Israeli actor Sasson Gabay stepped into the role of Tewfiq in The Band's Visit on Broadway June 26. It wasn't his first time portraying the Egyptian police band leader; the actor had originated the role in Eran Kolirin's 2007 film that inspired the Tony-winning musical.
鈥淚鈥檝e been carrying this film with me for many years. It continues to inspire responses from people in film festivals and abroad; in a way, it鈥檚 still existing,鈥� Gabay told 半岛体育 following a recent performance. 鈥淏ut I never expected to join the character again. When [producer] Orin Wolf told me he had this idea [of adapting the movie into a musical], I immediately agreed with the idea, but I didn鈥檛 think it would happen.鈥�
When Wolf approached Sasson again鈥攁fter the show had already transferred to Broadway and knowing that its Tony-winning star Tony Shalhoub would soon be departing鈥攊t was with an offer to play Tewfiq again, this time onstage.
For Gabay, it was a welcome opportunity to return to a character that had stayed special to him for the past decade. 鈥淧art of every character has stayed with me, but especially this one,鈥� says the actor. 鈥淚 like this man. His lightness, his nobility, and how formal he is. He doesn鈥檛 know how to manage in the world, so he鈥檚 developed a shell.
鈥淚鈥檝e liked coming back to him. It was like meeting an old, good friend that you join forces with again.鈥�
Gabay took over from Dariush Kashani, who succeeded Shalhoub earlier this year.
The Band's Visit unravels over the course of a single evening as a stranded Egyptian police band forms unlikely friendships with the inhabitants of a remote, Israeli desert village. The show opened at Broadway鈥檚 Ethel Barrymore Theatre in November last year after an acclaimed Off-Broadway world premiere at Atlantic Theater Company.
The Band's Visit is directed by David Cromer. The musical features a score by David Yazbek and a book by Itamar Moses; all three won Tony Awards for their work on the musical.
