Theater Review: "Bandstand" at Playhouse on Park

Review by Nancy Sasso Janis

Playhouse on Park’s Season 14 concludes with a stellar production of the musical “Bandstand,” with music by Richard Oberacker and book and lyrics by Robert Taylor and Richard Oberacker. The “swing” musical tells the story of six soldiers that return from war and, through the power of music, finally find a place to call home.

This moving musical tells the story of a group of veterans returning home to the United States after World War II in 1945, struggling to fit into their old lives while dealing with the lingering effects of the war. The original production of “Bandstand” premiered at the Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey in 2015, before moving to Broadway in 2017 and closing after a five-month run. It was then announced that the tour would not resume following its early closure due to the pandemic.

Private First Class Donny Novitski, pianist and singer/songwriter, struggles to rebuild the life he left behind. He puts together a band composed solely of veterans to compete in a national patriotic radio contest in New York City in which the winning song will be performed in Hollywood by the band. The Donny Nova Band plays their hearts out while providing post-war America a look into the PTSD and survivor’s guilt that affected America's heroes.

“Bandstand” is the first musical that was certified by the organization Got Your 6 for the show's reasonable and accurate veteran portrayals.

Sean Harris directed the wonderfully talented members of the cast and Darlene Zoller and Robert Mintz choreographed the high-energy dances that are often woven into the story. The musical features plenty of swing, as well as bebop, and jitterbug.

Benjamin Nurthen, originally from Philadelphia, leads the excellent cast as Novitski. Katie Luke, who played Texas in “Cabaret” at Playhouse on Park, gives a stunning performance as war widow and band singer Julia Trojan. She holds a BFA fromThe Hartt School.

Equity actor John Elliott is amazing on the trumpet as Nick Radel in his Playhouse on Park debut, the role that he played at Phoenix Theatre Company and Summer Lyric Theatre at Tulane University.

Jack Theiling, who played Meyer Balsam “Indecent” at Playhouse, portrays sax player Jimmy Campbell. In his Playhouse debut, Equity actor Alan Mendez plays bass player Davy Zlatic, a role he played at Phoenix Theatre Company. Dan Jantson makes his Playhouse debut as drummer Johnny Simpson. At Bethlehem High School, he was Jean Valjean “Les Miserables” and is entering his sophomore year at The Hartt School, studying Music Production & Technology with a focus on jazz drum set.

Mindy Cassle makes the most of her role as Julia’s mother in her Playhouse on Park debut.
Chris Haley portrays trombone player Wayne Wright, a role he played with Summer Lyric Theatre.

Dance Captain James Felton II is a standout in the ensemble in his Playhouse on Park debut. The supremely talented dancer joined West Hartford’s Ballet Theatre Company last spring and is a treat to watch in this production.

This is not to diminish the talent and stage presence of the other members of the busy ensemble, who add so much to the look and sound of this production. Featured ensemble member Tiara Greene is a hoot in one of her second act roles.

In addition to the onstage musicians, there is a wonderful band conducted by Melanie Guerin behind the scenes. Scenic design by James Rotondo features sliding panels and rotating bases that work well, all well lit within the restrictions of the low ceilinged space by Jackson Funke. The period-perfect costumes were designed by Barbara Erin Delo.

My only criticism of this production was the sound design. I had difficulty understanding the lyrics of many of the musical numbers and later learned that I had completely missed one important detail about one of the veterans. The score contains a long list of musical pieces, reprises and preprises (a new musical term for me) and the performance runs two hours and forty-five minutes. However, because everything moves along at a fast clip, we hardly notice.
Playhouse on Park has launched an impressive production of this poignant and highly entertaining story. The three previews of “Bandstand” were sold out and opening night was packed, so get your tickets early. For tickets, visit www.PlayhouseOnPark.org or call 860-523-5900 ext. 10

Nancy Sasso Janis, writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, posts well over 100 reviews each year. In 2016, her membership in the Connecticut Critics Circle began and her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted not only in the Naugatuck Patch but also on the Patch sites closest to the venue. She recently became a contributor to the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column and theatre reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the paper.

Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the CCC Facebook page.