“The Band’s Visit”

[rating=4] Often, movies do not transfer well to the stage. In particular when you add music, making a film into a sort of “chamber musical” ( my favorite form of musical story telling). Eran Kolrin’s screenplay about a group of Egyptian musicians who lost their way in Israel , “The Band’s Visit” is now an award Winning musical ( 10 Tony Awards), and is now visiting Chicago’s Cadillac Palace Theatre.

The story is about a group of musicians who were asked to perform in a remote area of Israel. I might point out they are police musicians in full uniform, who due to an error at the border are forced to spend the night in this town as the next bus will not arrive until morning. There is no hotel or even a guest house and so the locals “take them in”. What takes place during the next  100 minutes ( no intermission) is our watching the lives of these “mortal enemies” intertwine with each other and those that were having problems seem to no longer feel the same.

Each of the characters finds that they can let out some of the fears and problems of their lives and face the reality that what has happened cannot be changed. They help each other! Yes, Israeli’s and Egyptians bond and learn from one another about music, love, forgiveness, longing and even laughter can connect even those who have been raised to hate ( or perhaps, fear) one another.

Award- winning Sasson Gabay, reprises his film role as Tewfiq, the leader of the band. The role of Dina, the owner of the pub where they end up staying is played by Chilina Kennedy ( her voice is astounding).

With a book by Itamar Moses and music and lyrics by David Yazbek, “The Band’s Visit” is more a story-telling experience than a typical musical. Most of the songs are Dina’s and the Band ( all of the band members are solid musicians who after the curtain call will do a number that will rock the theater, so do not hurry for the exits- you will not want to miss one minute of these talented men!).

The beauty of the story is that in spite of the “back story” on each of the main characters, the music and the spirit that comes from reaching out to each other, brings them closer to the normalcy that they once had. Losing a loved one or having a loved one flee is hard to overcome. There is one character, The Telephone Guy (Mike Cefalo) who proves that hope can spring eternal and wishes can come true. We see a married couple whose lives change because of a baby, and yet, the music and the sensitivity of the Egyptian musician in their home, makes them see the light as well. This is a love story of a different type- love of one another and being able to overcome the hatred and fear that has been taught over the decades , allowing each to go forward with the lessons learned from the other.

The cast is sensational. Along with Ms Kennedy and the stellar Gabay, we also have Pomme  Koch, Joe Joseph, Adam Gabay, Ronnie Malley, David Studwell, Jennifer Apple, Marc Ginsburg, Kendl Hartse, Sara Kapner, James Rana, Ahmad Maksoud ( thru 9/8) and THE BAND: Tony Bird, George Crotty, Evan Francis, Roger Kashou and Ronnie Malley.

FYI-There is also a band for the regular music conducted by Rick Bertone. This production is directed by  Chicago’s own David Cromer with choreography by Patrick McCollum. The set ( Scott Pask) is basic and uses a turntable to perfection allowing many of the scenes to change swiftly and seamlessly.

“The Band’s Visit” will be at The Cadillac Palace Theatre located at 151 West Randolph Street thru September 15th with performances as follows:

Tuesdays  7:30 p.m.

Wednesdays  7:30 p.m

Thursdays  7:30 p.m.

Fridays  7:30 p.m.

Saturdays  2 and 8 p.m.

Sundays 2 p.m. and added 7:30 p.m. on 9/15

Tickets range from $39- $106 and can be purchased at any of the Broadway In Chicago box offices, by calling 1-800775-2000 or online at http://www,BroadwayInChicago.com

Digital Lottery tickets- 26 each performance at $25 on day of and $39 RUSH tickets each day ( same day)

LOTTERY: visit https://broadwayinchicago.com/show/the-bands-visit/

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “The Band’s Visit”.

By the way, lots of new dining experiences in the area. We found one last night that has been a secret ( at least to us) for years- The Randolph Tavern at 188 Randolph Street

great menu at affordable prices and great location for the theater. www.randolphtavern.com