We’re All Alike

The Band’s Visit – Broadway in Chicago

Try to imagine this situation. You’ve traveled many miles, as part of a small musical ensemble, to play a concert in a remote, little town. There’s danger in the air because of the political tension and social unrest that’s occurred over decades. You’re limited in your command of the language and, because of your nationality, you’re looked upon with suspicion. Then you suddenly learn that, because of a miscommunication, you’re actually in the wrong town. To make matters worse, it’s a desert village from which there’s no bus for at least 24 hours. You and your band are tired, hungry and pretty irritable from a long day of travel and waiting around. Then you learn there’s not even a hotel where you can stay. What to do?

That’s the plot of the charming, ten-time 2018 Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, now in a limited run at Chicago’s Cadillac Palace Theatre. Based upon the 2007 Israeli film of the same title, this musical is from the creative minds of composer David Yazbek (“Tootsie,” “The Full Monty”) and book writer Ithamar Moses. It is, undeniably, a most unique story. The musical is a quiet, slowly-paced, often humorous and deeply moving show that warms the heart with its humanity. This little jewel of a show features a gorgeous score that connects to audiences, with its toe-tapping Israeli rhythms and mellow, dreamy ballads that speak to the soul.

A talented Ceremonial Police Band from Alexandria, Egypt, find themselves left high and dry in an out-of-the-way desert village. They know no one and there isn’t any lodging available to them. With very little money between them, the band has no choice but to sit and wait for the next bus, which won’t arrive until the next morning. But, in a generous act of kindness, the locals offer food and shelter to the eight musicians (“Welcome to Nowhere”). But more than addressing their physical needs, the story focuses on the townspeople who share their feelings, their problems and their simple lives with these strangers. The play is a musical celebration of the universality of the human condition; how, as a world community, deep down inside, we really are all alike.

Guided with grace and sensitivity by gifted Chicago actor/director David Cromer, both on Broadway and in this National Tour, the production overflows with love and compassion. Musically directed by Rick Bertone, this show is a sublime celebration of goodwill and generosity, featuring a multitalented cast of professional artists.

Chilina Kennedy, fresh from Broadway as Carol King in “Beautiful,” is simply exquisite as Dina. She brings empathy, charisma and an air of sensuality to this lovely, melancholy cafe owner who, if given the choice, would abandon her life in this remote town (“It Is What It Is”). She opens up to Tewfiq, the leader of the Egyptian band, sharing with him a love of old romantic movies (“Omar Sharif”). Dina even wonders if, perhaps, Tewfiq’s accidental arrival in Bet Hatikva was fate. Tewfiq is played with class and a quiet dignity by Sasson Gabay. His duet with Dina, “Something Different,” is as lovely as it is poignant. This talented actor might be an unfamiliar name to American audiences, although he’s appeared in many US films. But Gabay is a prominent, longtime Israeli actor of the stage, screen and television, who also drew critical attention for his portrayal of Lieutenant-colonel Tawfiq Zacharya in the original film.

The supporting cast of actor/singer/musicians is wonderful. Younger, ladies man, Haled, is played with subtle, boyish humor by Joe Joseph. He also appeared in the earlier Off-Broadway production of the musical. The character’s “Song About Love,” is sung with the subtle sexiness and the smooth, velvet tones of a 50’s nightclub singer. Shy, inexperienced Papi, who gets romantic advice from Haled, is superbly played by Adam Gabay.  He comes into his own at the roller rink with his rendition of “Papi Hears the Ocean.” Mike Cefalo is heartbreaking as the Telephone Guy, a young Israeli man who stands sentinel at the only payphone in town, waiting for his girlfriend’s call (“Answer Me”).

In another household, Itzik, who’s played with sensitivity and goodnatured humor by Pomme Koch, is a young, unambitious father and husband. His wife’s father, Avrum, is a widower, who appealingly recounts at dinner, to band member Simon, how he and his late wife met in “The Beat of Your Heart.” When Itzik’s frustrated wife leaves, as she frequently does, to escape what she can’t change, Itzik sings to his baby; but when the child begins to cry, Simon calms him with his soulful clarinet composition.

The following morning, as the Band members (including Tony Bird, George Crotty, Evan Francis, Roger Kashou and Ronnie Malley) prepare to board the bus, Dina scribbles down the name of their destination on a piece of paper and gives it to Tewfiq, just in case he forgets it and they all end up in the wrong town again. As the turntable of Scott Pask’s sparsely designed set revolves, the Band has finally arrived in Petah Tikvah. They end the musical playing David Yazbek’s joyful instrumental opening concert number—at long last.

With this exquisite, gently-paced musical play, there are no big production numbers, no flashy big-name stars and, probably, no songs to leave the theatre humming. But the message that the audience carries away from this touching story is that, despite differences in race, religion, sexual orientation and political affiliation, we’re all human beings underneath, who share the same basic wants, needs, emotions and the longing for each other. We are all members of The Band.

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented September 4-15 by Broadway in Chicago at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph, Chicago.

Tickets are available at all Broadway in Chicago box offices, at all Ticketmaster locations, by calling the Chicago Ticket Line at 800-775-2000 or by going to www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.