A BRONX TALE to Reopen the Axelrod Performing Arts Center
The Axelrod Performing Arts Center will reopen its doors on Friday, October 29, with the first performance of A Bronx Tale The Musical directed by Broadway veteran Richard H. Blake. Based on Oscar nominee Chazz Palminteri’s play and subsequent film, A Bronx Tale is set in an Italian American neighborhood in the Bronx of the racially charged 1960s.
BWW Review: BANDSTAND at Times Union Performing Arts Center
a?oeRight This Waya?? to the Times Union Center for the Performing Arts to see Bandstand. Audiences were so moved by the musical on February 18. Bandstand follows the story of veterans' home from World War II as they try to qualify for a music competition. The group becomes the Donny Nova band and intends to win the competition and dedicate it to the veterans that defended the United States. It is very appropriate for the show to come to Jacksonville, FL as we have not one, but two naval bases. You could feel the theater become heavy with an array of emotions as audience members were transported to this time period and watched these characters portray very real post-war circumstances.
BANDSTAND to Make Area Premiere in March at D.C.'s National Theatre
BANDSTAND will make its area debut at D.C.'s National Theatre from March 3-8, 2020. Originally directed and choreographed by three-time Tony Award® winner, Hamilton choreographer, and Kennedy Center Honoree Andy Blankenbuehler, featuring music by Richard Oberacker with book and lyrics by Robert Taylor and Richard Oberacker, this poignant and inspiring new American musical explodes with infectious music and high-octane, heart-stopping dancing.
BWW Review: BANDSTAND at Broadway In Thousand Oaks Has All The Right Moves But Something Is Out Of Tune.
The musical Bandstand, which is now part of the American Theater Guild tour across the country, thrives when Andy Blankenbuehler's Tony-winning choreography is front and center. Restaged for this production by Marc Heitzman, who was Dance Captain in the Broadway production, the dances display vitality that makes audiences want to stand up and join in. The book and score do not hold up their end of the bargain, and in this production, Bandstand is further saddled with lackluster performances that should have been re-enlivened by tour director Gina Rattan.
BWW Review: BANDSTAND at Washington Pavilion
The national tour of Bandstand arrived in Sioux Falls on Monday, November 11 and transported the audience at the Washington Pavilion back to post World War II in 1945. With music by Richard Oberlacker, and the book and score by Robert Taylor and Overlacker, this Tony Award winning Broadway musical combines fabulous swing-era style songs and brilliant original choreography from 'Hamilton's'own Andy Blankenbuehler, with a beautifully conceived and inspirational story about a group of soldiers who strive to put their lives back together after the trauma and horrors of war. How fitting to experience this show on Veteran's Day when our country stops to pay respect for the sacrifices of all those who fight for our freedoms every day.
Bristol Riverside Theatre Produces THE PRODUCERS
Bristol Riverside Theatre presents the ever-popular musical The Producers with book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan and music and lyrics by Mel Brooks on March 6-April 1. The multiple Tony-award winning musical is directed by Keith Baker, music directed by Douglass Lutz, with choreography by Stephen Casey and starring Danny Rutigliano and Michael Doherty and featuring Nicole Benoit, Fred Inkley, Morgan W. Reynolds, Jo Twiss, and Danny Vaccaro. The ensemble features Luke Bradt, Kathryn Brunner, Nicole Calabrese, Zachary J. Chiero, John D. DiFerdinando, Becca Goebel, Louis Jannuzzi III, Lauren Krigel, Patrick Ludt, Niklaus Patrick Miller, James E. Ofalt, Dominick Sannelli, Erika Wasko, and Keith Watford.