A brass band plays in the background, a couple dances in the foreground

Bandstand

Music by Richard Oberacker

Book + Lyrics by Richard Oberacker + Robert Taylor

Directed by Pasha Yamotahari

September 21, 2022 to October 23, 2022
Mainstage Theatre

After the ticker tape parades cease, will musical glory bring hope, purpose and redemption for a group of World War II veterans? The New York Times called this “an open-hearted musical that will have you clapping your hands and clenching your fists, tapping your toes and blinking back tears.”

Donny Novitski returns home from WWII in 1945 to parades and celebrations in his small town of Ohio, but, amongst the festivity, he feels lost. Deciding to return to his love of music and life as a pianist, Donny forms a band with veterans who also feel the lingering effects of war and together they enter a national swing band competition. But when he meets Julia – the widow of his best friend during the war – questions of survival on and off the battlefield arise and she joins the musicians as they seek recognition for their musical talents. Featuring spectacular choreography, an ensemble of actor-musicians, and fantastic instrumentalists, Bandstand is a victorious and jazzy story of America’s heroes who find home, purpose, and belonging within the rhythmic beats of swing, bebop, and jitterbug.


Tickets start at $56 Need assistance finding the best seats at the best price? Our Box Office is here to help! Just call 602–254–2151 and we'd be happy to assist you.


Content warnings: strobe, haze, sounds of loud explosions, gunfire, tinnitus ringing, the cleaning of a firearm onstage, and imagery and discussion of war, battle, PTSD, the Holocaust, and suicide.ee.


 

 

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The Artists

Jacqueline Brecker
As Julia Trojan
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Dallyn Brunck
As Dance Ensemble
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Jacody Bullard
As Dance Ensemble
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Hahnna Christianson
As Ensemble; Julia Trojan understudy
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Alex Crossland
As Donny Novitski
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Trisha Ditsworth
As Ensemble; Mrs. June Adams understudy
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EJ Dohring
As Ensemble
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John Elliott
As Nick Radel
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Chris Haley
As Ensemble; Wayne Wright understudy
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Noah Israel
As Wayne Wright
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Alexandria Joy
As Ensemble
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Linsey Maxson
As Mrs. June Adams
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Alan Mendez
As Davy Zlatic
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Carmiña Monserrat has long dark hair, wears a white shirt, and is posing in front of a white background.
As Dance Ensemble
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Kayden Oliver
As Dance Ensemble/Dance Captain
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Tommy Paduano
As Ensemble; Davy Zlatic understudy
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Gianni Palmarini
As Jimmy Campbell; Donny Novitski understudy
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Zachary Scott Prall
As Johnny Simpson
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Veronica Quezada
As Dance Ensemble
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Kade Bailey
As Ensemble Swing
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Ellie Barrett
As Ensemble Swing
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Liam Boyd
As Johnny Simpson understudy
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Wesley Bradstreet
As Nick Radel understudy
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Hannah Brudnock
As Ensemble Swing
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Chris Elliott
As Jimmy Campbell Understudy
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Albert Johnston
As Ensemble Swing
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The Artists

Jacqueline Brecker
As Julia Trojan
View Bio
Dallyn Brunck
As Dance Ensemble
View Bio
Jacody Bullard
As Dance Ensemble
View Bio
Hahnna Christianson
As Ensemble; Julia Trojan understudy
View Bio
Alex Crossland
As Donny Novitski
View Bio
Trisha Ditsworth
As Ensemble; Mrs. June Adams understudy
View Bio
EJ Dohring
As Ensemble
View Bio
John Elliott
As Nick Radel
View Bio
Chris Haley
As Ensemble; Wayne Wright understudy
View Bio
Noah Israel
As Wayne Wright
View Bio
Alexandria Joy
As Ensemble
View Bio
Linsey Maxson
As Mrs. June Adams
View Bio
Alan Mendez
As Davy Zlatic
View Bio
Carmiña Monserrat has long dark hair, wears a white shirt, and is posing in front of a white background.
As Dance Ensemble
View Bio
Kayden Oliver
As Dance Ensemble/Dance Captain
View Bio
Tommy Paduano
As Ensemble; Davy Zlatic understudy
View Bio
Gianni Palmarini
As Jimmy Campbell; Donny Novitski understudy
View Bio
Zachary Scott Prall
As Johnny Simpson
View Bio
Veronica Quezada
As Dance Ensemble
View Bio
Kade Bailey
As Ensemble Swing
View Bio
Ellie Barrett
As Ensemble Swing
View Bio
Liam Boyd
As Johnny Simpson understudy
View Bio
Wesley Bradstreet
As Nick Radel understudy
View Bio
Hannah Brudnock
As Ensemble Swing
View Bio
Chris Elliott
As Jimmy Campbell Understudy
View Bio
Albert Johnston
As Ensemble Swing
View Bio

The Creative Team

Director/Musical Staging Pasha Yamotahari

Assistant Director Chelsea Anderson

Choreographer Brian Lavelle

Musical Director Kevin Robert White

Scenic Designer Aaron Jackson

Lighting Designer Aaron Curry

Costume Designer Maci Hosler

Hair/Makeup Designer Chris Zizzo

 Sound Designer Dave Temby

 Properties Master Sarah Harris

Director of Production Karla Frederick

Company Manager/Associate Production Manager Tyler Welden

Stage Manager Samantha Monson*

Asst. Stage Manager Katherine Roll Lang*

* Courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the U.S.  

The Orchestra

Conductor/Keyboard 1 Kevin Robert White

Reed 1 Christina Steffen

Reed 2 Paulo Finateri

Trumpet 1 Dave Coolidge

Trumpet 2 Rod Larkins

Trombone  Bill Foy

Keys 2 Stephen Kuebelbeck

Bass TJ Maliszewski

Drums Mark Stolper

Select Mask Required Performances

Select performances have been designated "Mask Required" to ensure all audiences have an opportunity to attend a performance in an environment they are comfortable in: October 15, 2022 at 2:00pm.

ASL/Audio Describe Night

Audio Description and American Sign Language Interpretation are available for each production. ASL/Audio Describe Night is Thursday, October 13 for Bandstand.