Bandstand

See it if you love Osnes & Cott; they give great performances in a meh show. Plot is silly, characterizations inconsistent, dialogue is leaden...

Don't see it if and the staging is cramped by the set. The cast is almost entirely white (why?) Disappointing lyrics, unmemorable music.

Also Many professional critics found fault with this show. It wasn't painful, but it was a waste of singing/acting talent. A couple of very good songs.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to experience the charm of Osnes & Cott & to see some great 40s-inspired dancing in an otherwise forgettable, cliche-ridden musical

Don't see it if you want to hear a memorable score or see a coherent, original story. [The Greatest Generation deserves a much greater musical.]

See it if Valiant efforts by Osnes, Cott & an excellent ensemble provide ballast to bifocaled book Choreography energetic but uninspired

Don't see it if Blankenbuehler's directorial debut hindered by unfocused book & uninspired score. Vet's PTSD problems far more interesting than love story

See it if you're looking for a more traditional-feeling Broadway musical that still moves with a contemporary energy.

Don't see it if you roll your eyes when shows feel very earnest. There's nothing irreverent about it.

See it if Dancing, Sing, Story about coming home after war, and dealing with life. Love story too.

Don't see it if Part are very emotional and don't like musical

See it if you enjoy good dancing, singing and musicianship; music is pretty but not memorable.

Don't see it if you care that the music is often too loud for the voices; you want a well edited play which flows - this is choppy and under directed.

Also This good story should have been better developed and edited, which would have made the play more interesting, absorbing and more poignant. The talent is certainly there. Close to Broadway ready but not quite there.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy swing music and dancing -although there was not as much of either as I had anticipated; predictable plot and love story.

Don't see it if you like big production musicals with memorable songs. This one had decent music, a bit soppy a times, cheerful ending.

See it if you want amazing singing & dancing telling a story of returning vets.It is hard hitting.It is NOT a light, fluffy, pop music show.

Don't see it if you are looking at their marketing & think the show is just a 1940's musical.It deals with troops returning home and the scars they bring.

See it if to hear the mesh of live onstage band with broadway orchestra. Endless, seamless movement on the stage. there is a good play in here.

Don't see it if you want a cohesive story. you want to see real dance rather than scattered moments of flash.

Also I really wish they would have concentrated on one thing, be it the PTSD or the Andy and Judy put on a show. THere was no risk, so little payoff.... Read more Read less

See it if Wartime musical with good not (with a couple of exceptions) great music. Generally upbeat although serious moments especially in Act 2

Don't see it if Don't want to see wartime sacrifices - loss & PTSD; don't want actors performing their own instruments on stage; want deep characters

Also Loved it when the band was playing even though songs often not great. The bass & brass were fun. The dance numbers were also fun then.
Wish there were more depth to the band members - their back stories sad but interesting.
Definitely wanted more of the mother which Beth Leavel played with wonderful comic timing.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy these excellent performers and/or would enjoy a love letter to our troops in the form of a Broadway musical. It moves on occasion.

Don't see it if you want originality of story, diversity of cast, or will hate that this took the choreography Tony "Holiday Inn" rightfully deserved.

Also The leads have a heartfelt platonic connection for 3/4 of the show, then suddenly (and jarringly) force a romance, because Broadway can't fathom the idea of a platonic opposite sex friendship. #fail... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see the best choreography on Bway this season. A wonderfully put together show. Old themes that are new thanks to its creators.

Don't see it if musicals are not your thing though this one should not be missed.

See it if A Broadway musical made for veterans of all ages. Sparkling and upbeat with good performances by the entire cast.

Don't see it if Do not see if you prefer serious dramas .

See it if you seek a sentimental (without being frothy), heartwarming, gripping, and awe-inspiring new musical headed by talented performers.

Don't see it if you dislike dance-heavy shows, romances, moments of PTSD (World War II flashbacks and references), and/or the "swing" and "big band" era

Also Bandstand is a breathtakingly performed new musical that simultaneously pays tribute to war veterans, the past eras of uplifting "big band" music, and the intelligent capabilities of a talented cast of actors, singers, dancers, and musicians. The entire ensemble is magical--not a single movement is not orchestrated like a ballet, with a rather basic stage and set design elevated by the way in which the cast maneuvers around and uses the staple objects as opportunities to strut their stuff. In no way, though, is the choreography (well-deserving of its Tony Award) distracting: this entirely inspiring work puts the audience back in the 1940s and feels patriotic without a pushy political agenda. Laura Osnes' incredible voice is enchanting, but it's Corey Cott whose entire energy and spirit dominates this story--he's magnetic in his commitment to playing devastated and ambitious Donny Novitski. This is also a tale for poets, artists, musicians, writers. For dreamers. In short--for everyone.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see fabulous dancing and singing with a good plot, set after WWII. Particularly relevant to those who have been in service.

Don't see it if You are not patriotic or you do not enjoy the musical genre of the 1940's.

Also Very upbeat. Does not drag for a second. Thoroughly entertaining from start to finish. I loved it!... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a 1940's style swing musical about soldiers trying to readjust to life through forming a band & entering a national contest.

Don't see it if you don't like a dance heavy musical about romance blooming during the forming of a all soldier swing band and the widow of a soldier.

See it if Unique slant on post WW 2 themed musical. Wonderful cast,led by Laura Osnes and Corey Cott, excel in singing,dancing and playing instruments

Don't see it if Old fashioned musical about post WW 2 era is not your cup of tea. Big dance numbers are major part of the show.

See it if you enjoy compelling stories that deal with finding yourself after coming back from war combined with great music and dancing

Don't see it if you are expecting a light, fun, swing-era musical. This show has a lot of depth and meat to it.

Also I loved this show. Corey Cott and Laura Osnes are powerhouses (Cott was robbed of a Tony nom in my opinion). Clever staging and use of visual imagery to depict the struggles of those returning from war. Music is fun at times and intense when it needs to be. I don't understand how this show got so overlooked and why it isn't selling as well as it should. I hope it finds its audience.... Read more Read less

See it if Big band musical with terrific dancing, and acting in the aftermath of war. Loved that the performances are dedicated to our troops.

Don't see it if You do not like old fashioned musicals, swing bands or heavy subject matter. I enjoyed this more than I'd expected.

See it if Talent says it all ... great musicianship

Don't see it if Seeking ground breaking musical.

See it if you want to see your "typical Broadway show" but with a little more substance than something like 42nd Street.

Don't see it if you don't like swing in either music or dance (or both).

Also I was surprised to find this show had more depth than I expected. I thought it would be all fluff, but how they handle PTSD was actually quite beautiful.... Read more Read less

See it if for a poignant portrait of WWII servicemen & widow bonding & healing through music they perform; a moving, relatable story & tribute to vets

Don't see it if you're painfully sensitive to stories of veterans' struggles acclimating to life post-service or you dislike swing or dance-laden musicals

Also I'm not much for swing music, but as an amateur musician, I was intrigued by the element of the 6 actors performing their own music. They were terrific, and Laura Osnes's singing is phenomenal, too!... Read more Read less

See it if You like jazz/big band music. You are interested in WWII/American history. You want a show go to with a veteran.

Don't see it if You dislike Jazz/Big Band music. Only like shows with lots of choreography. Do not wish to see a show that deals with PTSD. It gets heavy.

Also This show was a wonderful surprise. I was looking for a show to go to with my mom who enjoys big band style jazz like Bobby Darin.

I went in completely unaware of the show's plot and I really loved it. The actor/musicians were all top notch and the music sounded very authentically of the period. This isn't a "broadway jazz" sort of pastiche. It's the real deal.

The book is also devastatingly intelligent and often hilarious. It's very much an ensemble show and everyone in the band brings something unique to the play.

I would recommend this show to everyone. Even if they don't think they'd be into the subject matter it's just a wonderfully written musical.

Special mention to the sound design. There are both amor musicians and a pit orchestra and the sounds of both are masterfully mixed. It could have been very jarring to hear two different sound sources on stage but you never even notice or care.... Read more Read less

See it if You have no expectations, and want to walk out pleasantly surprised. We saw this on a whim, expecting nothing, and were really entertained.

Don't see it if You're looking for a great show. This was good, but it won't change you, or make you think past once you've left the theater. Entertaining!

See it if Great 40's pastiche with style & verve not matched by book that veers wildly between Best Years Of Our Lives pathos and Let's Make a Show

Don't see it if You don't like swing and 40's style athletic dancing or want a fairy tale musical

Also I don't mind tonal changes but this was too long and sometimes felt like it couldn't figure out if it wanted to explore soldier readjustment issues post WWII or be a Judy Garland Micky Rooney backyard to Broadway movie fantasy . Loved staging and dancing and music. Book needs some focus and trimming of banal elements... Read more Read less