See it if You want to have an amazing experiment.
Don't see it if You are looking for an up lifting show.
See it if You want to see a 40s-set musical modernized for today. You know anyone that was in the military. If you straight up like swing music/dance
Don't see it if You have anything against PTSD experiences or music being played live on stage, not just in the orchestra pit Read more
See it if you like original material, fabulous dancing, A+ acting; Corey Cott or Laura Osnes, or clever staging; relevant stories.
Don't see it if You only like contemporary pieces, you don't like shows that have a message, or you want only tap dancing from choreography.
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. Read more
See it if You like stories of war and coming home from war
Don't see it if you don't like military stoies
See it if you like an old fashioned show and a beautiful love story with fantastic choreography
Don't see it if you don't enjoy an old time musical with wonderful songs and dances
See it if You enjoy great music, singing and choreography. You enjoy a great story that involves veterans returning from war. Highly recommended.
Don't see it if You don't like musicals. Otherwise, this is definitely worth seeing.
See it if you are a lover of beautiful storytelling with exquisite Music, Singing, Dancing, Staging, Directing, Costumes, etc. It's a powerful show!!!
Don't see it if you are dead inside! It's a poignant, powerful, beautiful story with Brilliant music, dancing, & staging! SEE THIS SHOW BEFORE IT'S GONE!!!
“Cott and Osnes are worthy Broadway leads, with big voices and the energy and commitment to steer the show, but while they sounded great together, they lacked the spark that might’ve had me cheering for them to connect romantically…Blankenbuehler pulls double-duty as both choreographer and director here and manages with aplomb…'Bandstand' offers plenty to entertain in the moment, but despite its weighty theme, little lingers.”
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“An urgent testimonial to the healing and restorative power that the arts can have...Oberacker and Taylor created a swinging original score that not only captures the period style but also digs deep into the characters. The music is so tightly integrated into the script that ‘Bandstand’ becomes unusually powerful musical theater...Blankenbuehler does a stunning job as both director and choreographer.”
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"Taylor and Oberacker did a fine job turning the story into a deeply engaging and moving work. With high intensity and just the right touch of humor, they deal sensitively with the emotional issues plaguing each of the characters, while director/choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler put it into exhilarating motion…The music is appealingly catchy...With nary a false note in this production, 'Bandstand' creates sweet harmony from the dissonance of war."
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“‘Bandstand’ explores the undeniable power that art has to change the world…It also benefits from first-rate direction and choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler…In terms of style, 'Bandstand' is refreshingly old-fashioned…Osnes performs her two big numbers with a blistering intensity that is thrilling to behold. While not all of the songs fit comfortably in Cott's range, his work is as alive as it gets. It's an exhilarating, star-making turn."
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"Exhilarating, adventurous and immensely moving...As toe-tapping entertaining as it is poignant...The writing and acting is perfectly on pitch...Director/choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler's slam-bang production, continually on the move, ingeniously uses his ensemble to not only express the new freedoms post-war Americans felt with the latest dance crazes, but also to symbolize the internal struggle of its heroic main characters."
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"All of these songs unfold in an onstage world jittery with energy, maddened by an irresistible swing beat, thanks to the tightly coiled staging of director/choreographer Blankenbuehler...Cott drives the action as Donny, offering galvanic vocals...Osnes finds a surprising (and welcome) amount of steel in Julia...Even in its more formulaic moments, the show continues to surprise. And its central point remains steadfast: These men risked everything for their country—attention must be paid."
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“The conflict between what is and what should be is the powerful driving force behind this compelling evening…Oberacker and Taylor have created a heartfelt show that works well on its own terms...The music is of the bold and infectious variety…Too often, however, the songs aren't memorable…Blankenbuehler fares better, his staging brisk and fluid…Cott makes an arresting leading man…Osnes looks and sounds smashing, though she could dig a bit deeper to find more of Julia's defining darkness.”
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"Buoyed by a pair of charismatic, well-sung performances by the equally gorgeous Corey Cott and Laura Osnes, a tuneful score by Broadway newcomers Rob Taylor and Richard Obercraker, and some dynamite 1940s-inspired choreography by Tony winner Andy Blankenbuehler (who also directs), the show manages to prompt far more cheers than jeers – despite some unfortunate missteps in the book and execution."
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