Hey Pittsburgh! Now’s your chance to catch an award-winning Broadway musical as it tours through the city this week.
Pittsburgh-native and North Allegheny High School Graduate Mike Cefalo (’13) will take stage at the Benedum tonight as part of the touring cast of The Band’s Visit.
The smash-hit Broadway show will be in Pittsburgh this Tuesday, March 10 through Sunday, March 15, 2020.
The musical tells the story of an Egyptian Police Orchestra who inadvertently find themselves in a small Israeli town and form an unlikely friendship with the local residents. Set in Israel, the characters communicate through Hebrew, Arabic, and English.
The Band’s Visit has won 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. It also won the 2019 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.
Cefalo plays Telephone Guy in the touring production, and is excited to return to his hometown as part of the show’s touring production.
“It’s amazing, it’s kinda a full circle moment,” says Cefalo. “I grew up in Pittsburgh and got exposed to Broadway shows touring through the city.”
Joining Cefalo at the Benedum is Sasson Gabay, who starred in the original film and the Broadway production of show, reprising his role as Tewfiq. His son, Adam Gabay, also joins the cast as Papi. Janet Dacal, who played Carla in In the Heights, plays the role of of Dina.
The Band’s Visit is based off the 2007 movie of the same name. The musical rendition, with lyrics by David Yazbek and book by Itamar Moses, opened on Broadway at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre November 9, 2017. It kicked off its nationwide tour in June of 2019.
“It’s a pretty different than a lot of other musicals,” says Cefalo of the production. “I kinda describe it as the ‘indie film’ of Broadway musicals.”
With the music performed live on stage, attendees will have the chance to see the show’s Alexandria Ceremonial Police Band perform instruments like the oud and darbuka on stage during the production.
“It’s purposely sparse,” says Cefalo. “It’s very intimate, subtle show.”
In honor of The Band’s Visit visit to Pittsburgh, Downtown restaurant Union Standard is offering a cocktail inspired by the show. Their take on a Kir Royale, the Golden Royale features a golden raisin and honey reduction, yellow chartreuse, and is topped with prosecco.
Additionally, the Cultural Trust works with Downtown restaurants to offer discounts to theatergoers. But for Cefalo, there’s one Pittsburgh dish he’s looking forward to eating while in town.
“I’m dying to eat my mom’s eggplant parmesan,” laughs Cefalo. “That the meal I’m looking forward to when coming home.”
More information and tickets for the show can be found online.
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