Richard Oberacker, left, with Robert Taylor
Cincinnati Music Theatre recently received a joint statement from Bandstand composer and co-lyricist/librettist Richard Oberacker and co-lyricist/librettist Robert Taylor on the occasion of announcing the cast for its regional premiere production.
“We are both honored and excited to have CMT be the first theater company in the world to be granted the rights to perform Bandstand after its Broadway engagement and national tour.
“Cincinnati is the home town of Richard, as well as David Kreppel – the score’s vocal arranger – and of course the original director and choreographer of Bandstand on Broadway, Andy Blankenbuehler.
“Not only were many long-time CMT members with us in New York to celebrate opening night on Broadway, but several of the leading characters in the musical are named after dear friends who have graced the CMT stage for years.
“Bandstand celebrates the extraordinary talents of ordinary, working-class Ohioans who find camaraderie, strength and healing in making music together, something CMT has done for over 50 years. It also happens to be the company that gave a very, very young Richard Oberacker his first opportunity to perform on a stage in a musical.
“And to have this show directed by Skip Fenker, the man who gave Richard his first job as a musical director is the kind of full circle moment found only in musicals.”