The Bands Visit Review (spoilers)

[Unknown User]

Posted: 10/12/17 at 12:59pm

I'm not sure it's a bonafide Broadway smash, but THE BANDS VISIT, the new musical by Itmar Moses(book) and David Yazbek(score) is another game changing metamorphoses for the structure of the great American Musical  Comedy.

 

The musical is routed in some traditions though,  and is basically a fish out of water story about an Egyptian band accidentally traveling to the wrong small town in Israel for a gig. Like classics such as ON THE TOWN, the show is just one night of  antics as the bandmates are followed throughout the night...of course the charms and complications of the small town and its folk are exposed along the way.  Nothing new about this idea, but it's the way in which it's told that feels very fresh and modern.

 

The Egyptian bands unique sound is carried out through the show sometimes without lyric underneath using the intention of the character and why he is playing to push the action and narrative forward. It gives the show touches of modernity that the genre truly needs. Yazbek, a true musical prodigy, once again finds a soind that is distinctly for his characters' voices. It ranges from unrequited love songs, to Israeli disco, to pop sounds from the region, to a gorgeous lullaby. These are sounds and melodies you won't recognize on the Broadway stage. His lyrics are conversational and subtle, not rhyme schemes. In fact, this show is musical theater at its truest form...characters aren't singing, they are merely speaking on pitch. It's refreshing in the most effective ways. Is it always theatrically thrilling the way Jule Styne score is, no, but its intention has a razor focus.

The cast is all excellent here, creating and finding real people, not musical stereotype. They exploit just the right quirks for their characters brining out charm and humor in this exotic and human place. Katrina Lenk as Dina, a seductive small restaurant owner who who is quietly desperate to find love, and John Cariani as Itsik, a husband and father with manic depression are Tony nomination worthy.

 

 The scenic design by Scott Pask is his most successful in years. At first glance, a simple scape of beige stone apartments and buildings morphs and changes  into living rooms, discotheques, alleyways, cafes, restaurants...there intimate settings in the seamless transitions that happen sometimes just with the rotation of a wall  or the opening of a door. Projections on the stone buildings are wonderfully effective at chancing the scene. Tyler Micleau lights the space in ways that make it mysterious, sometimes dangerous, other times like the charming small town anyone would want to visit.

 

David Cromer, a theater luminary in my opinion, blends the book, music, design, and performances so effectively you don't know know where his strokes began or ended. He creates a mood not seen before on Broadway. 

Itmar goes for subtlety and chooses very few words. For characters. They are more still then the average musical cast. But the action is just as exciting. He brings a sense of melancholy to these people. Yet we know they all have pride in who they are and where they come from. 

See it! It may be too subtle for some and not dramatic enough for others, but this show is a game changer in musical theater form that dee serves lots of respect.

 

[TNick926]

Posted: 10/12/17 at 1:06pm

Your review itself is beautifully expressed and eloquently written!  Makes me want to see the show even more, which I was already planning to do.  I love Yazbek's work in previous shows, and also his hilarious and profane facebook posts!  Thanks for this review... :)

[JBC3]

Posted: 10/12/17 at 1:31pm

Why not put this in the main thread with a spoiler toggler instead of starting a new one?