The New York Times Critics’ Pick
“ONE OF THE MOST RAVISHING MUSICALS YOU WILL EVER BE SEDUCED BY OPENED ON THURSDAY NIGHT AT THE BARRYMORE THEATER. IT IS CALLED ‘THE BAND’S VISIT.’ Directed by DAVID CROMER with an inspired inventiveness that never calls attention to itself, ‘The Band’s Visit’ flows with the grave and joyful insistence of life itself. All it asks is that you be quiet enough to hear the music in the murmurs, whispers and silences of human existence at its most mundane – and transcendent.” – Ben Brantley, The New York Times
“DAVID YAZBEK’s melody matches the exquisitely uncertain certainty of the lyrics. That ‘something different’ is the heart-clutching sensation that throbs throughout this miraculous show, as precise as it is elusive, and all the more poignant for being both.” – Ben Brantley, The New York Times
“KATRINA LENK, who mixes languidly feline sensuality with knowing self-deprecation, IS MESMERIZING” -Adam Fedlman, TimeOut New York
“TONY SHALHOUB HAS POSSIBLY NEVER BEEN BETTER.” – David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter
“THE BEST MUSICAL OF THE YEAR HAS MADE IT TO BROADWAY. ‘The Band’s Visit’; shows that the great American art form (give or take jazz) is still full of life when practiced by artists who trust the taste and intelligence of their audiences.” – Terry Teachout, The Wall Street Journal
“Directed here with A MAESTRO’S VIRTUOSIC VISION BY DAVID CROMER, ‘THE BAND’S VISIT’ IS GENTLE, SOULFUL, TUNEFUL – and THE BEST NEW MUSICAL ON BROADWAY. BEAUTIFUL MUSIC, BEAUTIFUL STORY, BEAUTIFUL ACTING.” – Peter Marks, Washington Post
“THIS IS A REMARKABLE AND BOUNDLESSLY COMPASSIONATE AND HUMANISTIC PIECE OF THEATER.” – Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune
“ITAMAR MOSES, one of our best playwrights, has translated the screenplay of ‘The Band’s Visit’ into musical-comedy terms with quiet skill. Mr. Yazbek’s songs are a savory multicultural mixture of Egyptian pop music, Israeli klezmer and cool American jazz, one so fresh-sounding that you can scarcely believe they’re being sung on a Broadway stage. His lyrics are just as good.” – Terry Teachout, The Wall Street Journal
“A BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF THEATER. In both form and content, the show gave me more hope for what Broadway might welcome, might foster, might become than any musical in a long time.” – Sara Holdren, New York Magazine
“FEED YOUR SOUL: GO SEE ‘THE BAND’S VISIT.’” – Jeremy Gerard, Deadline
“Moses and Yazbek have created something rare, grown-up and special. The book packs warmth, wit and economy. Irresistible songs blend strains of Arabic and Israeli melodies and flecks of jazz. Onstage musicians showcase the music to the max.” – Joe Dziemianowicz, New York Daily News
“★★★★ FOUR STARS! ‘The Band’s Visit,’ which feels even richer on Broadway than in its award-winning 2016 run at the Atlantic, is unconventionally wise. It is rare to encounter a show that has such a graceful sense of time.” -Adam Feldman, Time Out New York
“★★★★ FOUR STARS! An urgent, realistic and relatable portrait of vulnerable individuals from different cultures who are able to make an unexpected human connection. I doubt that a better written new musical will come to Broadway” -Matt Windman, AM New York