THE BAND'S VISIT Previews

[BroadwayConcierge]

Previews for David Yazbek and Itamar Moses' The Band's Visit begin in just a few days (Saturday, October 7, 2017) at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. Arriving on Broadway with tremendous buzz after an award-winning run at Atlantic Theatre Company last fall, The Band's Visit—which is based on the 2007 film of the same name—is set to open officially on November 9 for an open run.

Who's going?!

[irishgator1]

My husband and I are going on the first night of previews- rear mezz, row A. 

My parents and two aunts are going in early Nov while it’s still in previews. They basically got the same seats as we did at a nice discount (no discount code available for the first preview and that was the only date my husband and I could see it).

[theatretenor2]

irishgator1 said: "My husband and I are going on the first night of previews- rear mezz, row A.

My parents and two aunts are going in early Nov while it’s still in previews. They basically got the same seats as we did at a nice discount (no discount code available for the first preview and that was the only date my husband and I could see it)."

My partner and I are coming to NYC for our anniversary weekend and are seeing DEH, CFA, TBV and Hello, Dolly. So, we'll be there Saturday night for the first preview. This will be my first preview. And then we are at opening night in D.C. for Mean Girls. October will be exciting.

[irishgator1]

theatretenor2 said: "irishgator1 said: "My husband and I are going on the first night of previews- rear mezz, row A.

My parents and two aunts are going in early Nov while it’s still in previews. They basically got the same seats as we did at a nice discount (no discount code available for the first preview and that was the only date my husband and I could see it)."

My partner and I are coming to NYC for our anniversary weekend and are seeing DEH, CFA, TBV and Hello, Dolly. So, we'll be there Saturday night for the first preview. This will be my first preview. And then we are at opening night in D.C. for Mean Girls. October will be exciting."

Wow, you have a big weekend planned! Happy anniversary! It’s our anniversary too on Sunday. 

Are you from the DC area? I’m in NOVA. 

[theatretenor2]

irishgator1 said: "theatretenor2 said: "irishgator1 said: "My husband and I are going on the first night of previews- rear mezz, row A.

My parents and two aunts are going in early Nov while it’s still in previews. They basically got the same seats as we did at a nice discount (no discount code available for the first preview and that was the only date my husband and I could see it)."

My partner and I are coming to NYC for our anniversary weekend and are seeing DEH, CFA, TBV and Hello, Dolly. So, we'll be there Saturday night for the first preview. This will be my first preview. And then we are at opening night in D.C. for Mean Girls. October will be exciting."

Wow, you have a big weekend planned! Happy anniversary! It’s our anniversary too on Sunday.

Are you from the DC area? I’m in NOVA."

Hooray for anniversaries in New York! We are in Richmond. I work in Charlottesville.

[10086sunset]

I'm looking forward to going Saturday night!

[brettarnett]

Has there been any announcement about any sort of rush system?

[PianoMann]

brettarnett said: "Has there been any announcement about any sort of rush system?"

Per their website FAQs, they don't have a rush policy in place at this time:

https://thebandsvisitmusical.com/faq/

[222disneyland]

I know this is critically acclaimed. But just feel its too small for Broadway. And with three small shows winning tonys and well deserved .  I do not like its chances 

[GeorgeandDot]

222disneyland said: "I know this is critically acclaimed. But just feel its too small for Broadway. And with three small shows winning tonys and well deserved . I do not like its chances"

Huh?

 

[RippedMan]

Anyone go tonight? 

[PianoMann]

RippedMan said: "Anyone go tonight?"

Previews start tomorrow (well, technically today since it's after midnight).

[uncageg]

I think there was an invited dress rehearsal.

[PianoMann]

uncageg said: "I think there was an invited dress rehearsal."

Ah, of course, my bad! Didn't mean to sound snippy.

[Kad]

I was at the final dress last night. The production is in truly fantastic shape; aside from a few minor lighting glitches and some backstage noise, it could’ve been a ticketed public performance well into a run. 

[10086sunset]

Kad said: "I was at the final dress last night. The production is in truly fantastic shape; aside from a few minor lighting glitches and some backstage noise, it could’ve been a ticketed public performance well into a run."

 

That is so wonderful to read. Truly excited to be going this evening.

Appears tonight is sold out.

[MattRVA]

Kad said: "I was at the final dress last night. The production is in truly fantastic shape; aside from a few minor lighting glitches and some backstage noise, it could’ve been a ticketed public performance well into a run."

This is great to hear. I have tickets for December and am beyond excited. As difficult as it will be, I’ll try to avoid reading much more (reviews, etc) beforehand. This will be my first time seeing a show without hearing much of the music or knowing much about the staging, and I’d like to be as surprised as possible.

 

[ACL2006]

unless something surprisingly comes in this Spring and shocks everyone, I can't imagine any of the upcoming theme park shows competing with this for the Tony.

[BakerWilliams]

I really, really hope that this is what finally makes Cromer a desirable commodity. He's long been the most talented director working today and it's a shame that he hasn't been more well-known.

[Kad]

I have no idea how this will fare in terms of box office. It’s not splashy, it’s not as brazenly feel-good as, say, Come From Away, it’s not really a known commodity. But it has a beautiful score, a star turn from Katrina Lenk (who will really be a major Tony contender), and and a simple, but very human and profound, message of connection. 

[BroadwayConcierge]

Can’t wait to hear tonight’s reports!

[juice23]

I just snagged a free ticket for the 11/7 performance on audience rewards. It's been sold out a while, but they released a limited amount today! 5,500 points or 1,000 points and $54. 

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Kad said: "I have no idea how this will fare in terms of box office. It’s not splashy, it’s not as brazenly feel-good as, say, Come From Away, it’s not really a known commodity. But it has a beautiful score, a star turn from Katrina Lenk (who will really be a major Tony contender), and and a simple, but very human and profound, message of connection."

It does have Tony Shalhoub, I don't know how much audience interest there would be because of him.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

ACL2006 said: "Unless something surprisingly comes in this Spring and shocks everyone, I can't imagine any of the upcoming theme park shows competing with this for the Tony."

I'm not sure if I'd say the new musicals coming in the spring are theme park shows. Though I do agree that The Band's Visit already looks like an early frontrunner for Best Musical.

As we've seen in recent years, Tony voters have embraced the artistic achievement more as opposed to the tentpole shows (Once winning over Newsies; Gentleman's Guide winning over Aladdin & Beautiful).

[epeter]

Hi Kad,

I’m so glad to hear this. Can’t wait to see it tonight! Any chance you recall the running time?