"This is Life" from BANDSTAND - original Studio Demo feat. Corey Cott & Laura Osnes

Corey Cott & Laura Osnes record the very first demo of "This Is Life", newly added to the musical BANDSTAND in the first days of rehearsal for Broadway. This is the original version including first draft lyrics and a slightly longer ending. The final version heard in the show can be found on the BANDSTAND Original Broadway Cast Recording from Broadway Records. Composer Richard Oberacker on piano.

[@christinaholt9179]

i'm not exaggerating when i say that corey is the most attractive man ever

[@michaelciv1]

It's a tragedy that Laura Osnes and Corey Cott are not household names. The things I would give to see this show before it closes :(

[@musical_merri]

Michaelciv1 well there definitely Household names in my home!

[@michaelahewitt-clarke3779]

One of the things I love about this song is that Corey and Laura reference shows they have been in the past Laura was in Rogers and Hamerstine’s Cinderella and Corey was in Disney’s Newsies

[@rileybrowning25]

WOAH i never realized that

[@Sunny.Maggi77]

wait... where´s the disney reference? *Edit* I didn´t watch the whole thing before originally writing this comment

[@dianasolano6854]

also in Bonnie and Clyde, Bonnie (Laura) wanted to sign with MGM and MGM is mentioned in this song

[@sarahfranklin6913]

This is probably one of the most gorgeous duets Broadway has seen in a long time, such stunning music and lyrics with the performances full of raw emotion and talent. Saw the show last month an ended up crying through most of it, it's just beautiful. Hopeful for a long run so that I can come back and see it again! Congratulations to everyone involved in creating such a beautiful show!

[@hpfan]

Two breathtaking, heartbreaking performances with just two voices and two glances. It's hard to imagine any other actors who could do what these two do so uniquely.

[@annikamarie6147]

Haha what is this water running down my face

[@aschmarkl]

I don't think anything I've seen in 60 years of theater going has affected me like this play. Going back next week for the 8th time and probably once more before its all too soon closing

[@mjewan9920]

I think I am not the only one who thinks that my sounds were muted in the first 10 seconds of the video

[@ipizzippy]

They changed the lyrics in the Broadway version of this song and I can't decide which one I like more. The words they use for both are beautiful, poetic and with so much emotion, it's impossible to choose.

[@Maria_Efe]

Absolutely gorgeous! I also love how Laura has starred in a Hammerstein musical and Corey in a Disney one. ^_^

[@deborahtragasz1218]

the "time and we'll once upon it" lyric is so clever...shame it didn't make it into the final cut

[@beeeliza.4078]

this is one of the most gorgeous songs i've ever heard oh my gosh. just the piano, and the way laura and corey's voices blend, and the lyrics just take me to this beautiful place idk how to describe it. the song itself is just so important in the characters' relationships and their lost of innocence with donny being in the war and julia losing michael because of it. this song is such an amazing way to portray how they see the world now after everything they've gone through. just ugh this is on loop and i am in heaven. everyone involved in this project did a phenomenal job.

[@jelinetang8528]

[DONNY] If we were in a MGM film We would kiss and walk through that door there If we were in a radio play We'd admit we're friends but there's more there [JULIA] If we were singing Hammerstein songs We could fix all the wrongs in rhyme But this life with the heartache it brings And we know that these things take time [DONNY] If we were in a Hemingway book We would laugh and drink 'till the morning If this were a ballet then I might Sweep you off your feet without warning [JULIA] Or film noir with a dangerous affair I would ask if you'd care to stay But this is life And I'm wondering if we should play it a different way [DONNY] Maybe perfect nights of celebration [JULIA] Hotel hallway brief flirtation [BOTH] Might be overrated Life's more complicated [DONNY] We could write our take on it [JULIA] In our rooms alone, shake on it [DONNY] Shake on it This is not a Shakespearian scene To declare my love in a sonnet It's not Walt Disney's fairytale view of a time And we're once upon it [JULIA] This is not classic opera romance Where there'd be a good chance I'd swoon No, this is life on the edge of a cliff And we're singing a different tune [BOTH] Movies show the confusion we feel Wrapped up in the last reel [JULIA] So tight [DONNY] So tight [BOTH] But this is life Not a scripted cliche So it's best that we say goodnight Copied from genius.com/amp/Richard-oberacker-this-is-life-annotated

[@CaliAli14]

I think I like this version better, I love the rewritten last verse

[@CaliAli14]

Although I prefer "leave well enough alone" over "in our rooms alone"

[@alanaharbin4271]

Ah beautiful...just absolutely stunning!!!!! The whole score is so moving & magical!! Saw the show twice at Papermill & 4 times on Broadway.....& headed back to NY next week to see it at least 3 more times. But least be honest it will probably end being 4 more times!!! Love this show so much!!!! Congrats on such amazing show!!!

[@roberacker]

Thank you so much for your kind words. May I say on behalf of my co-author Rob Taylor and the entire cast and company of the show, your support and passion for the work means the world to us.

[@HDMills-uw8vt]

Corey with a beard is amazing.

[@SkippyGustilo]

I just saw the bandstand today, cause they had a "broadway on film" showing in our local theatre. It was beautiful... this scene was so beautiful and... at the same time a piercing stabbing knife to the heart.... ohhh this gushes the feelings so dear. I love it!

[@percival2726]

2019... I never got to see this show... please bring it back. Its such a beautiful piece of art, it would be a shame for the short run that it had to be all that it left on the world of Broadway.

[@musical_merri]

Franklin O'Connor it’s going on it’s first national tour starting November 1st!!

[@emilyb1438]

@@musical_merri AND I'M SEEING IT IN NOVEMBER!!!!! Also saw it in the theater with Fathom Events.

[@musical_merri]

Emily Burner that’s so cool! I’m seeing it on the 25 in Oklahoma City! So excited

[@annikamarie6147]

OH MY GOD BANDSTAND IS COMING TO THEATERS IN JUNE IM SCREECHING

[@christaberit]

"But this is life not a scripted clique," has got to be one of the best lines ever. My heart!

[@stephpiano2908]

I love this version so much, it never fails to make me cry whenever I listen to it (which is very frequently)

[@yurushiko2721]

I wish they would start International tour.

[@swampghost835]

this might be one of the greatest love songs ever written, no exaggeration. i think my favorite moment in this is “so try,” “so try....” everything about it makes my heart ache. the way their voices compliment each other and barely overlap, corey’s small, sad smile before his line, the emotion just from their voices, gah i cant get enough of it. miss this show with all my heart

[@marynicotera3755]

I cannot tell you how many times I’ve watched this beautiful video. And every single time, it brings a tear to my eye. Corey and Laura sing this with true heartfelt emotion. Would love to see them revive “Bandstand” and take it on tour. Here’s hoping!

[@kd8338]

I wish I could have seen this show a thousand more times.

[@DaniMorganCharity]

bandstand was the first broadway show i’ve seen!! every aspect of the show took my breath away.

[@jeoffreybasarte]

Just one show in the Philippines please. 😭😭

[@climbinguphill]

I cannot express how much I love this show. This made me cry

[@kittycatpolkadot]

I love this musical so much thank you for creating it! I was wondering when the libretto will be published? My friends and i would like to use some songs for a talent show at school.

[@candelariavito9508]

They are amazing! Saw the show last week, I loved it! Such a beautiful story

[@clarineteen]

Wow I’ve never cried watching a demo before but there’s a first time for everything 😭

[@alyr228]

THEY LOOK SO HEARTBROKEN IM CRYING

[@brookekraus5895]

Such a amazing show, I truly enjoyed it, beautiful music and story, thank you for showing your art to all of us. Makes the reason I love broadway, and hopefully one day be on broadway.Thank you so much @RichardOberacker

[@typicallyvillainous1119]

Ughhhh this show was so underrated!!!!!!! I miss it so much :(

[@HDMills-uw8vt]

I had never heard of this show before I went on a choir trip to NYC and saw it. Having seen it, I cannot believe it hasn’t gotten the traction of Hamilton or Dear Evan Hansen. This was an amazing show, and it had me sobbing at Welcome Home.

[@nataliesibille1]

Mr. Oberacker is there going to be a Bandstand sheet music book released soon?

[@roberacker]

Yes. Samuel French Publishing is working on it at the moment. A release date will be announced soon.

[@allisonrhodes5032]

Richard Oberacker I'm certain that nobody will disagree when I say that the romantic/ballad version of Welcome Home should be included too :) Can't wait for the release!

[@nobbynobbs5319]

The emotions these two portrait while singing is so beautiful and heartbreaking.

[@AneresNYY]

This song gives me chills every time I hear it. So gorgeous!

[@reenasophia8227]

This musical is really sooo underrated, wish it got a longer run on Broadway :/

[@shelbypierson3727]

I just saw this musical in the movie theater and am so disappointed that I didn't get the opportunity to see it on Broadway. I hope that there is a revival or a tour or something. This is something I need to see in person :)

[@althea_1721]

Shelby Pierson There’s a tour starting this fall and I’m hoping to catch it!

[@cardshindou1399]

I am so angry that I didn’t go see bandstand in theaters.

[@morgan_lily_gray9629]

The Cott siblings are just fucking brilliant aren’t they? First Casey now Corey???!!!!

[@musical_merri]

Just saw the first preview for the national tour and it was SENSATIONAL!!! I’m absolutely in love with the story. It’s so raw and emotional.

[@GirliegirlRosie]

Mr. Oberacker, will Bandstand being doing a US tour????

[@roberacker]

The powers that be (much higher up the food chain than I..) are working on the plans for a U.S. tour. I'm looking forward to the details as much as anyone but I'm sure it will be a while before the route, dates, etc are announced.

[@GirliegirlRosie]

Richard Oberacker, thank you so much! I can't wait ❤🙌🎉

[@elledaspitzer4183]

This is stunning. Bandstand is my favorite musical and I never discovered this version till now. Breathtakingly beautiful!

[@NinjaCoto]

Is there a way to get the sheet music to This particular version? It's so beautiful

[@vickyvazz]

Wow I really just want that piano score to play please and thankyou

[@philschroeder]

Richard, I deeply admire your work. Thank you for sharing the gift of Bandstand with the world.

[@roberacker]

How kind of you. Thank you very much. I'm so glad the show is making its way to people and resonating.

[@kd8338]

:38 seconds

[@kyliegrace2363]

brb crying

[@thomasfriebe8790]

I can’t love this enough

[@lydd01]

the most beautiful song

[@mariakristinamaelister9757]

this is just so beautifulllll

[@LPnerd]

just watching clips I see what happened. the troupe is better than the leads, and the dancing is so awesome. Andy... is brillient, then they put the dancers in the dark. why???