Posted: 6/24/17 at 4:19pm
The GMA performance was a lot of fun too. It seems like a show you have to at least see a little bit of to get into, since there seems to be such a heavy dance element.
Posted: 6/24/17 at 5:35pm
Posted: 6/25/17 at 10:15am
Terrific sounding album. Like a wall of sound being thrown at you.
As a mediocre high school trumpet player, those guys walking around the stage in character while playing their instruments - just insane.
Posted: 6/25/17 at 8:55pm
Thanks for sharing those two videos, loved them.
Posted: 6/25/17 at 11:29pm
"The guy playing the trumpet on the cover art is not in the show, which I think is very disrespectful to the actual actor. How hard is it to get a quick picture of the guy in costume?"
You're mistaken. The "guy playing trumpet on the cover art" is the actor who originated the role, who was forced by circumstances beyond his control to leave the show before it opened. He will be returning to the show soon.
The guy who is in the show now stepped in at the last minute and has done a fine job of it. If you watch the number they did on the Tonys, you will see two trumpet players. One is the original actor (who is portrayed on the cd cover) and the other is the guy filling in for him.
Posted: 6/26/17 at 7:39pm
The more I see of "Bandstand", the more I kick myself for not seeing it yet. I've already ordered the OBC; but Laura Osnes and Corey Cott are really working their tushies off. The ensemble is great too. Thanks for the vids in here. It looks like they were having a ball on GMA. We're going get there soon!
Posted: 6/26/17 at 10:12pm
Realistically, almost all sales are to people who have seen the show, unless they really liked the Tony performance.
Sorry to be the bringer of bad tidings, but neither cast album nor Tony performance nor Tony award win nor word of mouth will turn this around. There is no advance sale, even when the advance is a week or less.
It's a pity that Isherwood's warm review did not appear in the Times. The new critic wandered all over the place and wound up on the fence, but leaning to the negative.
They should have given Beth Leavel a bigger role. Had her interact with the other members of the band so we learned more about them. She could have been nominated for supporting.
They need to get Kelli O'Hara to take over for Beth for a month and have Ben Brantley review the show. Kelli always gets raves from him, even if she were to play Rizzo in a Grease revival.
What are these critics good for if they can't revisit a production that is obviously outperforming its reviews and see if the original reviews may have been too harsh.
Posted: 6/26/17 at 10:43pm
I get what you're saying and I hope you're wrong. It's pretty difficult without an advance, but what they really need is non stop, consistent word of mouth. If every tourist who comes to NYC and sees it tells their friends and families, that would help this summer.
As for the reviews, I'm not sure how much they really help or hurt a show unless they are unanimously panned or loved. I think that Bandstand is unlucky in its timing, opening in a very crowded season and opening after there was buzz for everything else.
Back to the cast recording, I am shocked at how strong it is and how much I've been listening to it. Corey and Laura are unbelievable and so is the band. It seems like every time I listen, I find another song, a new gem I hadn't really heard before. Can't wait to get to the theater and see it live.
Posted: 6/26/17 at 11:11pm
OlBlueEyes said: "Realistically, almost all sales are to people who have seen the show, unless they really liked the Tony performance.
Sorry to be the bringer of bad tidings, but neither cast album nor Tony performance nor Tony award win nor word of mouth will turn this around. There is no advance sale, even when the advance is a week or less.
It's a pity that Isherwood's warm review did not appear in the Times. The new critic wandered all over the place and wound up on the fence, but leaning to the negative.
They should have given Beth Leavel a bigger role. Had her interact with the other members of the band so we learned more about them. She could have been nominated for supporting.
They need to get Kelli O'Hara to take over for Beth for a month and have Ben Brantley review the show. Kelli always gets raves from him, even if she were to play Rizzo in a Grease revival.
What are these critics good for if they can't revisit a production that is obviously outperforming its reviews and see if the original reviews may have been too harsh."
I know you're a fan, Ol Blue, but how are you so certain about the advance? Just curious about your sources.
I am obviously a fan of the show and agree with a lot of what you say. But...what is with the Kelli O'Hara stuff? Is that a joke? Beth L makes a mountain out of a small role. And that is that.
Updated On: 6/26/17 at 11:11 PM
Posted: 6/26/17 at 11:35pm
Ben and Jesse are taking a page out of Trump's playbook. If Obama liked or proposed something, Trump is against it. If Isherwood praised a show, Ben and Jesse dismissed the show.
Posted: 6/26/17 at 11:36pm
Except Jesse didn't - he generally praised the show. He liked it much more than the third stringer the Times sent.
Posted: 6/26/17 at 11:42pm
Damn, that's just a glorious piece of work. I can't shake "Welcome Home," both versions, and "This is Life." The real deal, stunning arrangements, and Osnes is just perfection here.
Posted: 6/27/17 at 1:46am
I love what I have heard so far! I just really hope that both this and Anastasia show up on either apple music or spotify soon. Anywhere else I can listen?
Updated On: 6/27/17 at 01:46 AM
Posted: 6/27/17 at 4:22am
Theaterdude: That is a great point you make about the show coming towards the end of such a busy season. And it's an unusual show for Broadway. It doesn't fit into existing slots. Hopefully the age of professional critics is approaching the end. We all bring our personal biases to shows with us, that we have received through education and life experience. One person with a particular bias should not have the power of life and death over a show. And, like you say, they really don't anymore. Bandstand actually received quite a few strong reviews.
I was also surprised at the sound put out from that album from track one. In fact the music may not sound as good in the theater after it's been amplified and distorted. But the emotion takes over in the theater. That energy going back and forth between cast and audience that adds the thrill to live theater. And that roar from the audience at the end of "Coming Home." Where did that come from. I guess the critics didn't hear it. I've seen the show twice, and that will probably be all. I saw it on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend and I thought the tie-in with the vets might have juiced the audience. So after I had listened to the album, and understood the lyrics, I went again last Sunday and the audience was louder than the first time.
ntrackbar: My source is simple. Telecharge is the official ticket seller. When I thought last Monday that I might like to see the show on the coming weekend, I entered Telecharge through their Bandstand discount link and pulled up available tickets. I was surprised and then appalled at all the seats available for the weekend shows just a few days away. Still first row mezz available. And I searched a few weeks and months ahead and didn't see anything different. But you're right that word of mouth might pick up. Ben Brantley could decide to weigh in. The cast is working so hard to put the show over.
When they saw how well Beth was doing in the previews, it's a shame that they could not expand her role. Were you complimenting her when you said that she made a mountain out of the role. I thought that you were. "Lady Parts"
The Kelli business is a joke. I'm a big fan of Kelli and so is Brantley. Every show that she is in, even ones that he does not particularly like such as Encores' Bells are Ringing, or Nice Work, or even Madison County, he still spends half the review raving about Kelli and he treats the rest of the show rather gently. So the joke is that the one sure way to get a good New York Times review is to cast Kelli.
So everyone see it while tickets are plentiful and cheap. I think the cast is trying so hard that they do an organized stage door just a short time after final curtain.
Updated On: 6/27/17 at 04:22 AM
Posted: 6/27/17 at 9:07am
Cool - thanks for replying and clarifying Ol Blue. In the end, we both want this gem of a show to succeed! :)
Posted: 6/27/17 at 10:05am
ghostlight2 said: ""The guy playing the trumpet on the cover art is not in the show, which I think is very disrespectful to the actual actor. How hard is it to get a quick picture of the guy in costume?"
You're mistaken. The "guy playing trumpet on the cover art" is the actor who originated the role, who was forced by circumstances beyond his control to leave the show before it opened. He will be returning to the show soon.
The guy who is in the show now stepped in at the last minute and has done a fine job of it. If you watch the number they did on the Tonys, you will see two trumpet players. One is the original actor (who is portrayed on the cd cover) and the other is the guy filling in for him."
Both actually appear on the album, and in photos throughout the packaging.
Posted: 6/27/17 at 11:06am
What I find interesting is, is shows opening days before the Tony nomination cut off is not a rare thing. For instance, Waitress last year opened only a week before nominations came out and a few days before the cut off. This begs the question, Bandstand had time (with previews) to have gotten more attention than it did, so is it just a marketing problem? I personally think the show got snubbed at the Tony awards, as Corey and Laura both deserved recognition, along with the show being nominated for Best New Musical.
I understand this is a crowded season, but the fact that no one has really heard of the show is puzzling. Corey and Laura are huge selling points as they have established themselves as bankable Broadway leading actors. In addition, the score is one of the best of the season and the cast recording sounds amazing. Which brings me back to, is Bandstand's poor marketing strategy to blame for their premature downfall? There are so many other factors- obviously. I'm just so disappointed and puzzled that this show is not doing better 
Posted: 6/27/17 at 11:13am
Addipia94 said: "What I find interesting is, is shows opening days before the Tony nomination cut off is not a rare thing. For instance, Waitress last year opened only a week before nominations came out and a few days before the cut off. This begs the question, Bandstand had time (with previews) to have gotten more attention than it did, so is it just a marketing problem? I personally think the show got snubbed at the Tony awards, as Corey and Laura both deserved recognition, along with the show being nominated for Best New Musical.
I understand this is a crowded season, but the fact that no one has really heard of the show is puzzling. Corey and Laura are huge selling points as they have established themselves as bankable Broadway leading actors. In addition, the score is one of the best of the season and the cast recording sounds amazing. Which brings me back to, is Bandstand's poor marketing strategy to blame for their premature downfall? There are so many other factors- obviously. I'm just so disappointed and puzzled that this show is not doing better "
I would disagree that Laura and Corey can sell a show on name alone, especially to those who don't follow Broadway or when pitted against someone like Josh Groban. I don't think it was snubbed at the Tony Awards, in a weaker season it would have gotten more nominations, it just wasn't good enough this year. The book being its weakest point.
I think Bandstand and GHD suffered the same fate. In a strong season they didn't have anything special to use as a marketing tool which would overcome what DEH, CFA, and Great Comet had going. And while I liked Bandstand, a score of big band/swing music isn't a big selling point.
Posted: 6/27/17 at 11:42am
10086Sunday said: "I would disagree that Laura and Corey can sell a show on name alone, especially to those who don't follow Broadway or when pitted against someone like Josh Groban."
Really? But Laura was Cinderella and Corey was Jack Kelly!! hahah jk, you're probably right haha as a follower of Broadway it is easy for me to be biased :P
Posted: 6/27/17 at 12:50pm
Addipia94 said: "What I find interesting is, is shows opening days before the Tony nomination cut off is not a rare thing. For instance, Waitress last year opened only a week before nominations came out and a few days before the cut off. This begs the question, Bandstand had time (with previews) to have gotten more attention than it did, so is it just a marketing problem? I personally think the show got snubbed at the Tony awards, as Corey and Laura both deserved recognition, along with the show being nominated for Best New Musical.
I understand this is a crowded season, but the fact that no one has really heard of the show is puzzling. Corey and Laura are huge selling points as they have established themselves as bankable Broadway leading actors. In addition, the score is one of the best of the season and the cast recording sounds amazing. Which brings me back to, is Bandstand's poor marketing strategy to blame for their premature downfall? There are so many other factors- obviously. I'm just so disappointed and puzzled that this show is not doing better
"
As someone who has no skin in the game here, I initially found all of Bandstand's early marketing to be just....boring? And maybe others did too. Did the cast do many appearances pre Tony awards? That Tony performance is really the only thing that got me interested in listening to the recording.
Posted: 6/27/17 at 12:51pm
Yes, Corey and Laura are pretty unknown outside of the Broadway circle, right now at least. In fact Kelli O'Hara, a major Broadway star, is basically unknown even in the New York area. If I bring up her name, as "I'm going to see Kelli O'Hara at Carnegie Hall," there is seldom any recognition right here in Broadway, USA (or its suburbs, at least).
But the cast keeps working at getting the word out. Laura tweeted that she's going to be one of the performers at the annual Capitol Fourth concert in Washington that is televised live nationally on PBS stations. They usually throw in someone from Broadway; I think Sutton Foster was the host last year.
There's a patriotic tie-in and the concert usually ends with a medley of all the service songs, so it's a perfect spot for Laura to plug the show and sing "Love Will Find Me Again." The catch is that the concert has a broad audience and they usually stick to popular songs that everyone knows. Will be interesting.
People say that the 40s music of the swing era is dead, along with almost everyone who grew up to that music. Interesting, though. A few weeks ago the CEO of Sirius Satellite radio told a group that the most opposition by far that the company had ever had to canceling a channel was when they announced that they were killing the 40s channel. They immediately reversed course. Great music will find an audience.
Maybe you know the Sirius Broadway channel, hosted by Christine Pedi morning to early afternoon, and Seth late afternoon and evening. Guests drop by and sing.
Posted: 6/27/17 at 1:02pm
OlBlueEyes said: "Laura tweeted that she's going to be one of the performers at the annual Capitol Fourth concert in Washington that is televised live nationally on PBS stations."
That will certainly be a great opportunity to advertise the show.
Posted: 6/27/17 at 7:08pm
"But the cast keeps working at getting the word out. Laura tweeted that she's going to be one of the performers at the annual Capitol Fourth concert in Washington that is televised live nationally on PBS stations. They usually throw in someone from Broadway; I think Sutton Foster was the host last year."
They gave a very good Tony performance. I know they were on GMA and did the Barnes and Noble CD signing thing last week. This TV performance may help also and if the show does close in near future, you can't say the cast did not give it their all. I personally know about 5 people who have seen the show and loved it. Everyone of these people have told others to see it when they go to NY. I am rooting for the show but realistically unless something happens the next few weeks I expect it to close right after Labor Day.
Updated On: 6/27/17 at 07:08 PM
Posted: 6/28/17 at 5:33am
'Welcome Home (Finale)' can be heard here:
http://www.broadwaybox.com/daily-scoop/exclusive-first-listen-bandstand-showstopper-welcome-home/
Edit: And the composes talk about each track on the album at http://www.playbill.com/article/a-track-by-track-look-at-the-bandstand-cast-album.
Updated On: 6/28/17 at 05:33 AM
Posted: 6/28/17 at 6:27am
I saw this last week. I agree the score is very strong but I was not as enamored with the musical as a whole:
http://poisonivywalloftext.blogspot.com/2017/06/the-divine-miss-murphy-in-hello-dolly.html
