Bobby Garcia Talks The International Premiere of THE BAND'S VISIT

Manila, Philippines - Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group's Artistic Director, Bobby Garcia (Angels in America, Sweeney Todd), is set to take on the international premiere of The Band's Visit, the Tony and Grammy Award-winning Broadway musical that has become one of the most awarded musicals in theater history.

Garcia says, "There is a wonderful combination of melancholy and euphoria that weaves its way through The Band's Visit. I struggle to find the exact single word to describe the feeling. Perhaps it is called bliss. Or maybe it is called humanity. Whatever it is, The Band's Visit is one of the most unique musicals I have ever directed.

"It is made up of small, seemingly uneventful moments. Uneventful, perhaps in the theatrical sense. But, in those small moments, we discover what it means to come together as a community and how we discover our universal language as people of different cultures. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to tell this story to an audience in Manila."

The Band's Visit opened on Broadway in 2018 and went on to win 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Based on the acclaimed film, The Band's Visit tells the story of an Egyptian police band that arrives in Israel to play a concert. After a mix-up at the border, they are sent to a remote village in the middle of the desert. With no bus until morning and no hotel in sight, these unlikely travelers are taken in by the locals. Under the spell of the desert sky, their lives become intertwined in the most unexpected ways.

The show features the music and lyrics by David Yazbek and a book by Itamar Moses.

In the cast are Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Rody Vera, and Mark Bautista, along with Nino Alejandro, Bibo Reyes, Reb Atadero, Jill Peña, Maronne Cruz, Jep Go, Floyd Tena, Dean Rosen, Steven Conde, Rhenwyn Galbalonzo, and Leanne Mamonong.

Garcia says of his cast, "I am thrilled to be working with Menchu again and to have her back on the Atlantis stage. We have become very good friends and have often talked about what our next show would be together. I think Menchu will bring a unique spin on Dina, the beautiful, charismatic, and mysterious owner of the cafe, who welcomes the straying band members to their small town. It will be another unforgettable turn from one of the country's finest musical theatre leading ladies.

"I am also extremely excited to be working with the incredibly talented Rody Vera for the very first time and to have Mark Bautista, whose talent I truly believe in, join us once again. They join a fantastic cast who I think will all breathe intoxicating life into this beautiful story of how the love for music can bring about genuine human connection."

The Band's Visit will have set design by Faust Peneyra, lighting design by Adam Honoré, musical direction by Farley Asuncion, musical staging by Cecile Martinez, costume design by Odelon Simpao, vocal direction by ManMan Angsico, projection design by GA Fallarme, hair and makeup design by Jaydee Jasa, and sound design by Justin Stasiw.

It is presented through a special licensing arrangement with Music Theatre International.

The Band's Visit launches Atlantis Twenty Twenty, a season of three musicals that will also feature an all-new revival of the award-winning family musical Oliver!, presented through a special licensing arrangement with Cameron Mackintosh Ltd. and Music Theatre International, and the hit Broadway and West End musical On Your Feet!, presented through a special licensing agreement with Theatrical Rights Worldwide and Gloria and Emilio Estefan.

The Band's Visit plays Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City from 13 to 29 March 2020.

Get the best deals on tickets to The Band's Visit HERE.