The Band’s Visit

The Band’s Visit

Ethel Barrymore Theatre

February 4, 2018

Photo courtesy of The Band's Visit

I’ve heard over and over that The Band’s Visit is not a conventional musical.  Now that I’ve seen it, I understand the meaning of that statement.  This show is in a league of its own and is not to be compared to other musicals.  The score, by David Yazbek, takes you deeper into the heart and mind of each character.  The book, by Itamar Moses, captures the rhythm of the Israeli and Egyptian cultures depicted in the story.  David Cromer’s direction lures you into the deep longing and desire of the characters through careful timing, aching looks, and cautious physicalization.  Through fluid movement and gesture, Patrick McCollum’s choreography creates an emotional pulse that causes connection and delicately moves the action forward.

Photo courtesy of The Band's Visit

When eight Egyptian members of the Alexandria Ceremonial Police Orchestra are scheduled to perform in Israel, they accidentally find themselves in the wrong town.  Dina (played by Katrina Lenk) offers to put the musicians and their leader, Tewfiq (played by Tony Shalhoub), up for the night.  The connections made in this one short evening change the outlook of all involved.  To paraphrase Dina, “the most beautiful moments in life are those that are unexpected.” 

Photo courtesy of The Band's Visit

Katrina Lenk and Tony Shalhoub are mystical.  Their intimacy reaches all the way to the mezzanine.  The entire cast works brilliantly as an ensemble, drawing the audience in for their individual, honest, and emotional stories.  Stellar performances are delivered by John Cariani (as Itzik), Ari’el Stachel (as Haled), Adam Kantor (as Telephone Guy), and Daniel David Stewart (as Papi).

The Band’s Visit is a must see!  It is personal, intimate, and poetic.  It will hopefully be at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre for a long time running.

Domenick Danza

Something Rotten!

Something Rotten!

St. James Theatre

August 4, 2015

Photo courtesy of Something Rotten!

Unique!  Brilliant!  Witty!  Intelligent!  Bold!  Bawdy!  Crisp!  Ingenious!  Yes, I have seen Something’s Rotten! and those are only a few words to describe it.  It’s a farce, a parody, a slapstick comedy, a musical.  It’s Shakespeare meets the Carol Burnett Show (I mean that in a good way).

The plot is original and surprising.  The play takes place in 1595 in the South of London, where William Shakespeare is the most revered playwright of the day.  The Bottom Brothers, Nick and Nigel, want to write a play that supersedes the work of the Bard.  When Nick’s wife announces she is going to have a baby, he begins to feel desperate.  He employs a soothsayer to look into the future to see what the next popular theatre style will be.  He sees something new and different… the musical.  Zaniness ensues as the soothsayer’s visions become vague and muddled, leading the Bottom Brothers on a journey to perplexing hilarity.

Brian d'Arcy James as Nick Bottom
and Christian Borle as William Shakespeare
Photo courtesy of Something Rotten!

Brian d’Arcy James as Nick, John Cariani as Nigel, and Christian Borle as William Shakespeare are all amazing.  Their characters are boldly written and their portrayals are skillfully tremendous.  Heidi Blickenstaff, as Nick’s wife Bea, and Kate Reinders, as Nigel’s love interest Portia, bring the perfect blend of tenderness and humor to their roles.  The only way to mention other strong performances would be to list every name in the program.  The stage consistently exudes vibrant energy, as every cast member does an impeccable job delivering top notch material.

Photo courtesy of Something Rotten!

The production is superbly directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw.  The book and lyrics, by Karey Kirkpatrick, John O’Farrell, and Wayne Kirkpatrick, are highly intellectual and witty.  The Shakespeare references are right on and the musical theatre spoofs are priceless.  The score, by Wayne Kirkpatrick and Kary Kirkpatrick, is excellent.  It delivers a pace and tone that makes you tap your feet and sway in your seat.  Sets, by Scott Pask, and costumes, by Greg Barnes, are designed with broad strokes and bright humor.  They take you back to Shakespeare’s time grinning with delight.

Something Rotten! is sure to be a long running favorite.  No matter how much you pay for your ticket, it is worth five times the price.

  

Domenick Danza