The Band’s Visit brings a unique perspective to Broadway, a cultural center of the U.S. that has only recently seen standout diverse programming such as Hamilton and Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812. The presence of Arabic and Israeli influences throughout the music, dialogue, and scenery were truly touching.

The musical itself speaks about universal themes of longing, finding one’s place in the world, and the power of geniune human interaction. Through the unexpected stay of the Alexandria Ceremonial Police Orchestra, Bet Hatikvah’s residents found clarity in much of their mundane lives that they had been living in the same manner for years. They were searching for something new, but were initially skeptical when the novelty came in the form of Egyptian police. However apprehensive they may have been in the beginning, the awkwardness was overcome with moments of intimacy such as Simon’s serenade of Itzik’s child and Tewfiq’s song for Dina. These instances allowed each side to see the other as human. It must be noted that the medium they used to do this was English and American cultural icons like Chet Baker and Ella Fitzgerald. This play reminds us to imagine others complexly, search for commonality in a diverse world, and be willing to allow new people and experiences to shape our lives and change our perspectives.