Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – THE BAND’S VISIT quietly opens on Broadway, triumphantly

• By drediman
• November 9, 2017
• No Comments

Katrina Lenk and Tony Shalhoub in “The Band’s Visit” at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre.

Tonight, a significant new musical triumphantly opened at Broadway’s Ethel Barrymore Theatre – David Yazbek and Itamar Moses’ gorgeous, unconventional The Band’s Visit. I had seen this spare, deeply-felt musical about an Egyptian band and their seemingly unassuming trip to Israel when it premiered Off-Broadway last season at the Atlantic Theatre Company. Then, I thought it was easily the finest new musical of the season (take that, Dear Evan Hansen). I suspect I’ll feel the same way about this extraordinary show at the conclusion of this Broadway season.

Although not very much happens in the show in terms of plot, Mr. Moses’ economical book (based on an indie movie of the same name) and especially David Yazbek’s seductive score delve deep into and celebrate the human condition. I’ve always thought that Mr. Yazbek’ lively, off-beat scores were perhaps not the best fit for his past mainstream projects (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Full Monty, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown). Here, his inherent quirkiness merges oh so seamlessly with the material, to mesmerizing effect. Both score and book cast an objective gaze on the characters and their interactions, ranging from the mundane to the profound. The power of human connection and the role of art (particularly music) in our lives is beautifully captured in the show’s delicate undercurrents.

Director David Cromer, a director I have long admired since his early days helming storefront productions in Chicago, has outdone himself here. The sensitivity with which he treats each character and their respective plights, as well as the patience of his storytelling, is nothing short of miraculous. Along with his unforgettable revival of Our Town, his relatively quiet work on The Band’s Visit will, I believe, be regarded as one of his crowning directorial achievements.

And might I add: the cast is absolutely divine, led by career-defining performances by Katrina Lenk and Tony Shalhoub. Their restrained chemistry is a masterclass in subtly and tension. Individually, their performances are certainly award-worthy; the otherworldly Ms. Lenk in particular seethes with a feral force that’s irresistible. You simply can’t take your eyes off of her. The rest of the cast, as you can probably already surmise, is perfection. Their ensemble work and music-making make the show.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED 

THE BAND’S VISIT
Broadway, Musical
Ethel Barrymore Theatre
1 hour, 30 minutes (without an intermission)
Open run