International Productions
- The Band's Visit musical is based on a 2007 Israeli film of the same name.
- Its European premiere occurred at the Donmar Warehouse in London, directed by Michael Longhurst, from September to December 2022.
Musical Composition
- The original Broadway cast recording of 'The Band's Visit' was released on December 15, 2017, and achieved significant rankings on the Top Current Album Sales and Cast Albums charts.
- 'The Band's Visit' musical subtly incorporates diverse musical influences, including a performance of Boney M.'s 'Sunny' and Rodgers and Hart's 'My Funny Valentine' by Haled, showcasing the cultural fusion that characterizes the show.
- The rendition of 'Answer Me' by the Telephone Guy serves as a poignant reminder of longing and the human desire for connection, culminating in a transformative moment when he finally connects with his girlfriend.
- 'Itzik's Lullaby' was transformed from a solo to a duet in the Broadway production, with Camal singing in Arabic.
- Umm Kulthum, whose song is played to lighten the mood in the story, is considered one of the greatest Egyptian singers and her music is famously beloved across the Arab world.
- It won the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album in 2019.
- David Yazbek wrote the music and lyrics for The Band's Visit, while Itamar Moses penned the book.
Notable Tours
- The Band's Visit started its first US national tour in June 2019 and concluded in June 2023, with a total of 27 stops across North America.
Production Facts
- The Broadway production managed to recoup its $8.75 million capitalization cost by September 2018 and ran until April 2019.
- The Band's Visit is one of only four musicals in Broadway history to win the unofficial 'Big Six' Tony Awards.
- The character Haled reveals his fears about an arranged marriage, a common cultural practice in many parts of the Middle East, contrasting with his smooth-talking demeanor as he navigates social interactions.
- At the 72nd Tony Awards, The Band's Visit was nominated for 11 awards and won 10, including Best Musical.
- The roller skating rink scene, where Papi tries to improve his confidence, uses a relatable metaphor for tackling life's challenges, symbolizing tentative steps towards personal growth and understanding.
- The musical ends in Bet Hatikvah with Dina giving Tewfiq a note for 'Petah Tikvah,' weaving in humor and misdirection as both locations sound similar but have different meanings within the context of the story.
- The Band's Visit was awarded the 2017 Obie Award for Musical Theatre and the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best Musical.
- Initially premiering off-Broadway in December 2016 at the Atlantic Theater Company, The Band's Visit opened on Broadway at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre in November 2017.
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