The Band's Visit or Come From Away

[MBFan]

If you could only choose one, which would it be?

[kclahar]

I would go with Come From Away. The pace of TBV was just a little too slow for my taste.

[dramamama611]

I like them both - very much.   TBV is more subtle and seems to be appreciated by more experienced theater goers.   CFA is easily more accessible for less experienced.

 

They are both emotion evoking experiences (for me), and, overall, I don't think you could go wrong.   I'm fairly sure, however, CFA will outlast TBV - so that would give TBV a slight edge.

 

 

[Scarlet Leigh]

Come From Away for certain. If not for it coming in during a very overcrowded season with a lot of good shows, it could have been a Best Musical winner. It's one of the best shows I have ever see. Band's Visit is..... okay. I don't get the hype (PERSONALLY, to each their own) over it and was kinda of underwhelmed. But Come From Away is such a funny, emotional, thoughtful, and just downright feel good musical.

[Impossible2]

The Bands Visit is a masterpiece on every level.

Come From Away was very enjoyable but not even in the same league.

[youwillbefound2]

The Band's Visit 100%

[Lifesmellsweird]

Impossible2 said: "The Bands Visit is a masterpiece on every level.

Come From Away was very enjoyable but not even in the same league."

I didn’t feel this way at all. TBV has gorgeous music. I loved that part of it. But it is sleepy, in terms of a story. I am so glad I saw it, but it wasn’t for me. I am a very frequent theater goer, so I do feel like I have a lot to compare it to.

CFA is beautiful. I have seen it 3 times and I could keep going back. I find it to be a beautifully immersive experience. It is the polar opposite, in terms of pacing, but I just loved how it is so thoughtfully done. 

 

[Impossible2]

Lifesmellsweird said: "Impossible2 said: "The Bands Visit is a masterpiece on every level.

Come From Away was very enjoyable but not even in the same league."

I didn’t feel this way at all. TBV hasgorgeous music. I loved that part ofit. But it is sleepy, in terms of a story. I am so glad I saw it, but it wasn’t for me.I am a very frequent theater goer, so I do feel like I have a lot to compare it to.

CFA is beautiful. I have seen it 3 times and I could keep going back. I find it to be a beautifully immersive experience. It is the polar opposite, in terms of pacing, but I just loved how it is so thoughtfully done.

"

I thought CFA was very well directed and it certainly was good for the first hour, but I thought as it went on it ran out of steam and when the woman starting prattling on about losing her love for being a pilot it lost me and then quickly became very cliched and manipulative. 

I loved TBV from start to finish and I was enthralled the whole time. I thought it was subtly hilarious all the way through, the performances were fantastic, the music was beautiful and the band were amazing. It was a very original theatrical experience.

[Avery Berlin]

I've seen both and much prefer Come From Away.  I found myself getting very bored during the Band's Visit but that was not the case for Come From Away.  

[ACL2006]

Come From Away. 100%

[Miles2Go2]

The Bands Visit 100%.

I saw TBV (matinee) and CFA (evening) back-to-back. Loved every moment of TBV. I actually fell asleep (briefly) during CFA (the first and only time that's ever happened). The could be because I was really tired. I just didnt find CFA compelling, but lots of people do soI'm  definitely in the minority.

[ElphabaGoodman]

Ive seen both shows multiple times (Ive seen The Bands Visit a lot more) and I would definitely say The Bands Visit, without a doubt.

[Impossible2]

Miles2Go2 said: "The Bands Visit 100%.

I saw TBV (matinee) and CFA (evening) back-to-back. Loved every moment of TBV. I actually fell asleep (briefly) during CFA (the first and only time thats ever happened). The could be because I was really tired. I just didnt find CFA compelling, but lots of people do so Im definitely in the minority."

CFA is kind of like a Disney version of a very serious subject matter to the point that sometimes I actually thought it was verging on the point of uncomfortable. While it never crossed the line, it felt a few times like it was going to. It just felt like something that was created by committee that 'ticked' all the right boxes of what entertainment should be and was a little overcooked to me.

[Miles2Go2]

Impossible2 said: "CFA is kind of like a Disney version of a very serious subject matter to the point that sometimes I actually thought it was verging on the point of uncomfortable. While it never crossed the line, it felt a few times like it was going to. It just felt like something that was created by committee that 'ticked' all the right boxes of what entertainment should be and was a little overcooked to me."

That’s a really good description of my experience. It just felt a little too eager to put a happy face on a very sad time. I think it would help if the score was stronger. 

 

[Scoot3]

The Bands Visit 100%. One of the more powerful theatrical experiences Ive had in a few years, all while maintaining a subtle nature rarely found in a musical.

[ASOOS04]

TBV 200%

I have seen and very much enjoyed both. But its like comparing a burger from shake shack to a tasting menu by Daniel Boulud.

[Kimbo]

The Band’s Visit. Not even close.

One is art, a near-masterpiece, and no matter what one thinks, real musical theatre. The other doesn’t have a score and is basically a very skilled “Up With People Live on Broadway”. 

[GeorgeandDot]

The Band's Visit is the far superior musical.

[wonkit]

The Band's Visit. I've seen it three times and want to see it again. 

[Anshel2]

Go see both on a two show day. They complement each other very well. Makes for a good double feature.

[qolbinau]

The Bands Visit is a piece of fine art. What they can do to develop those characters and relationships in such a short time is remarkable. And that wonderful music. The way they explore the differences between different cultures and draw out the similarities of pleople and what brings us together is handled in a much, much more intelligent and subtle way than CFA.

[Mike66]

CFA

I liked them both.  CFA is a lot more fun.  TBV is a quiet, thoughtful piece, very much like Once was several years ago.  I think the more Broadway musicals you have seen, the more you will enjoy TBV as counterpoint.

But they are both excellent, award winning, hit musicals.  So you are likely to love whichever one you see.

[ghostlight2]

"One is art, a near-masterpiece, and no matter what one thinks, real musical theatre. The other doesn’t have a score and is basically a very skilled “Up With People Live on Broadway”. "

They are both "real musical theater", but they are apples and oranges. I don't see the need to put one down in order to elevate the other. To compare CFA to “Up With People Live" is more than a little insulting

"It just felt a little too eager to put a happy face on a very sad time."

I'm not sure if you are aware, but CFA doesn't simply use the tragedy of 9/11 as a backdrop. Almost all of the stories in the show are true stories, based on real people, who use their real names. There are so many sad and heart-breaking stories from 9/11 (some of which are portrayed accurately and lovingly in CFA). I'm okay with someone showing the silver lining.and the brighter spots of that awful time in history. It isn't force. It is what happened.

That said, I'm with dramamama and Mike66. Come From Away will be around for a few years. OP should see The Band's Visit, a lovely and thought-provoking piece of art. See TBV while you can, return for CFA later, or see it on tour. 

 

[Miles2Go2]

ghostlight2 said: "I'm not sure if you are aware, but CFA doesn't simply use the tragedy of 9/11 as a backdrop. Almost all of the stories in the show are true stories, based on real people, who use their real names. There are so many sad and heart-breaking stories from 9/11 (some of which areportrayed accurately and lovingly in CFA). I'm okay with someone showing the silver lining.and the brighter spots of that awful time in history. It isn't force. It is what happened."

I’m aware. Basing it on real stories doesn’t make it inherently good theater. I’m not saying it’s bad. It just didn’t work for me as well as TBV did. I’m happy that others have a great time at CFA. The OP simply asked which I would chose and I stated my choice and why. I wish CFA no ill will. 

[ghostlight2]

"Basing it on real stories doesn’t make it inherently good theater. I’m not saying it’s bad. It just didn’t work for me as well as TBV did. I’m happy that others have a great time at CFA. The OP simply asked which I would chose and I stated my choice and why. I wish CFA no ill will."

I get it, on all levels. I was just looking for clarification on both our parts, and offering my own opinion. For the record, while I don't post much, I read a lot. I appreciate your reasoned and civilized posts. We don't have to agree, but I enjoy reading why you feel the way you do, whether we agree or not. I like to discuss differing opinions.