Laura Osnes, Jarrod Spector Participate in Reading for Hot New Musical BANDSTAND

According to The New York Post's Michael Riedel, Laura Osnes, Jarrod Spector and Beth Leavel participated this week in a reading of a hot new musical called BANDSTAND.Initial reaction to the project appears to be strong and according to Riedel, had "backers who were in attendance opening their checkbooks."

The story follows a young soldier who recently returned to his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio following World War II. Clearly affected from his war experience, he is forced to play the piano and the accordian at local events in order to earn a living. Like most down and out characters, he dreams of a better life.

His hopes brighten upon hearing of a song competition sponsored by Bayer aspirin and NBC that is seeking a new patriotic song to welcome home the troops from war. The winner will perform their song on a live broadcast from New York City's Rockefeller Center.

According to one of Riedel's sources who attended the reading, the show is not "as rah-rah patriotic as you might think," and featured a host of plot twists and surprises. Relative unknown composers Robert Taylor and Richard Oberacker penned the original score which offers "upbeat swing music" and ballads.

Tom Smedes, Gabby Palitz and Terry Schnuck will produce. Representatives from Shuberts, Nederlanders and Jujamcyn Theaters were also in attendance for the reading, which featured Spector as the soldier turned songwriter, Osnes as his love interest and Leavel as her mother. According to the source, "All were "outstanding."

What do you think of the premise of this promising new production?

Photo Credit: Genevieve Rafter-Keddy