Despite a limited budget and only 10 days rehearsal, the AUDIENCE LOVES The Band Wagon! In a crowded theater, many gave it a standing ovation. There's a great cast and all the bright spirits, romance, and dancing of Broadway classics, coupled with several familiar hits: "That's Entertainment," "You and the Night and the Music," "Dancing in the Dark," along with "A Shine on Your Shoes," made famous by Fred Astaire. However, some serious pruning would help this show get Broadway backing. In Act One, Scenes 1, 2, 3, and "By Myself" need shortening, and scenes with "New Sun" could be collapsed into one. But, don't touch "A Rainy Day." In Act Two, viewers liked the liveliness of "Triplets" and "Louisiana Hayride," although it's not clear how these pieces fit into the plot. While "Something to Remember You By" could be omitted , the beautiful "Something You Never Had Before" is essential. And, finally, scenes 2, 4, 5, and 6 closed the show with an energetic blast.

The potential for BANDWAGON to reach Broadway, sadly, appears dim. The Hollywood musical remains one of the two or three best ever made, and this stage attempt suffers from a bad script and a lack of direction as to where and why everything is going. The Encore's showing indicated some possibilities, but the show opened badly with a quick and muddled introduction of two of the main characters. There is no denying that the cast could work wonders if the script was rewritten again...but I have doubts. The opening of the film with A Shine On My Shoes was sheer brilliant, and the Fabray-Levant byplay was screenwriting at its best. All characters were clearly developed, but none are here in the current attempt. I hope that something can be done, because those great songs deserve a panorama of excellence to surround them.