Not Like It Was Before

Bandstand opened and closed on Broadway on 2017, but, despite its' short run, the show garnered a Tony nomination for Best Orchestrations and won the Tony for Best Choreography. A perfect show it is not, however, Bandstand deserves praise for addressing issues not typically found in the plot of a Broadway musical and the strength of the choreography elevates the entire show.

Bandstand is an original musical from Richard Oberacker and Robert Taylor, directed and choreographed by Andy Blankenbuehler. It follows Donny, a recently returned WWII veteran. A singer/songwriter, Donny struggles to find his footing in post-WWII America, and decides to participate in a national songwriting competition and enlists fellow veterans to join him. Along the way, each veteran copes with the effects of war in their own way and with varied levels of success.

Zack Zaromatidis leads a talented touring cast. As Donny, Zaromatidis skillfully conveys the wide-ranging emotions Donny experiences upon returning home to a place that does not feel like home anymore. Jennifer Elizabeth Smith is Julia Trojan, recently widowed, whose husband served with Donny joins the guys on stage. Julia instantly clicks with the band and soon enough the Donny Nova Band featuring Julia Trojan is playing clubs all over Cleveland, and, eventually to New York City. There are moments wherein the plot could have taken more risks, but certain choices must be commended. For instance, when the inevitable romance sparks between Donny and Julia, it does not take over the plot, rather, it simply folds into the fabric of their healing. The members of the Donny Nova Band play their own instruments on stage, and while some are more natural actors than others, each brings an excellent level of musical talent. The ensemble is strong as well, working incredibly hard to propel the story and create the feel of the show while belying the athleticism required to perform Blankenbuehler’s choreography.  

Blankenbuehler’s choreography is as integral to the show as any of the characters. And Bandstand is definitively Blankenbuehler. Each dancer seems to grow six inches on stage because his choreography elongates the body. The fluidity, stretch and dimension in the movements is incredible. Not only that, but Blankenbuehler’s choreography helps to tell the story rather than simply comment on the story. The ensemble of dancers transports the audience from the foxholes of WWII, to the clubs of Cleveland, to the hustle and bustle of New York City. 

For Donny, Julia and their bandmates, life is not - and never will be - the way it was before the war. And their acceptance that it never will be allows the healing process to begin. When Donny tells Julia to "sing because you just need to sing," he is not only speaking of singing, and he is not talking only to Julia.