In July 2018, previews began for the buzzy musical Gettin’ the Band Back Together, and we were lucky enough to be invited – three staffers got comps, so off we went.
With the invitation arriving just a day before, we meant to scramble for background info, but after watching the trailer on the official site, we grasped the gist and headed straight in. The result: we learned you can enjoy this show even if you don’t understand English. If you have seen the big staples already and are wondering what to try next, this is a strong pick.
Table of contents
About Gettin’ the Band Back Together
At first glance, you might expect a story where Mitch, a securities firm employee who never gave up his youthful dreams, quits his job late in life to become a musician. In reality though, it is a bit different. Mitch is quite a realist; he has filed the glory days with his old band firmly under “memories” and faces the world head-on.
Then reality bites – he is laid off for poor performance and returns to his hometown in New Jersey. Various circumstances and reasons push him to reunite the band. it is a familiar setup with a twist in both plot and character. Before you read this report, we recommend checking the detail page for a synopsis and character guide.
Venue: Belasco Theatre
Belasco Theatre
Address: 111 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036
The Belasco is also famous as the first Broadway theater to use spotlights. For basic info and architectural notes, see the venue detail page.
A compact house with state-of-the-art sound
The seating does show its age, but as the first Broadway theater to adopt spotlights, this venue has long embraced technology. We cover Belasco’s love of the latest tech on a separate page – give it a read.
A Tiffany stained-glass museum of a theater
Climb the stairs up to the third-floor balcony for an even closer look.
Our seats this time
We were invited and, on top of that, given terrific seats – thank you! Three together on the aisle near center orchestra. Perfect. We didn’t yet realize how much that aisle location would boost our fun.
How to read the ticket: ORCHC K 111-113
Row K (12th from the front), seat 113
Seat 113 sits on the aisle side of orchestra center. The larger the number, the closer to the aisle; the smaller the number, the closer to dead center.
As with many older houses, legroom here is tight. Since we were on the aisle, we often stood to let people pass, and when a larger patron arrived, we all stepped fully into the aisle to make space – the clearance is that slim.
On the upside, the seating is packed close to the stage, so even in Row K (12th) we felt quite near. Compared with, say, the Gershwin for Wicked, Row K at the Belasco puts you much closer.
After exploring the theater, we headed for the restrooms. At this venue, both the bar and the restrooms are downstairs.
Beer runs about $14 – Broadway pricing – but it comes in a souvenir cup you can keep, so we grabbed one and returned to our seats.
How to get the most out of this show
Aisle seats in the orchestra are absolute winners
They didn’t just pass by – they chatted with audience members, high-fived, the works. Mid-show, there is a flyer handout scene to recruit bandmates, and yes, they hand flyers to the audience too. It has been a while since we saw a show interact this much.
Check the merch at intermission
The show cracks plenty of Jersey self-deprecating jokes, and the merch reflects that – think a New Jersey outline with “HELL YEAH” across it. Lots of comedy in the designs.
Post-show fun! First-time stage door
The show was such a blast that we decided to do the stage door for the first time in a while. On Broadway, the distance between actors and audience is small – ask an usher and they’ll tell you exactly where the cast exits. This time the answer was “up the steps to the right after you exit the front doors.” The Belasco has no back alley door; all entrances are on 44th Street, which makes things easy to find.
They were doing a meet and greet
When we asked, they explained it was the VIP list for a meet and greet. For preview performances, winners of a pre-show drawing receive wristbands and can go inside to shake hands and take photos. (Meet and greet.)
Get your Playbill signed
Because of the meet and greet, it took a bit for cast to appear, but after about ten minutes Ricky – Sawyer Nunes – came out. He is charmingly age-appropriate (only 16!), and happily signed and posed for photos. Afterward he just walked home. No car – on foot. That is Broadway for you.
Next, Mitch’s buddy Bart – Jay Klaitz – emerged, rocking a Stormtrooper tank top. Despite the long show, everyone looked energized. You can tell they genuinely love doing this.
About ten minutes later we met Mitch’s mom Sharon – Marilu Henner. Seeing her up close, it is hard to believe she is 66. A true star presence – poised and radiant compared with the younger cast. Everyone graciously signed and took photos, so we highly recommend trying a stage door for a lasting Broadway memory.
*Click the images to enlarge
Gettin’ the Band Back Together – post-show impressions
If the relationships between characters seem tricky at first, no worries – we have a character guide on the detail page above. Read that and you’ll be set.
If you want a bright, laugh-out-loud time, pick Gettin’ the Band Back Together
Vocally, Officer Mitchell stood out as the best singer of the night. For live-music lovers we used to recommend “School of Rock” without fail, but it was sadly announced to close in January 2019. This show fills that hole perfectly.
If you want to sit in your own world and quietly reflect, this is not your show (see Phantom!). But if you want a show that screams “this is American musical theater!”, don’t miss it.
Broadway Musical Discount Tickets – On Sale Now!
Find the best Broadway ticket deals right here – faster, cheaper, and backed by local expertise. Get ready to experience the magic of Broadway!
- Get discount tickets easily with instant booking
- The most detailed musical guides and reviews
- Dedicated support throughout your Broadway experience
