Work Light Productions has announced the casting for the Tony Award^®-winning Broadway musical, Bandstand, which will launch its first national tour in College Station, TX on October 29-30, 2019, following two preview performances in Oklahoma City, OK on October 25-26.

Originally directed and choreographed by three-time Tony Award^® winner and Hamilton choreographer, Andy Blankenbuehler, featuring music by Richard Oberacker with book and lyrics by Robert Taylor and Richard Oberacker, this poignant and inspiring new American musical explodes with infectious music and high-octane, heart-stopping dancing.

The national tour cast will star Zack Zaromatidis as Donny Novitski and Jennifer Elizabeth Smith as Julia Trojan. They will be joined by Roxy York (Mrs. June Adams), Rob Clove (Jimmy Campbell), Benjamin Powell (Davy Zlatic), Scott Bell (Nick Radel), Louis Jannuzzi (Wayne Wright), and Jonmichael Tarleton (Johnny Simpson).

The cast also includes Shaunice Alexander, Beth Anderson, Michael Bingham, Milena J. Comeau, Ryan P. Cyr, Sarah Dearstyne, Michael Hardenberg, Andre Malcolm, Kaitlyn Mayse, Matthew Mucha, Mallory Nolting, Taylor Okey, Katie Pohlman, Oz Shoshan, and Cameron Turner.

To see the current tour route for the 2019/2020 season, click here.

It’s 1945. As America’s soldiers come home to ticker-tape parades and overjoyed families, Private First Class Donny Novitski, singer and songwriter, struggles to rebuild the life he left behind. When NBC announces a national competition to find the nation’s next great musical superstars, Donny sees a lifeline for himself and some fellow veterans that gives them the purpose they so desperately need. Together, they form a band unlike any the nation has ever seen. Along the way, they discover the power of music to face the impossible, find their voice, and finally feel like they have a place to call home.

Bandstand is “both a peppy celebration of can-do spirit and a more somber exploration of what American servicemen experienced when they marched home from World War II. It’s a great argument for why theater can sometimes tell a story more boldly and more viscerally” (The New York Times). “The show defies you not to be moved” (Time Out New York).

The award-winning Bandstand design team includes Tony Award^® nominee David Korins and associate Justin West (Scenic Design), Tony Award^® winner Paloma Young (Costume Design), Tony Award^® winner Jeff Croiter (­­Lighting Design), Tony Award^® winner Nevin Steinberg (Original Broadway Sound Design), David Thomas (Tour Sound Design), J. Jared Janas and Dave Bova (Makeup, Hair and Wig Design), Tony Award^® nominee Greg Anthony Rassen (Co-Orchestrator and Music Arranger), Tony Award^® winner and 2017 Tony Award^® nominee Bill Elliott (Co-Orchestrator), Fred Lassen (Music Supervisor), Gina Rattan (Tour Director), with choreography restaged and additional choreography by Marc Heitzman. Tour Casting by Kate Lumpkin, CSA.

Bandstand is produced by Work Light Productions and was originally produced on Broadway by Tom Smedes, Gabrielle Palitz, Terry Schnuck, Roger Horchow, Peter Stern, Michael Palitz, Jane Dubin, Tom Kirdahy, David Lyons, Sarah Perot, James L. Nederlander, James & Catherine Berges, Darren DeVerna & Jere Harris, Jeff & Ellen Adler, Nancy & Randy Best, Deep End Productions, Patty Baker, Terry D. Loftis/Scott D. Huffman, Independent Presenters Network/Charles & Lisa Siegel, Rosie Gunther McCooe/J. Scott & Sylvia G. Bechtel, Roy Putrino/Heather Shields, Diane & John Kalishman/Alison & John Ferring and The Shubert Organization in association with Paper Mill Playhouse.

Cast Biographies

Zack Zaromatidis (Donny Novitski) is honored to be telling this story. Previous roles include Jack Kelly in Newsies, Jesus in Godspell, and Stine in City of Angels. He is also the lead singer/guitarist of NYC-based band All My Sons. Thanks to the Fam, Emily, and the whole Bandstand family. @zackzaro. @allmysonsband.

Jennifer Elizabeth Smith (Julia Trojan). National Tour: Something Rotten! (Portia). Regional: SWING! (Prather Entertainment), Adam Lives (Goodspeed Opera House). B.F.A. in Musical Theater from Boston Conservatory. Endlessly grateful to mom and dad, Stephen Gabriel and the Work Light team, Gina, Fred, Kate and SW Artists! @jennsmith810.

Roxy York (Mrs. June Adams). A graduate of Boston Conservatory and a Long Island native, Roxy has been to every contiguous state in the country after performing on the national tours of Beauty and the Beast, Annie and Flashdance. “This one’s for my sissy Jane – Thank you for your service.” Instagram: @roxyyork.

Rob Clove (Jimmy Campbell) is a songwriter, actor, and musician in NYC. Rob attended UNC School of Arts and SUNY Purchase. After the release of his song “Little Black Boy” and opening for legendary rapper Nas, Rob was featured in Jazziz Magazine, and Sony-distributed album Made in Amerika.

Benjamin Powell (Davy Zlatic). Hailing from Kennett Square, PA, Benjamin Powell is making his professional debut in Bandstand. He is currently enrolled at the University of Michigan, getting a B.F.A. in jazz studies and is taking a year off to participate in this tour.

Scott Bell (Nick Radel) is a professional freelance trumpet player from San Mateo, Calif. Playing trumpet since age 6, Scott has traveled the globe performing with various groups and has opened for artists such as Boz Scaggs, George Clinton and Herbie Hancock. He recently graduated from Berklee College of Music studying trumpet performance. 

Louis Jannuzzi (Wayne Wright, u/s Donny). Actor/singer/musician from Hillsborough, NJ. Regional: The Fantasticks, Les Miz, Fiddler…, The Producers, Julius Caesar, Evita. TV: Gatorade’s “Football, Texas,” “Evil Lives Here,” NBC’s “Rise.” B.A. DeSales University. Many thanks to all involved in this production. “La mia famiglia è nel mio cuore.” LouisJannuzzi.com. @loujacuzzi.

Jonmichael Tarleton (Johnny Simpson). National Tour Debut! Off-Broadway: Freefall Frostbite (The Scholar). New York Theater: Assassins (Charles Guiteau), One Summer Morning (Joey), Music Between Us (Henry). Regional: My Way (Man 1), Ragtime (Father), Jekyll and Hyde (Gabriel John Utterson), South Pacific (The Professor), Star Spangled Girl (Andy Hobart). Instagram: @jktarleton.

Shaunice Alexander (Jean Ann Ryan, u/s Mrs. June Adams) is a native New Yorker and B.F.A. graduate of The New School. Credits include Ragtime (Sarah’s Friend), Our Town (Mrs. Soames), Little Shop of Horrors (Crystal), and From the Fire (Fanny | World Premiere). Thank you to her beautiful family for their support! Jeremiah 29:11. shaunicealexander.com.

Beth Anderson (Ensemble, u/s Jean Ann Ryan) is so excited to join the cast of Bandstand! National tours: R&H’s Cinderella and Joseph…Dreamcoat. Other favorite credits: The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Rosa Bud) and The Little Mermaid (Ariel). Thank you to the creative team, family, friends, and Colt for the love and support! @blanderson4.

Michael Bingham (Swing) is excited to make Bandstand his national tour debut! Previous theater: Camelot (Shakespeare Theater Company); 42nd Street (Fulton Theater); Bert in Mary Poppins and Ursula in The Little Mermaid (CPCC); West Side Story (Glow Lyric); Dollywood, Smoky Mountain Opry, The Lost Colony. Originally from Hawaii! Much love to the fam. B.F.A. Elon University.

Milena J. Comeau (Ensemble, u/s June Adams, u/s Jean Anne). Mass.-raised, N.Y.-based! National tour debut. Some favorite credits: Dance Supervisor of Alice By Heart, PHISH at MSG, immersive Peter Pan in Beijing, Dance Lab New York, West Side Story (Weston), Annie (Axelrod), Young Frankenstein (North Street), Albany Berkshire Ballet. Harvard grad! So grateful to so many. @melaniejcomeau.

Ryan P. Cyr (Ensemble) is ecstatic to be appearing in Bandstand! Previously: West Side Story (Int’l Tour), Whiskey and Rye (Norwegian Creative Studios), Damn Yankees and Chicago (Park Playhouse). BA Dance, Point Park University. Thanks to Broadway Method Academy and Rockwell Dance Center. Proud son of a U.S. Navy Veteran. @ryanpcyr. Ryanpcyr.com.

Sarah Dearstyne (Swing, u/s Julia). National Tour debut! She is thrilled to have Bandstand as her first professional credit. Born and raised in Rochester N.Y., Sarah graduated with a B.A. in Dance Performance from Anderson University. She also completed the Professional Semester at Broadway Dance Center. “Mom, Dad, Garrett, DS, Judy, thank you for everything.”

Michael Hardenberg (Ensemble, u/s Jimmy, Johnny). First time touring! Previous credits: A Chorus Line (Mike, Sierra Repertory Theatre), Beauty and the Beast (White Plains Performing Arts Center), 42nd Street (Broadway Palm), A Chorus Line (Mark, Heritage Theatre Festival) and Singin’ in the Rain (Wick Theatre). @michaelhardenberg. michaelhardenberg.com.

Andre Malcolm (Ensemble) is an alumnus from American Musical and Dramatic Academy where he majored in Dance Theatre. His favorite credits: Pippin National tour and Finding Neverland national tour. He’s thankful for the man above and to his loving mother. @andret.malcolm.

Kaitlyn Mayse (Ensemble, u/s Julia). National Tour: R&H’s Cinderella (Ella). Regional: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Belle), 1776 (Martha Jefferson), Oklahoma! (Ensemble/Swing). B.F.A. Indiana University. “Huge thanks to Kate, Andy, Steve, Gina, Fred, Marc, Morgan, Scott, and so many others for believing in me.” For Sharon and Edie. @kaitlynmayse.

Matthew Mucha (Andre, Ensemble). Psyched to be making his National Tour debut! Favorite credits: Memphis (CFRT), The Sound of Music (Alabama Shakespeare), Tuck Everlasting (SSTI). B.F.A. from Marymount Manhattan College. A huge thank you to ATB Talent, Denise Hartigan for their guidance. Endless love to his family, friends and Jaime. Matthewmucha.com. @matthewmucha.

Mallory Nolting (Ensemble) is thrilled to be on tour with Bandstand! Credits include: 42nd Street national tour (Phyllis, Dance Captain/Swing), Swing! the Musical (Norwegian Cruise Line), Anything Goes (Westchester Broadway Theatre), Holiday Inn (Papermill Playhouse). MMC graduate. Thanks to her family, friends, teachers and GBM for their love and support. @mallory_dana_. Mallorynolting.com.

Taylor Okey (Oliver, Ensemble, u/s Donny). National tour debut! Regional: The Bridges of Madison County (Robert), Carousel (Billy), Hair (Claude), Big Fish (Will), Altar Boyz! (Luke), Floyd Collins (H.T. Carmichael). Many thanks to mom, dad, CLA, and countless family and friends for their endless support! M.F.A. Boston Conservatory. Jeremiah 29:11. @TaylorOkey.

Katie Pohlman (Swing). National tour debut! Regional: Gypsy at The Muny, Hairspray (LouAnn), Seven Brides… (Alice), Guys and Dolls and many more at Music Theatre Wichita. Proud OKCU graduate and Omaha, Neb. native. Many thanks to her wonderful parents, siblings, and all who have supported her on this journey! @kbpohlman.

Oz Shoshan (Swing) is excited to present this beautiful story of Bandstand. National Tour: Elf the Musical. Regional: Kinky Boots (Angel), A Chorus Line (Greg), The Little Mermaid; International: Hair, West Side Story, Cabaret, Fiddler on the Roof in Israel. Oz would like to thank his family, the universe and Jorge. @ozshoshan.

Cameron Turner (Ensemble) is represented by MSA talent agency. Credits include Oklahoma! (NSMT); Evita, The Bodyguard, Mamma Mia (Eddie) at Finger Lakes MTF, and Legally Blonde (Warner U/S). Other national Tours include Elf The Musical. TV/film credits include “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” @crturner20.