There is a moment during the closing scene of Andrew Lloyd Webber's School of Rock when the show transforms from a mere crowd pleasing musical, to a pure and unadulterated celebration. Having witnessed the young students of Horace Green Preparatory School fully evolve from disenfranchised, rule-following and generally unhappy children, to confident rock stars willing to 'stick it to the man,' the audience cannot help but leap to its feet and join the party at the top of Mount Rock. More than a local battle of the bands, it is a celebration of the importance of arts education, the power of inspiring teachers, the joys of finding one's voice, and of the mind-blowing capacity for so much talent to exist in such small bodies and at such an early age. Judging by the standing ovation that began before and continued throughout the curtain call, it is clear that the Orpheum audience was fully invested in these young characters, and that School of Rock had therefore done its job. Indeed, this culminating scene is the ultimate payoff that makes the two and a half hours that precede it entirely worth the investment. The only disappointment was that there was no after party on Beale Street. Armed with their instruments and boundless talent, something tells me that the students of Horace Green Preparatory School could most certainly have brought down the house.
Andrew Lloyd Webber's smash hit School of Rock - The Musical has announced new casting for the 2018-19 season. Merritt David Janes, previously from the original Broadway company and the Dewey Alternate on tour, is taking over the role of Dewey. Also joining the cast are Madison Micucci as Patty, Layne Roate as Ned, Gary Trainor as Dewey Alternate, Brian Golub as a swing and Jonathon Timpanelli as an ensemble member.
Tony Award-winning Best Musical, THE BAND'S VISIT has recouped its $8.75 million capitalization on Broadway. The new musical began performances on October 7, 2017 and officially opened on November 9, 2017 on Broadway at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre (243 West 47th Street).
Last night, the Alexandria Ceremonial Police Band of the The Band's Visit took to the stage door for a celebratory post-show jam session to celebrate the show's 10 Tonys including Best Musical. BroadwayWorld got to catch the exciting concert, and you can check out photos below!
David Yazbek has received a portrait at Sardi's! BroadwayWorld attended the unveiling of the portrait, yesterday. Check out photos from the exciting event below!
The North American Tour of The Band's Visit will launch in Providence, Rhode Island in June 2019. Exact dates and additional cities will be announced at a later date. The show's producers also announced today that a new block of tickets for The Band's Visit are now on sale through Sunday, February 17, 2019.
The Band's Visit recently made a visit of their own to NPR's Tiny Desk series. Watch below as the cast and company perform music from the Tony-Award Nominated new musical!
Last night, the company of The Band's Visit (including Tony Award nominees Katrina Lenk and Ari'el Stachel), and the musical's on stage Alexandria Ceremonial Police Orchestra (George Abud, Ossama Farouk, Sam Sadigursky, Harvey Valdesand Garo Yellin) invited the real life NYPD Ceremonial Police Band (under the direction of Lieutenant Tony Giorgio). The band attended the performance, and then joined in on stage to play a song together.
THE BAND'S VISIT plays its 200th Broadway performance on Friday, May 4, 2018, which would have been Umm Kulthum's 114th Birthday. Check out photos from the celebration below!
BroadwayWorld has been checking in with Tony Award nominees all morning! We caught up with the nominated cast of The Band's Visit on Broadway to get their first reactions at being up for Tony Awards this season.
It was revealed on Twitter tonight that the cast of The Bands Visit will stop by the TODAY show this week for a special performance from the show and kicking off Broadway Week on the morning show, beginning Tuesday, May 1.
The hit new Broadway musical THE BAND'S VISIT will launch a digital lottery on Friday, March 16, 2018, making a limited number of $40 tickets available for all performances at www.thebandsvisitlottery.com.
Producers announced today Obie Award Winner Dariush Kashani (Oslo) will join the best reviewed Broadway show of the season, THE BAND'S VISIT, as 'Tewfiq' on Thursday, March 1, 2018.
This afternoon at TEDxBroadway, composer David Yazbek took to the stage to perform a number from his current hit Broadway musical, The Band's Visit. Check out the video below to see David put his own spin on 'Haled's Song About Love' for an excited crowd.
The Actors Fund announced today that The Band's Visit has added a Special Benefit Performance for The Actors Fund. This benefit performance will be held on Sunday, February 25, 2018 at 7:30 pm at the Barrymore Theatre (243 West 47th Street).
In Broadway by Design, BroadwayWorld is shining a spotlight on the stellar designs of this Broadway season, show by show. Today, we continue the series with Scott Pask and Sarah Laux, who acted as scenic and costume designers for Broadway's moving new musical, The Band's Visit.
Few new musicals have been quite so critically well received as The Band's Visit. It was with the same enthusiasm and love that we recently welcomed the cast of The Band's Visit to Broadway Sessions. Enjoy these intimate performances from Sharone Sayegh, Madison Micucci, Pomme Koch, Kristen SIeh, Ahmad Maksoud, Jonathan Raviv, Rachel Prather, Kirsten SIeh and more. Also enjoy performances by our "Rising Stars" Kyle Branzel and Melanie Sierra.
The Actors Fund announced today that The Band's Visit has added a Special Benefit Performance for The Actors Fund. This benefit performance will be held on Sunday, February 25, 2018 at 7:30 pm at the Barrymore Theatre (243 West 47th Street).