It’s 1945: The boys are back. Big bands are in. And America is swinging again.
Will Open on Broadway in the 2016 – 2017 Season
Directed &Choreographed by Tony Award® winner Andy Blankenbuehler
Music by Richard Oberacker
Book & Lyrics by Richard Oberacker & Robert Taylor
The producers of The Bandstand are pleased to announce that following a critically acclaimed, hit world premiere engagement at Paper Mill Playhouse this fall, the new musical will open on Broadway in the2016 – 2017 season starring Tony Award® nominee Laura Osnes(Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella) and Corey Cott (Newsies).
Directed and choreographed by Tony Award® winner Andy Blankenbuehler (Hamilton, In the Heights), The Bandstand features music by Richard Oberacker and a book and lyrics by Richard Oberacker and Robert Taylor.
Dates, theater and additional casting will be announced at a later date.
Andy Blankenbuehler said “It’s been really thrilling to see The Bandstand come to life for the very first time up on the stage at Paper Mill Playhouse. We’ve learned a lot about the show, and we’re excited to continue working on the piece as we focus towards an opening in New York next year. The show’s heart is huge, and its voice is both unique and exciting. I’m very, very thankful to be part of this team!”
Set in 1945, The 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 Bandstand features scenic design by David Korins, costume design by Paloma Young, lighting design by Jeff Croiter, sound design by Nevin Steinberg and casting by Tara Rubin Casting.
The Bandstand will be produced on Broadway by Tom Smedes, Gabrielle Palitz, Terry Schnuck and Tom Kirdahy.
BIOGRAPHIES
Andy Blankenbuehler (Director and Choreographer) choreographed Hamilton, In the Heights (Tony®, Outer Critics Circle, Drama Desk Awards), Bring It On (Director/Choreographer), 9 to 5, The People in the Picture, The Apple Tree and Annie. His other work includes the world premieres of Hamilton (Public Theater,Drama Desk, Lortel, Obie Awards), Fly (Dallas Theater Center), and Andrew Lippa’s A Little Princess, as well as The Wiz (Encores) and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (US tour). As a performer, he danced on Broadway in Fosse, Contact, Man of La Mancha, Saturday Night Fever, Steel Pier, Big and Guys and Dolls.
Richard Oberacker (Music, Book,Lyrics) is currently conducting Cirque du Soleil’s Kà in Las Vegas. Mr. Oberacker’s conducting credits include Cirque’s Dralion and national tours of Disney’s The Lion King, Show Boat, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Music of the Night and Cats. As a composer, co-lyricist, and co-librettist, his original musicals include A Little Theater(Aurelia Theater), In That Valley (NAMT), Dracula (Corbett Theater), The Gospel According to Fishman (Signature Theatre), Ace (NAMT, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Cincinnati Playhouse, Old Globe, Signature Theatre), Journey to the West (NYMF), The Parenting Project (Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati) and The Sandman (NAMT, Fredericia Theater of Denmark).
Robert Taylor (Book, Lyrics)’s musicals include Ace (NAMT, Cincinnati Playhouse, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Old Globe Theatre, Signature Theatre), Journey to the West(NYMF), The Parenting Project (Cincinnati Fringe Festival, Ensemble Theatre) and The Sandman (NAMT, Fredericia Theater of Denmark). He has taught foreign languages and ornithology in New York, English and music in China, served as music critic for the Albany Times Union, founded and directed several nonprofits and worked as a freelance musician and writer in Manhattan and as a translator in Europe and Asia.
Laura Osnes (Julia Trojan) has starred on Broadway in Bonnie and Clyde, Anything Goes, South Pacific and Grease and was nominated for a Tony Award® and won the 2013 Drama Desk Award for outstanding actress in a musical for her performance as Ella in Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella. She recently starred as Julie Jordan in Carousel at the Lyric Opera of Chicago opposite Steven Pasquale. Other New York credits includeThe Threepenny Opera, The Band Wagon, Randy Newman’s Faust, Pipe Dream andThe Sound of Music. Ms. Osnes has appeared on television in “Elementary”(CBS), “The Miraculous Year”(HBO), “Sondheim: The Birthday Concert”(Avery Fisher Hall), “Six by Sondheim”(HBO) and “The Kennedy Center Honors.”
Corey Cott (Donny Novitski) recently appeared on Broadway in Gigi starring opposite Vanessa Hudgens. Weeks after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University he starred as Jack Kelly in Newsies on Broadway. Mr. Cott made his solo concert debut at The Kennedy Center as part of the ASCAP Centennial Celebration. He was a guest star on CBS’ “Madam Secretary”and will appear as a guest star on TNT’s “Public Morals.” Film credits include The Intern, The Teacher, Perks Of Being A Wallflower and What You Get.
www.BandstandBroadway.com
