Bandstand
...hits like a gut punch and a great argument for why theater can sometimes tell a story more boldly and more viscerally than a movie or a television show
The New York Times, Broadway production
Why see Bandstand?
Bring Back The SWing
After lighting up Broadway in 2017, and winning a Tony in the process, Richard Oberacker and Robert Taylor's Bandstand has hit the road on tour! With direction and choreography by the Tony-winning Andy Blankenbuehler, Bandstand transports you back to post WWII America in this sensationally sizzling musical.
A musical spectacular with emotional bite, Bandstand follows a group of veterans who form a swing band on their return home, with the hope of hitting the big time in a national radio competition. The production won the 2017 Tony for Best Choreography, and also picked up two Drama Desk Awards. Boasting of some of the greatest Choreography Broadway has ever seen, this all dancing, all singing emotional rollercoaster will leave you with joy in your heart and a hop in your step.
What is Bandstand about?
Donny Novitski is back from the war and unsure what the future holds. His nights are restless, with visions of the battlefield running through his mind, but perhaps music holds the key to his recovery. A once-promising jazz musician, Danny's interest is peaked by a national song competition on the radio, with the winning band bagging an appearance in an MGM movie! Donny sets about putting together a band of fellow veterans, determined that their terrible past experiences shouldn't hold them back from claiming a better future.
With the band improving, Donny's luck seems to have hit an even bigger break when he finds the beautiful and talented widow Julia to be their singer. A romance begins to blossom between the two, yet the band are heading into choppy waters. Their collective pasts can't be so easily forgotten, and the tension caused by all their underlying mental stresses is threatening to break the band apart. As the competition looms closer, they must rediscover their unity if they stand a shot at glory.
Key Information
Run Time
Dates
Cast
Zack Zaromatidis as Donny Novitski
Jennifer Elizabeth Smith as Julia Trojan
Roxy York as Mrs. June Adams
Rob Clove as Jimmy Campbell
Benjamin Powell as Davy Zlatic
Scott Bell as Nick Radel
Louis Jannuzzi as Wayne Wright
Jonmichael Tarleton as Johnny Simpson
Shaunice Alexander, Beth Anderson, Michael Bingham, Milena J. Comeau, Ryan P. Cyr, Sarah Dearstyne, Michael Hardenberg, Andre Malcolm, Kaitlyn Mayse, Matthew Mucha, Mallory Nolting, Taylor Okey, Katie Pohlman, Oz Shoshan and Cameron Turner.
Creative
Directed and Choreographed by Andy Blankenbuehler
Book & Lyrics by Richard Oberacker & Robert Taylor
Music by Richard Oberacker.
Awards
2017 TONY WINS
Best Choreography - Andy Blankenbuehler
2017 TONY NOMINATIONS
Best Choreography - Andy Blankenbuehler
Best Orchestrations - Bill Elliott and Greg Anthony Rassen
2017 DRAMA DESK WINS
Outstanding Choreography - Andy Blankenbuehler
Outstanding Orchestrations - Bill Elliott and Greg Anthony Rassen
2017 DRAMA DESK NOMINATIONS
Outstanding Actress in a Musical
Outstanding Book of a Musical - Richard Oberacker
Outstanding Music - Richard Oberacker
Outstanding Choreography - Andy Blankenbuehler
Outstanding Orchestrations - Bill Elliott and Greg Anthony Rassen
Outstanding Costume Design for a Musical - Paloma Young
Outstanding Lighting Design for a Musical - Jeff Croiter
Reviews
Our review
Strong, empowering, beautiful
Set in Cleveland, Ohio during the mid 1940s, Bandstand is vibrant, colorful and fun whilst sensitively portraying the story of ex-soldiers finding solace - and hope - in music.
Nicola Quinn