Bandstand
by Richard Oberacker, Robert Taylor

Approximately twenty-four years old, ruggedly handsome with his Italian and Polish heritage. A piano (and accordion) prodigy, he is passionate about swing music and writing his own songs. While clearly shining with that elusive star quality, he carries the dark weight of wartime experiences. Baritone/Tenor, B-flat 2 to B-flat 4.

Approximately twenty-four years old, beautiful in a wholesome and effortless way. A gifted singer, but one without the drive to be a star. Her talents are personal to her and not showy, a means of expression and discovery. She is smart, honest, and no one’s fool. Her star quality is born of her natural ability to simply tell the truth when singing; she is emotionally translucent on a stage. Soprano with strong belt, G3 to F-sharp 5.

Mid-forties to mid-fifties, she is Julia’s mother and a woman of very modest means. She has a nervous anxiety most of the time and a desire to please that belies a personal history filled with disappointment and loss. Out of this energy comes her very quirky sense of comedy. But her grounded honesty is never far away when it comes to Julia’s happiness. Alto, G3 to B4.

Late twenties to late thirties, he is a gifted jazz trombone player and a veteran Marine Lieutenant. Wayne manifests his war experiences in a severe case of obsessive compulsive disorder. He carries enormous tension in his body and mind and maintains an aloofness that hides his emotional turmoil. He is a man that can be very intimidating in his silence. High Baritone, C3 to B-flat 4.

Late twenties to mid-thirties, he is a gifted jazz reed player, predominantly saxophone and clarinet. Jimmy is very bookish, thin, and well put together. He is wisely studying law, having just returned from the Navy. He has a careful and guarded personality but is fiercely loyal to Donny and the band. While the text never gives him away, Jimmy is privately gay and committed to fighting injustices in whatever ways he can. Baritone, C3 to G-sharp 4.

Mid-twenties to late thirties, he is a drumming phenomenon. A returning Army Private, he suffers from severe back pain due to an injury requiring three surgeries. He is therefore reliant on pain medication, which affects his mental clarity. He also shows signs of traumatic head injury with memory loss. But mostly this all combines to give Johnny an almost childlike and gentle personality. He is by no means stupid – he has very honest insight – but he carries a charming simplicity that is in contrast to his sharp and impressive musical skills. High Baritone, B2 to G-sharp 4.

Late twenties to early forties, he is a wiz on the upright bass. A recent Army veteran who served in the European theater and liberated Dachau, Davy is modeled heavily on Shakespeare’s lovable Falstaff. A big man of big appetites, he drinks to no end and maintains a constant stream of silly jokes to entertain. He is an incredible talent and a loyal friend, playing the clown but in reality the protector. Baritone, B2 to F-sharp 4.

Late twenties to early forties, he is a genius trumpet player. A recent veteran of the Army who spent the last months of the European battles in a German prisoner-of-war camp, Nick is a man desperate for career and personal security. He is outrageously confident in his gifts as a musician and always on the lookout for those who would shortchange him of his deserved credit and compensation. Everything seems to be a personal affront to him and he has not yet been able to stop fighting for his life every day since returning to the home front. He prides himself on his ability to play exceptionally high notes on his trumpet and sometimes has a hard time being a team player. Baritone, B2 to F4.

Mid-thirties to late fifties, a glamorous local radio personality. Jean Ann prides herself on being the voice of several of WTAM Radio’s most popular programs. She believes herself to be more worldly and sophisticated than she likely is, but her outsized persona is matched by a sentimental and dramatic heart. A voice that recalls early Judy Garland and Kate Smith, she is a warm alto.

Mid-forties to early sixties, a magnanimous owner of one of Cleveland’s most popular nightclubs. The club that bears his name may not be the fanciest in town, but it is respected for its music scene. Oliver treats his guests like family and enjoys the spotlight whenever possible. Ensemble vocal track.

Mid-forties to early sixties, an elegant and gracious owner of the most prestigious supper club in Cleveland, The Pavilion. He is suave and attentive to his guests but carries the confidence of the upper classes of Midwestern society. Ensemble vocal track.

Late twenties to early fifties, a forthright owner of the hole-in-the- wall jazz club The Blue Wisp. Jo is a woman in a man’s game and has incredible confidence. She’s possibly pretty masculine herself and doesn’t care who knows it. She’s proud of her little club and loyal to her musicians and her decidedly blue-collar clientele. Ensemble vocal track.

Mid-forties to mid-fifties, the real-life radio host and personality of several popular radio programs on NBC Radio in New York City. Andre is debonair and sincere with a classic radio voice that has the trained Mid-Atlantic accent of the time. Ensemble vocal track.

Late twenties to early fifties, a corporate businessman in the much larger entertainment machine of the National Broadcasting Company. Roger is officious, efficient, and very good at his job. While he enjoys show business and is comfortable and confident in its rarified world, he has no patience for conflict. Ensemble vocal track.

Early thirties to early fifties, a successful director of radio programs at NBC Radio in New York City. He has the slickness of a New York show business professional with all the attendant charm and smarts. He always appears genuine and gracious when dealing with the “talent,” but is all business behind the scenes. Ensemble vocal track.

A woman of indiscriminate age, a no-nonsense New Yorker in the heart of the professional radio entertainment capital of the world. Ensemble vocal track.

Late teens, an excitable bobby-soxer fan of the Donny Nova Band. She is all smiles and enthusiasm when meeting her favorite band. Her comic sense comes out of her blithe honesty and unabashed love of the music. Ensemble vocal track.

Includes various SERVICEMEN, CLUB PATRONS, SWING DANCERS, WAIT STAFF, RADIO STAFF, STAGEHANDS, JAZZ MUSICIANS, CLEVELANDERS and NEW YORKERS.