Photo Coverage: Laura Osnes, Corey Cott & More Are Swingin' Back to the 40s for Opening Night of THE BANDSTAND
By: Genevieve Rafter Keddy Oct. 19, 2015
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Paper Mill Playhouse opens its 2015-2016 season with the world premiere musical The Bandstand. As previously announced, Tony Award nominee Laura Osnes (Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella, Bonnie and Clyde), Corey Cott (Newsies, Gigi) and Tony Award winner Beth Leavel (The Drowsy Chaperone, 42nd Street) star in the show, which runs through Sunday, November 8, 2015. BroadwayWorld takes you inside the opening night after party below!
Also in the cast are Joe Carroll (Johnny Simpson), Brandon J. Ellis (Davy Zlatic), James Nathan Hopkins (Jimmy Campbell), Geoff Packard (Wayne Wright), and Joey Pero (Nick Radel). Rounding out the company are: Tanya Birl,Thomas Cannizzaro, Max Clayton, Daniel Cooney, Matt Cusack, Andrea Dotto,Stacia Fernandez, Marc A. Heitzman,Ryan Kasprzak, Andrew Leggieri, Lauren Mufson, Mike Nappi, Jessica Lea Patty, Jeff Pew, Keven Quillon,Corey John Snide, Emily Tate and Mindy Wallace.
THE BANDSTAND is directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Andy Blankenbuehler (Hamilton, Bring It On, In the Heights). The Bandstand features a book and lyrics by Richard Oberacker and Robert Taylor and music by Richard Oberacker.
On the creative team are: David Korins (Scenic Design); Paloma Young (Costume Design); Jeff Croiter (Lighting Design); Nevin Steinberg (Sound Design); J. Jared Janas (Hair, Wig & Makeup Design); and Tara Rubin Casting (Casting).
Set in 1945, The Bandstand tells the story of a mismatched band of military veterans who join together to compete in a national radio contest in New York City with a prize that will guarantee instant stardom to the winners. But with complicated relationships, the demands of the competition and the challenging after-effects of war, going all the way for a win in the contest seems like a dream that may break these musicians. The original score is strongly influenced by authentic 1940s swing music and much of it is played onstage by the characters who make up the band. The show races towards a "live on air" finale that has an emotionally charged and surprise twist ending that requires every ounce of talent, stamina and raw nerve that these musicians possess.
Photo Credit: Genevieve Rafter Keddy
Larry Elardo, Stephen Hoebee-Elardo, Ashley Hoebee-Elardo, Mark S. Hoebee
Kate Weatherhead and Jeff Croiter (Lighting Design)
Garrett Bauer and Mark S. Hoebee
Emily Tate and Tara Langdon
Emily Tate and Tara Langdon
Todd Schmidt (Managing Director of The Paper Mill Playhouse), Richard Oberacker (Music, Books and Lyric), Robert Taylor (Book and Lyrics) and Mark S. Hoebee (Producing Artistic Director of The Paper Mill Playhouse)
Jeff Pew, Mike Nappi, Matt Cusack, Emily Tate, Marc A. Heitzman, Allison Solomon and Ryan Kasprzak
Kevin Quillon, Andrea Dotto, Mindy Wallace, Stacia Fernandez, Jeff Pew, Emily Tate and Corey John Snide
Mark Stuart, Allison Solomon and Andy Blankenbuehler (Director and Choreographer)
Mark Stuart, Allison Solomon and Andy Blankenbuehler
Mark S. Hoebee and Andy Blankenbuehler
Mark S. Hoebee and Andy Blankenbuehler
Mark S. Hoebee and Beth Leavel
Mark S. Hoebee and Beth Leavel
Danielle Boucher, Debbie Tjong and James Nathan Hopkins
Michael Murphy, Jennifer Barnes and Brandon J. Ellis
Brandon J. Ellis and James Nathan Hopkins
Jessica Lea Patty and Tanya Birl
Todd Schmidt and Mark S. Hoebee
Leslie Fanelli, Sean Dineen and Mark S. Hoebee
Joe Carroll, Geoff Packard, Brandon J. Ellis and Joey Pero
Joe Carroll, Geoff Packard, Brandon J. Ellis and Joey Pero
Joe Carroll, Brandon J. Ellis, Geoff Packard, James Nathan Hopkins and Joey Pero
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