Bandstand sets Broadway closure notice for September 17

Producers of the Broadway premiere of Bandstand have posted an official closure notice. The final performance will take place at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre on September 17, 2017. Upon closing, the production will have played a total of 24 previews and 166 regular performances.

Bandstand began previews on March 31, 2017, before an official opening on April 26.

Producer Tom Smedes released the following statement:

"It has been rewarding and humbling to have had the opportunity to bring a completely original and unique kind of musical to the stage. Guided by Andy Blankenbuehler's vision, my producing partners Gabrielle Palitz, Terry Schnuck and Roger Horchow along with the Bandstand creatives and cast are proud to have created a show that, in addition to being first class entertainment, has heart, a message and most importantly pays tribute to our veterans. Having opened during a historically crowded season we are gratified to have had an effect on so many lives. We look forward to being able to continue telling this important story with future productions across the country and elsewhere."

Bandstand features music by Richard Oberacker, with a book and lyrics by Robert Taylor and Richard Oberacker.

Synopsis: "Set in the smoke filled, swing fueled night clubs of 1945, Bandstand brings the against-all-odds story of singer/songwriter Donny Novitski and his band of mismatched fellow WWII veterans to the stage. When a national radio contest to find America's next big swing band offers a chance at instant fame and Hollywood fortune, Donny must whip his wise-cracking gang of jazzers into fighting shape. Teaming up with the beautiful young war widow Julia as their singer, they struggle to confront the lingering effects and secrets of the battlefield that threaten to tear them apart. Playing for every voiceless underdog in a world that has left them behind, they risk everything in the final live broadcast to redefine the meaning of victory. With an explosive original score and choreography inspired by the high energy swing rhythms of the era, Bandstand is a truly American story of love, loss, triumph and the everyday men and women whose personal bravery defined a nation."

The principal cast of Bandstand includes Tony nominee Laura Osnes (as Julia Trojan), Corey Cott (as Donny Novitski), Tony winner Beth Leavel (as Mrs. Adams), Joe Carroll (as Johnny Simpson), Brandon James Ellis (as Davy Zlatic), James Nathan Hopkins (as Jimmy Campbell), Geoff Packard (as Wayne Wright) and Joey Pero (as Nick Radel).

The ensemble features Mary Callanan, Max Clayton, Patrick Connaghan, Matt Cusack, Andrea Dotto, Marc A. Heitzman, Ryan Kasprzak, Andrew Leggieri, Erica Mansfield, Morgan Marcell, Drew McVety, Kevyn Morrow, Jessica Lea Patty, Becca Petersen, Keven Quillon, Jonathan Shew, Ryan VanDenBoom, Jaime Verazin, Mindy Wallace and Kevin Worley.

Directed and choreographed by Tony winner Andy Blankenbuehler, the production's creative team also features musical direction by Fred Lassen, musical supervision, arrangements and orchestrations by Greg Anthony Rassen, orchestrations by Bill Elliott, scenic design by Tony nominee David Korins, costume design by Tony winner Paloma Young, lighting design by Tony winner Jeff Croiter, and sound design by Tony nominee Nevin Steinberg. Mark Stuart also acts as Associate Choreographer.

Bandstand is produced on Broadway by Tom Smedes, Gabrielle Palitz, Terry Schnuck, Tom Kirdahy and Roger Horchow.

The world premiere of Bandstand opened at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, New Jersey, in October 2015.