Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group is thrilled to welcome four additional cast members to its 2020 season opener, the Tony and Grammy Award-winning Best Musical The Band's Visit, which opens in March.
Four of the brightest musical theatre stars, Reb Atadero, Maronne Cruz, Jill Peña, and Floyd Tena, join the Asian Premiere of the musical that The New York Daily News called, “Overwhelmingly joyous . . . The Band’s Visit takes place in the desert and, like a mirage, it shimmers. But better. Because this hushed, heart-melting musical is real—and truly magical.”
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Reb Atadero has appeared in musicals such as Ang Huling El Bimbo, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Spamalot, Grease, Altar Boyz, and The Woman in Black, amongst many others. In The Band’s Visit, he will play Papi, the shy worker at Dina’s cafe who turns to Haled to help him overcome his fear of girls. This will mark his first production with Atlantis. Maronne Cruz, whose list of credits include Waitress, Company, and Ang Huling El Bimbo, plays Julia, Papi’s equally shy blind date, upset by the lack of attention she is getting. Jill Peña, who has appeared in numerous plays and musicals including Beautiful, Company, Kinky Boots, Annie, and Carrie, plays Iris, Itzik’s no-nonsense and headstrong wife who has resigned herself to the choices she has made in life. Floyd Tena, who has appeared in Himala, Binondo, and Eto Na! Musikal Napo plays Sammy, Dina’s ex-lover who she unexpectedly bumps into while she is out to dinner with Tewfiq. This will also be his first production with Atlantis. They join previously announced cast members Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Mark Bautista, Nino Alejandro, and Bibo Reyes.
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Bobby Garcia, who directs the musical says, “Slowly but surely, we are assembling a cast for The Band's Visit as magical as the musical itself. This is a show that swept me off my feet when I first saw it with its tender charm about our common humanity and how music can be the driving force that brings us all together. I look forward to assembling the rest of what promises to be an unforgettable cast.”
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. It features music and lyrics by David Yazbek and a book by Itamar Moses.
The Band's Visit will launch Atlantis’ 21st season, dubbed as ATLANTIS TWENTY TWENTY. The season will also feature an all new revival of the awardp-winning family musical Oliver! Through a special licensing agreement with Cameron Mackintosh Ltd. and MTI, and On Your Feet, which is presented through a special licensing agreement with Theatrical Rights Worldwide and Gloria and Emilio Estefan.
The Band's Visit runs from March 13 to 29, 2020 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City. Show buying and fundraising opportunities are available now. Email shows@atlantistheatrical.com for inquiries. Tickets are now available at www.ticketworld.com.ph.
