New Musical ‘Bandstand’ Will Swing to Broadway

After a critically acclaimed world premiere engagement at Paper Mill Playhouse last fall, the new musical "Bandstand" will transfer to Broadway this spring --with an opening night set for April 26, 2017.

Starring Laura Osnes ("Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella") and Corey Cott ("Newsies"), "Bandstand" brings the smoke-filled, swing-fueled night clubs of 1945 to life with a brand new score from first-time Broadway composing and writing team of Richard Oberacker (music) and Robert Taylor (lyrics).

Oberacker and Taylor collaborate on the book for the piece, too. Its story is focused on a group of WWII veterans led by a singer/songwriter (Cott) who team with a young war widow (Osnes) to create a swing band of a national radio competition.

The show wants to illustrate how art can help people heal from tragedy and loss during tough times.

An official theater, full company, and first performance date are expected to be announced shortly.

Choreography will come from Tony winner Andy Blankenbuehler, of "Hamilton" fame. He told The New York Times his hip-hop choreography is actually rooted in swing -- music he himself used to learn to dance.

"In so many random ways, those styles of the '40s and'’50s are so similar to hip-hop -- a group of people trying to give voice to unrest," he revealed. "Even though this is a period piece, it feels like a contemporary piece of theater."