Go2,

La Cage Aux Folles"

I assume you mean the original production, not the awful revival  

 

[After Eight]

Posted: 2/27/18 at 4:09pm

^

 

I don't know what "awful revival" you're talking about. Rest assured that both revivals were a zillion and thirty-five times more enjoyable than the likes of The Band's Visit, Fun Home, Hamilton, Book of Mormon, Sunday in the Park With George, Dear Evan Hansen, Come From Away, Groundhog Day, Once, etc.

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 2/27/18 at 4:40pm

After Eight said: "^



I don't know what"awful revival" you're talking about.Rest assured that both revivalswere a zillion and thirty-five times more enjoyable than the likes of The Band's Visit, Fun Home, Hamilton, Book of Mormon, Sunday in the Park With George, Dear Evan Hansen, Come FromAway, Groundhog Day, Once, etc."

My only stage exposure to La Cage Aux Folles is the most recent revival. I really really enjoyed it, but I’ve seen all but two (Sunday in the Park with George, Groundhog Day) of the other shows you mention, and liked all of them more than La Cage Aux Folles with one exception (Come From Away) . It’s really just a matter of preference and what resonates more with each theater patron. I’d also say I enjoy a show more when I come into a show as free as possible of expectations and prejudices. I can say something good about every show I’ve seen, even the ones that failed to meet my expectations. There’s always some element worthy of  praise while I also can acknowledge elements that didn’t work for me. And just because someone liked a show more than I did (or vice versa), doesn’t automatically make them wrong and me right. It just means that different shows and elements of shows resonated differently with us. Of course, I’m prone to snarky thoughts if someone were to say a show like Cats is his/her favorite show of all time, but that seems different from polarized black and white thinking that dismisses 95% of plsys/musicals on the basis that they’re “bad” while asserting only the shows I like are good.