Tony Award Winning “The Band’s Visit” in Dallas – February
Playing in Dallas from February 5 – 16 at the Winspear Opera House and February 18-23 at the AT&T Performing Arts Center
THE BAND’S VISIT is a beautiful, nontraditional musical that is subtle and somewhat slow in its delivery but powerful in its message. This is not your usual musical with lots of big numbers and foot stomping music and if that’s what you expect when you go you’ll be disappointed. But if you go with an open mind and heart you will find yourself moved in ways that you didn’t expect. It is definitely worth the trip to see it.
Here’s the Plot:
THE BAND’S VISIT tells the story of an Egyptian police band that goes to Israel to perform a concert. Because of a funny mix up of the town’s name at the bus station, they wind up in the wrong town. With no bus till morning, they are taken into their homes by the locals for one night and the rest of the story is funny, heartwarming, and at times heartbreaking.
The ensuing interactions between the band and the locals examines how even though they may come from completely different cultures, human connection is very powerful. The beautiful music that the Egyptian band brings with them to the small “nowhere” Israeli town meshes these two cultures together for one (very long) night. Despite their many differences, the possibility of conflict never materializes and in fact, it becomes something much more powerful. This is a story about acceptance and the revelation that we are all simply human trying to make it through life with the same desires, dreams, disappointments, and yes, even heartbreaks.
THE BAND’S VISIT is the winner of 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, making it one of the most Tony-winning musicals in history. Starring in the Dallas Production is a cast of world-class performers led by award-winning Israeli actor Sasson Gabay, star of the original film and Broadway production. THE BAND’S VISIT is actually based on the 2007 film of the same title written by Eran Kolirin. The show also features a band of very talented actors/musicians that perform the score which is a combination of jazz and traditional Middle Easter music. The final number is a satisfying ending to this poignant story about how a small insignificant band brought light and hope to a group of lonely people in another country.
Leave the kids home for this one. It’s not that the musical is inappropriate but it’s not your typical crowd pleasing musical with nonstop music and dancing. It’s a musical for adults who enjoy theater and the many surprises that you may find there. My husband and I are still talking about it.
ABOUT THE SHOW:
- THE BAND’S VISIT is co-presented by Dallas Summer Musicals and the AT&T Performing Arts Center at the Winspear Opera House:
- DSM – February 5-16 | Tickets: dallassummermusicals.org/shows/the-bands-visit/
- ATTPAC – February 18-23 | Tickets: attpac.org/on-sale/2020/the-bands-visit/
One Comment
Jera Alcorn
This is not the first time I have read your reviews. It is the first time I have posted. I was underwhelmed. I was underwhelmed because I thought they could have done so much more. I don’t have to be blown away musically with every show. I liked “Dear Evan Hansen.” because I have seen that exact same paradigm in my teaching experience. To me, in “The Band’s visit,” the main theme was that the stress between Arabs and Jews can be ameliorated. Peace is not an impossibility. I liked that part. My criticisms are that the characters seemed tired. The band, except the leader, the tambourine player, and the the clarinet player, didn’t really interact with the townspeople. I kept expecting the lead, Sasson Gabay, to dance. She looked like a dancer. I wanted a little more than just the characters sadly walking across the stage, each one singing a sad ballad. A person sitting next to me read Hebrew. He told me that the Hebrew writing on the screen underneath the admonition to turn off our cell phones, said,In both Arabic and Hebrew: “Turn off your cell phone.”