This was a special Fathom two-night showing. Though no longer currently available, Bandstand will probably show up soon on Amazon Prime or something like that like Newsies did.
This was a recording, not to be confused with a film adaptation, of the Broadway musical featuring the original cast. Bandstand is about a group of recently returned WWII veterans and a war widow forming a band and entering a nation-wide contest.
This isn't a powerhouse like Wicked or Hamilton, but I wished it was more publicly known as it is pretty good. It contains well-written message about how the returning GIs were just generally expected to pick up their lives and forget the horrors of war without any support. The contest, though it doesn't sound that monumental, represents these men's emotional struggle for a little respect for what they went through. The musical isn't a downer if that's what you're wondering about. It mingles the dark underbelly with a clever, funny script. Now, I can see some people bothered that they'd treat a serious subject in a less old-fashioned, good-natured musical format. If you prefer a more direct and consistent dramatic tone like Les Miserables or Miss Saigon, this musical won't be for you. But, I personally liked that they delivered a point while not driving it home and just having fun.
Good cast, good singers. It helps that the supporting members of the band, though not nearly having enough time as the two leads, had distinctive characters and issues.
Bandstand has a pretty strong score, capturing that old 40's bandstand feel but still having all the songs feel unique. There are some really dramatic heart-tuggers here.
Overall, a very effective experience.
