Bandstand: The Broadway Musical On Screen Monday, June 25 at The Ridgefield Playhouse

The Boys Are Back! Though they played their final Broadway gig last fall, the Donny Nova Band is getting back together -- this time for the big screen. Bandstand, which won a Tony Award last year and played for 166 performances, concluded its run on Broadway in September 2017. But, you can still see a specially filmed, HD version of this Broadway show, which was recorded live at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre in Manhattan.  Don’t miss Bandstand: the Broadway Musical On Screen at The Ridgefield Playhouse on June 25 at 7pm, part of the Ridgefield Magazine Broadway & Cabaret Series and partially underwritten by Adam Broderick Salon & Spa. It’s 1945 and as America’s soldiers come home to ticker-tape parades and overjoyed families, Private First Class Donny Novitski, singer, and songwriter returns to rebuild his life with only the shirt on his back and a dream in his heart. The show is directed and choreographed by three-time Tony Award-winner Andy Blankenbuehler (Hamilton, In The Heights) and features music by Richard Oberacker with book and lyrics by Robert Taylor and Richard Oberacker. In addition to the feature production, audiences will enjoy behind-the-scenes, never-before-seen footage with cast and crew.

Set in 1945, Bandstand tells the story of musician Donny Novitski who is about to take on the mission of his life: leading his band of fellow veterans into competition for America's next swing band sensation. However, complicated relationships, the demands of the competition and the challenging after-effects of war may break these musicians. The original score is strongly influenced by authentic 1940s swing music, much of which is played onstage by the characters and band members. When Donny meets a beautiful, young singer named Julia, he finds the perfect harmony in words and music that could take this band of brothers all the way to the live radio broadcast finale in New York City. But to succeed, it will require every ounce of talent, stamina and raw nerve that these musicians possess.

For tickets ($18) call or visit the box office, 203-438-5795 or go online at ridgefieldplayhouse.org.  The Ridgefield Playhouse is a non-profit performing arts center located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, Ridgefield, CT.