Set in 1945, Bandstand tells the story of musician Donny Novitski who is about to take on the mission of his life: leading his band of fellow veterans into competition for America's next swing band sensation. However, complicated relationships, the demands of the competition and the challenging after-effects of war may break these musicians.
The original score is strongly influenced by authentic 1940s swing music, much of which is played onstage by the characters and band members. When Donny meets a beautiful, young singer named Julia, he finds the perfect harmony in words and music that could take this band of brothers all the way to the live radio broadcast finale in New York City. But to succeed, it will require every ounce of talent, stamina and raw nerve that these musicians possess.
The boys singing and swinging their hearts out in 'Bandstand,' an exuberant new musical set in the days just after World War II, are chasing an uncertain future and running from their traumatic pasts. Veterans all, with the battered psyches to prove it, they pound the piano keys, bang away at the drums and blow into their horns in the hopes of burning off the steam building in their emotional pipes. This being a musical, of course, they mostly succeed. 'Bandstand,' with a frisky boogie-woogie-laced score by Richard Oberacker, and book and lyrics by Rob Taylor and Oberacker, is the last new musical to open in a season almost overstuffed with them. The total comes to a baker's dozen, an encouraging indication that the hunger for fresh voices on Broadway, fed in recent years on the success of groundbreaking shows like 'Fun Home' and (duh) 'Hamilton,' has led to a healthy spirit of risk-taking on the part of producers.
Songs by Oberacker and Taylor are workmanlike and pleasant, but tend to be monochromatic. Songs that the group sings and ones that drive the plot are pretty indistinguishable, so musically it's a blur. The physical production can be one as well. Andy Blankenbuehler, the Tony-winning 'Hamilton' choreographer, handles dances and direction. There's stylized movement, ghosts of fallen military men following the vets and lots of athletic hoofing. The production is vigorous to the point of sometimes being distracting. Blankenbuehler's large cast steps up. Cott is appealing and gives his all. Osnes sings like a dream - even when the material isn't one. Tony winner Beth Leavel takes on the tiny role of Julia's mom, June, who dispenses quips and advice. 'Listen,' June sings, 'what matters when things happen is what happens after.' That's as deep as 'Bandstand' gets.
2015 | Milburn, NJ (Regional) |
Paper Mill Playhouse World Premiere Production Milburn, NJ (Regional) |
2017 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
---|---|---|---|
2017 | BroadwayWorld Awards | Best Choreography | Andy Blankenbuehler |
2017 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Actress in a Musical | Laura Osnes |
2017 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Book of a Musical | Richard Oberacker |
2017 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Choreography | Andy Blankenbuehler |
2017 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Costume Design for a Musical | Paloma Young |
2017 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Lighting Design for a Musical | Jeff Croiter |
2017 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Music | Richard Oberacker |
2017 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Orchestrations | Bill Elliott |
2017 | Drama League Awards | Distinguished Performance Award | Laura Osnes |
2017 | Drama League Awards | Outstanding Production of a Broadway of Off-Broadway Musical | Bandstand |
2017 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Choreographer | Andy Blankenbuehler |
2017 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Orchestrations | Bill Elliott |
2017 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Sound Design (Play or Musical) | Nevin Steinberg |
2017 | Tony Awards | Best Choreography | Andy Blankenbuehler |
2017 | Tony Awards | Best Orchestrations | Bill Elliott |
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