“The Band’s Visit” Announces Full Cast and Creative Team
Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group has revealed the full cast and creative team of its upcoming staging of The Band’s Visit.
As previously announced, The Band’s Visit features Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo as Dina, Rody Vera as Tewfiq, Mark Bautista as Haled, Nino Alejandro as Avrum, Bibo Reyes as Itzik, Reb Atadero as Papi, Jill Peña as Iris, Floyd Tena as Sammy, and Maronne Cruz as Julia.
Completing the cast are Jep Go (Sweeney Todd, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical), Dean Rosen (Sweeney Todd, Waitress), Steven Conde (Sweeney Todd, Waitress), Rhenwyn Gabalonzo (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Matilda), and Leanne Mamonong. Go will be playing the Telephone Guy, the hopeless romantic patiently waiting for his girlfriend to call him at the town’s only payphone. Rosen will be playing Zelger, the cheeky and self-asserting friend of Papi’s who sets Papi up with Julia. Conde will be playing Simon, the second in command of the Egyptian Police Band, eager to try his hand at conducting. Gabalonzo, will be playing Camal, a musician trying to contact the Egyptian embassy and competes with the Telephone Guy for the use of the town’s singular payphone. Mamonong will be playing the role of Anna as well as other ensemble roles.
Bobby Garcia, who will be directing the musical, says, “I couldn’t ask for a better cast than this to bring to life these rich, complex, and human characters. The Band’s Visit has become a modern musical classic, in my eyes, and I think it will be treasured for generations to come. I am extremely proud that we get to tell this story in Manila and bring to life this gorgeous musical with a cast unlike any other.”
Joining him in the creative team are Faust Peneyra (set design) Farley Asuncion (musical direction), Cecile Martinez (musical staging), Adam Honoré (lighting design), Odelon Simpao (costume design), Manman Angsico (vocal direction), GA Fallarme (projection design), Jaydee Jasa (hair and make-up design), and Justin Stasiw (sound design).
The Band’s Visit is Atlantis’ first production for its 2020 season. It will be followed by an all-new revival Oliver!, presented through a special licensing agreement with Cameron Mackintosh Ltd. and Music Theatre International, and On Your Feet!, presented through a special licensing agreement with Theatrical Rights Worldwide and Gloria and Emilio Estefan.
The original 2018 Broadway production won 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 travellers are taken in by the locals. Under the spell of the desert sky, their lives become intertwined in the most unexpected ways. It features music and lyrics by David Yazbek and a book by Itamar Moses, and will mark its International Premiere in Manila.
The show will run from March 13 to 29, 2020 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City.
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