Bandstand
Closed 2h 30m
Bandstand
84

Bandstand NYC Reviews and Tickets

84%
(1061 Ratings)
Positive
91%
Mixed
8%
Negative
1%
Members say
Great singing, Entertaining, Great staging, Delightful, Great acting

About the Show

Set in the swing-fueled nightclubs of post-WWII America, this against-all-odds story of a singer/songwriter and his band of mismatched fellow vets comes to Broadway. Starring two-time Tony nominee Laura Osnes.

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Show-Score Member Reviews (1,061)

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108 Reviews | 15 Followers
100
Riveting, Must see, Romantic, Great singing, Entertaining

See it if You want to have an amazing experiment.

Don't see it if You are looking for an up lifting show.

54 Reviews | 17 Followers
99
Exquisite, Resonant, Thought-provoking, Intense

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

82 Reviews | 16 Followers
98
Delightful, Entertaining, Great acting, Great singing, Relevant

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.

350 Reviews | 163 Followers
98
Powerful, Great singing, Great choreography, Must see, Masterful

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

123 Reviews | 19 Followers
95
Heartstrings will be pulled, Fantastic, Entertaining, Absorbing

See it if You like stories of war and coming home from war

Don't see it if you don't like military stoies

67 Reviews | 20 Followers
95
Entertaining, Delightful, Funny

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

146 Reviews | 34 Followers
95
Delightful, Entertaining, Great acting, Great singing, Resonant

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.

138 Reviews | 17 Followers
95
Great acting, Great singing, Resonant, Riveting, Must see

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!!!

Critic Reviews (64)

Entertainment Weekly
April 26th, 2017

“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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AM New York
April 26th, 2017

“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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NY1
April 27th, 2017

"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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Theatermania
April 26th, 2017

“‘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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BroadwayWorld
April 27th, 2017

"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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Lighting & Sound America
April 27th, 2017

"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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Talkin' Broadway
April 26th, 2017

“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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Theater News Online
April 27th, 2017

"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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