West Hartford Theater Group's 'Bandstand' A Homage To WWII Vets

Playhouse on Park

WEST HARTFORD, CT — West Hartford-based Playhouse on Park’s 14th season will close this summer with a poignant production of "Bandstand," about life after World War II for a group of veterans/musicians.

Tickets are now on sale and range from $45-$55. Group rates available. Student and Senior discounts are also available. Previews are on July 12-13, with all tickets at $25.

Performances of "Bandstand" are from July 12 to Aug. 20.

There are 2 p.m. matinees on Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday.

Evening performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday and at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. There will be a talk back with the cast and playwright after each Sunday matinee.

COVID-19 vaccination card checks and masks are not required. However, masks are strongly recommended.

"Bandstand's" music is by Richard Oberacker, with book and lyrics by Robert Taylor and Richard Oberacker, according to a Playhouse on Park announcement.

This production will be directed by Sean Harris, with choreography by Darlene Zoller and music direction by Melanie Guerin.

This is the final production of Playhouse on Park’s 14th main stage season, the theme of which is "perseverance."

It is themed so because this season highlights stories of fighters and survivors, to coincide with the "Playhouse’s journey of persevering through the pandemic."

The sponsor of Playhouse on Park’s 2022-23 Season is The Richard P. Garmany Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.

The following is Playhouse on Park's narrative on "Bandstand:"

"It’s 1945. American soldiers return home to ticker-tape parades and overjoyed families, and Private First Class Donny Novitski, singer and songwriter, returns with the hope of rebuilding his life. When NBC announces a national competition to find the nation’s next swing band sensation, Donny joins forces with a motley group of fellow veterans, and together they form a band unlike any the nation has ever seen. However, complicated relationships, the demands of the competition and the challenging after-effects of war may break these musicians. Victory will require every ounce of talent, stamina, and raw nerve that these musicians can muster."

For more information or tickets, call the box office at 860-523-5900, ext. 10 or visit www.playhouseonpark.org. Playhouse on Park is located at 244 Park Road, West Hartford.

For more information on "Bandstand," click on this link.