The Band's Visit - Atlantic Theatre Company (Off Broadway)

[yellibean2]

Posted: 11/4/16 at 4:45pm

Has anyone heard or seen anything from this? I loved the movie and had no idea a musical was written, and I'm thinking of seeing it in a few weeks when I'll be in New York. Also, has anyone had any experience with Atlantic Theatre Company's Back 25 program (where you don't know the location of the seat until you show up)? It looks like a tiny theater so I'm not too concerned, but just wondering what others' experiences with it has been.

Also I know that roles for Middle Eastern-Americans can be pitiful at best and impossible to find, so I'm glad this show is coming around to make it a tiny bit easier.

Updated On: 11/4/16 at 04:45 PM

[Relevance81491]

Posted: 11/4/16 at 5:04pm

Haven't heard anything but am eagerly anticipating early reports. I've got a feeling it's going to be a big one 

[macnyc]

Posted: 11/4/16 at 5:18pm

There are still some $25 seats left in November on two Sundays, in the evening, at least as far as I saw. Click on Back 25.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 11/5/16 at 1:14am

Thanks for the tip! Just got one! 

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 11/7/16 at 6:16pm

yellibean2 said: "Also, has anyone had any experience with Atlantic Theatre Company's Back 25 program (where you don't know the location of the seat until you show up)? It looks like a tiny theater so I'm not too concerned, but just wondering what others' experiences with it has been."

Really simple. I've done it for two shows now. I pretty much forget where I pick tickets for Hiptix and stuff like that so it just feels like will call to me. I don't remember if my name was on the tickets or they needed to be printed but it didn't seem like they were scrambling to find me a seat. It is a small theatre and as usual for me the only issue is if I get seated behind a tall person.

[macnyc]

Posted: 11/7/16 at 6:19pm

Yes, the Back25 seats are will call, and it is a small theater. You can see fine from anywhere. I've done the program a couple of times. Often I've been in the first row. That's my favorite. But I've been seated all over. I'm glad the Atlantic does this. And I'm looking forward to this one!

Updated On: 11/7/16 at 06:19 PM

[yellibean2]

Posted: 11/7/16 at 7:16pm

Thanks, macnyc and VintageSnarker. I went ahead and got a Back25 ticket for a Sunday night performance. I'm very excited to see this before the rest of the world does.

[LisaLB]

Posted: 11/7/16 at 7:22pm

NY Times story about it

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/11/06/theater/atlantic-theater-company-has-a-new-musical-from-david-yazbek.html

[supersam1026]

Posted: 11/12/16 at 1:34pm

Anyone get to go last night? Going tomorrow and am definitely looking forward to it!!

[Relevance81491]

Posted: 11/12/16 at 5:05pm

If anyone has an extra Back 25 they can't use please let me know. I thought I bought one for tomorrow night but apparently not. Now all back 25 is sold out

Updated On: 11/12/16 at 05:05 PM

[billyelliotfan123]

Posted: 11/12/16 at 11:02pm

I saw it tonight. I was very disappointed. None of the songs are memorable and the lead girl basically sings all of them. The set was cool and the turn table made for some beautiful stage pictures but the story didn't really seem to have much of a point. I found myself bored most of the time. I will give them the benefit of the doubt because before the show started the director announced it was the first time they were running the show all the way through (not sure how that's possible at the second performance)

[Theater3232]

Posted: 11/12/16 at 11:07pm

According to the theater's website, last night's (Friday night's) performance was the 1st preview and it was cancelled.

[Melissa25]

Posted: 11/13/16 at 11:42am

I have 2 Back25 seats for the matinee today and cannot make the show. PM me if interested.

[Relevance81491]

Posted: 11/13/16 at 12:31pm

Thank you to everyone who has sent me a  PM about back 25. But I'm really looking for something for tonight (long shot, I know) because I am already coming into the city from Long Island for a show this afternoon. I would be willing to put you in touch with the people who have offered me other dates so it can be an even switch 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 11/13/16 at 2:03pm

I have a back 25 for tonight, but I'd love to switch with someone. i still want to see the show. But got invited to another show tonight? 

[Relevance81491]

Posted: 11/13/16 at 2:05pm

If you can go on the 20th matinee, I know someone who has one 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 11/13/16 at 3:06pm

I could do that. 

[dave1606]

Posted: 11/13/16 at 11:01pm

I saw this tonight. I have to say I was really pleasantly surprised. I vaguely remember the movie as a charming if slight film with a few memorable quirky characters and a plot that doesn't go anywhere. This hasn't changed on stage. This is not a big dramatic show, its a small imitate story of some unlikely friendships and honestly the perfect cure for what has been such a horrible week.

Yazbeck has written a wonderfully tuneful score that definitely has echoes of Women on the Verge in a few songs. Katrina Lenk is a real standout here and has most of the score and sings it wonderfully. There was a one song that she sings (while chopping up a watermelon) that reminded me of Model Behavior.

David Cromer gave a speech before the show mentioning that it was still in previews and that there may be a few missed lighting cues etc and that the show was still "coming together." First of all the show is in fine shape and I didn't think a disclaimer was necessary.  The lighting does need work as a few scenes later in the show were not right, but nothing too bad, certainly not worthy of a speech before the show.

Overall the show is much like the film. Pleasant but slight. It shows a pleasant side of humanity and the characters are a fun group to spend 90 minutes together with. I think the score stands up really well, though some things could be cut. (I really hated the song John Cariani sang to his son). The transitions and endings of a few songs could be tighter as well. I don't see much of future life for this other than a cast recording (that I would buy), but it was a really nice end to a tough week.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 11/14/16 at 12:20am

Saw this tonight - dead center a couple rows back - and have to echo Dave's sentiments. It's a show about connections and wanting to connect. And I thought there were some really powerful, moving moments. Some brilliant stage pictures aided by the turntable within a turntable set and the subtle lighting. 

I wish the show had explored the characters more. I wanted to know more about the locals, the band members, etc. But maybe that's a compliment to the show that I found them so interesting. 

The score is great! It's so nice to hear a new musical and hear just a solid mix of songs. And songs that felt so much like their composer. There's a song about "Love is a Downbeat" and I thought in a different production that could have been a showstopper! It wanted to be, but wasn't quite there. It's a great tune and wish they had used that melody again. 

The only real issue I had was pacing. It felt like an indie movie on stage. Lots of long pauses. Quiet, small moments. And there is no real dramatic tension to keep the momentum going, so it just becomes about the characters. But the pace needs to be a tad snappier or else it all just kind of sits there. 

[After Eight]

Posted: 11/14/16 at 3:16pm

In the second scene of the show, the inhabitants of a nondescript town inform us repeatedly what a dull, drab place it is. Not exactly the kind of information to suggest a festive theatregoing experience awaits the paying customers. Well, it wholly lived down to the non-expectations it afforded, being as dull and as drab as the town in question. The score was of similar stripe.

 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 11/14/16 at 5:41pm

I wish the opening could be reworked. They need to open with the song, and not the scene. There is a way to incorporate that information into the song/scene without having that intro scene. It makes the whole beginning quite sloggy and boring. 

Also thought the lead woman was quite good! She just has a very enigmatic quality to her. Just wish the show had more...energy and life!

[PianoMann]

Posted: 11/17/16 at 11:35pm

I saw the show on Wednesday evening and really enjoyed it! I'll echo the below sentiments that this is an intimate and introspective musical without much in terms of plot. The true star of the show is David Yazbek's score, which I loved. The whimsy he's well known for from his previous musicals is on full display in songs like "Welcome to Nowhere," "Beat of Your Heart," and "Papi Hears the Ocean," but they're balanced with some beautiful and soaring ballads like "Omar Sharif," "Something Different," and "Answer Me." Does anyone associated with or tangentially connected to the production know if they're planning on recording the score with this cast?  I really hope they do!

They've assembled a great cast for this production, but Katrina Lenk is the standout of the bunch. She's delivering a funny, sad, sexy, and mysterious performance and she nails the humorous frustration ("It Is What It Is" and the emotional moments equally well. I also particularly enjoyed Tony Shalhoub and Daniel David Stewart. I like Scott Pask's set design a lot and thought it was very impressive and expansive for the size of the Linda Gross Theater.  Itamar Moses' book is mostly well-written and well-paced, although I think he glosses over some of the story arcs for some of the characters that I think could be fleshed out. I also very much appreciated David Cromer's direction and never thought the show felt disjointed even though it continuously moves from character to character. Cromer did speak to the audience before the show and cautioned that they had reworked at least 30 minutes of material that afternoon alone, so I think they've making a lot of changes to the show as they go through the preview process. Had he not mentioned it, though, nobody would have noticed because the performance went off without a hitch.

After this limited run at the Atlantic, does anybody know if they have their sights on Broadway in the 2017-2018 season? It seems like they've assembled too many sizable talents to let the show collect dust after they workshop it here. As I said about a cast recording, I hope they do plan to transfer the show next season. I was so taken by the score, the performances, and the overall production that I'd love to see it again and would love for a wider audience to see it, too.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 11/18/16 at 12:56am

I agree the talent they've assembled is top notch, but I can't imagine any producer putting money into a commercial run of this show. But maybe if the reviews are good it will garner some attention? I think the score was really sublime and hope it doesn't just collect dust somewhere because it's worth hearing. It has shades of Women on the Verge mixed with some great Full Monty. And yes Lenk nails the part. She's sexy and mysterious and yet you want to spend more time with her. I found it interesting that they gave most of the songs to the residents and the actual band doesn't get any songs/time. It's def. a weird little show, but I really enjoyed it and would recommend it. 

[JVJ93]

Posted: 11/19/16 at 4:54pm

Anyone have the run time on this? 

[PianoMann]

Posted: 11/19/16 at 5:24pm

I got out of the Wednesday night performance at 9:45 for an 8:00 curtain, so I'd say the 90 minutes the website lists is fairly accurate considering they started a bit late. They seem to be working on the material quite a bit during previews, so I'd imagine the run time might change.