Bandstand delivers the snazzy swing music, ladies in pin curls, and trumpet players in high-waisted trousers that audiences expect from a musical set in 1945. In many ways, this new Broadway musical鈥攃urrently in previews at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, opening April 26鈥攐ffers the familiar comforts of Bernstein-era entertainment.
But there are plenty of surprises beneath that Brylcreem veneer. For one, songwriters Robert Taylor and Richard Oberacker have given Bandstand a fully original score. In fact, the story is partially about the power of creating music.
鈥淭he core of the show is this universal language of music and how people use music to get through things,鈥� says Corey Cott, who plays pianist Donny, a recent World War II veteran who forms a band with fellow vets and Laura Osnes鈥� Julia, the widow of his best friend.
And here鈥檚 the next surprise: They don鈥檛 always have a good time. Historically, musicals from this period kept things light鈥攖hink of Gene Kelly dancing with a cartoon mouse in Anchors Aweigh鈥攂ut despite its vintage style, Bandstand has a modern point of view.
鈥淭he music is their fix,鈥� Osnes says. 鈥淭hey all realize that they forget everything else when they are in harmony together, playing stuff.鈥�
This is not to say that Bandstand is a downer鈥攋ust that it mixes shadows with dance breaks, choreographed by director Andy Blankenbuehler. Both actors say that鈥檚 necessary for making their characters feel like real people.
Both Cott and Osnes have become so attached to the show that they鈥檝e stayed with it for years. 鈥淭here comes a point where you say, 鈥楾his is the project I want to stick with and do,鈥欌€� Cott says. 鈥淎rtistically, I can never get tired of Donny. He鈥檚 so complex and rich and full.鈥�
Plus, these roles bring a particular sense of purpose. Bandstand is the first stage show to be certified by , a campaign that supports accuracy in military-themed works of art.
Osnes takes that certification seriously. 鈥淩esponsibility,鈥� she says, 鈥淚 love that word to describe this, because we鈥檙e all trying to maintain the accuracy of what these people actually went through. It鈥檚 an honor, an unbelievable honor, to tell this story, and we hope that people come and feel that.鈥�
