Welcome to Nowhere

The Band’s Visit

Try to imagine this situation. As part of a small musical ensemble, you’ve traveled many miles to play a concert in a tiny remote 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 another 24 hours. You and your band are tired, hungry and irritable from a long day of travel and waiting around. Then, to make matters worse, 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 playing at Writers 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 doesn’t feature any big, splashy production numbers. Instead, Yazbek’s gorgeous score 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 stranded 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’re really all basically alike.

Guided with grace and sensitivity by gifted guest director Zi Alikhan, the production overflows with love and compassion. The production features choreography by Sebastiani Romagnolo, musical direction by Jason Burrow and music supervision by Andra Velis Simon. This show is a sublime celebration of goodwill and generosity that features a multitalented international cast of professional artists.

Sophie Madorsky, remembered from Chicago Shakespeare’s gorgeous musical, “The Notebook,” 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 music and 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 Rom Barkhordar. His duet with Dina, “Something Different,” is as lovely as it is poignant. This talented actor might be remember for his powerful performance in Writers’ “Wife of a Salesman” or in “Mosque4Mosque” at About Face Theatre. Both of these gifted actors may lead the cast, but every single member of this immersive production is a multitalented artist.

The supporting cast of actor/singer/musicians is wonderful. Youthful ladies man, Haled, is played with subtle, likable boyish humor by Armand Akbari. Making his Writers Theatrre debut, Armand has appeared both Off-Broadway and in many regional theater productions all over America. The character’s “Song About Love,” is sung with the subtle sexiness and the smooth, velvet tones of a 1950’s nightclub singer. Shy, inexperienced Papi, who receives romantic advice from Haled, is superbly played by Sam Linda. He comes into his own at the roller rink with his rendition of “Papi Hears the Ocean.” Harper Caruso is heartbreaking as the Telephone Guy, a young transgender Israeli individual who stands sentinel at the only payphone in town, waiting for their girlfriend to call (“Answer Me”).

In another household, Itzik, who’s played with sensitivity and goodnatured humor by Dave Honigman, is a young, but unambitious husband and dad. His wife’s father, Avrum (poignantly portrayed by Michael Joseph Mitchell), is a widower, who appealingly recounts to band member Simon (the superb Jonathan Shaboo), how he and his late wife met in “The Beat of Your Heart.” When Itzik’s frustrated wife leaves again, to escape what she can’t change, Itzik sings to his tiny baby; but when the child begins to cry, Simon calms him with his soulful clarinet composition.

The following morning, as the Band members 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 the musicians end up in the wrong town again. When the Band finally arrives in Petah Tikvah, they end the musical playing one last joyful instrumental number—at long last the opening of their concert.

With this exquisite, gently-paced musical play, there are no big production numbers, no glitzy costumes and quite likely you’ll leave the theatre without humming any of the tunes. But the infectious rhythms that welcome us to nowhere will linger. The powerful message carried away from this touching tale is that, despite differences in race, religion, sexual orientation and political affiliation, we’re all human beings. We share the same basic needs, wants, feelings and the longing for each other. In a way, we’re all members of The Band.

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented February 8-March 17 by Writers Theatre, 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe, IL.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling 847-242-6000 or by going to www.writerstheatre.org.

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