Gotta Dance!
Broadway and Hollywood’s most iconic dance numbers are fantastically recreated in this return engagement.
RJ Higton and Deanna Doyle perform “Broadway Melody” from “Singin’ in the Rain,” a scene from “Gotta Dance!” at Stage 42 (Photo credit: Christopher Duggan)
As the rich, red curtain flies out on the Stage 42 proscenium, Gotta Dance!, a collection of historic dance numbers from stage and screen, commences with a splash of fluorescent signage and a blast of music.
The show dives right in with “Broadway Rhythm” from Singin’ in the Rain, segueing into “Broadway Melody,” with Deanna Doyle and RJ Higton admirably recreating the Cyd Charisse and Gene Kelly dance, complete with hat and (smokeless) cigarette. Jessica Lee Goldyn, a-sparkle in green sequins, follows with a dazzling “City Lights” from Ron Lewis’ The Act, and the company provides an exciting complement of pastel suits and hats, lifts and spirals, and kick lines.
Libby Lloyd and company performing Susan Stroman’s “The Contact Suite,” a scene from “Gotta Dance!” at Stage 42 (Photo credit: Christopher Duggan)
RJ Higton returns as Tulsa in a deft soft-shoe of “All I Need Is the Girl” from Gypsy to choreography by Jerome Robbins, restaged by Robert LaFosse, with Deanna Doyle as a wistfully longing, tender Louise. The entire cast then performs a sexy collage of dances, “The Contact Suite” from Susan Stoman’s Contact.
Anthony Cannarella and Blake Zelesnikar kick off Randy Skinner’s Smokey Joe’s Cafe with a strong, spirited “Love Potion #9,” followed by the highly energetic Jessica Lee Goldyn and Brandon Burks, both spinning and vibrating delightfully with “Teach Me How to Shimmy,” with choreography by Joey McKneely. Fringe never looked so good!
Keely Beirne, Ahmad Simmons and Samantha Siegel perform “Glory Part I” (Manson Trio) from Bob Fosse’s “Pippin,” a scene from “Gotta Dance!” at Stage 42 (Photo credit: Christopher Duggan)
Brandon Burks returns immediately with RJ Higton, launching the first tap number of the show, providing a vigorous, fluid, and articulate “Tongue Twisters” aka “Moses Supposes” from Singin’ in the Rain (choreography by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen.)
Ahmad Simmons, Keely Beirne, and Samantha Siegel create a terrific Manson Trio from “Glory Part I” in Pippin, expertly executing Bob Fosse’s famous isolations with soft-shoe, hats, and canes. Drew Minard and the entire company finish Act I with a spectacular “Cool” from West Side Story, where Robbins’ graceful and balletic choreography is powerfully and explosively recreated.
The Company of “Gotta Dance!” performs “Cool” from Jerome Robbins’ “West Side Story” at Stage 42 (Photo credit: Christopehr Duggan)
Act II begins with a frenetic and splendid set of swing dances from the late Lynne Taylor-Corbett’s Swing!, containing many strong, impressive lifts and throws, and complex, harmonic singing (lindy hop choreography by Ryan Francis). “Sweet Georgia Brown” from Billy Wilson’s Bubbling Brown Sugar follows, and the theater can barely contain the incredible Kate Louissaint and her competent cohorts Brandon Burks and Ahmad Simmons.
Kate Louissaint sings a terrific “Mr. Monotony” from Jerome Robbins’ Broadway before yielding the stage to Anthony Cannarella and Drew Minard, who, dancing as trombone and clarinet, compete for the attention of Deanna Doyle (may the sexiest instrument win); these three dancers are magnetic together. “I Love a Piano” from Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (choreography by Skinner) erupts on the stage in another tap extravaganza.
Barton Cowperthwaite and Sara Esty perform Irving Berlin’s “Mr. Monotony” from “Jerome Robbins’ Broadway,” a scene from “Gotta Dance!” at Stage 42 (Photo credit: Christopher Duggan)
Christopher Weeldon’s Pas de Deux from An American in Paris is masterfully realized, led by understudy Deanna Doyle (subbing for Sara Esty) and Barton Cowperthwaite. Following this French offering is what could be considered the pièce de résistance of the production, “The Music and the Mirror” from Michael Bennett and Bob Avian’s A Chorus Line. Jessica Lee Goldyn has already danced and sung some impressive stuff in Gotta Dance!, and yet still has more to give, shining so completely in this moving, emotional recreation of Donna McKechnie’s career-defining dance. Cassie tells Zach, “It would be nice to be a star…but I’m not, I’m a dancer.” Cassie might not be a star, but Goldyn has star quality; her vocals and moves are superlative, and every imploring, piercing gaze to the house is irrefutably delivered to Zach, the director we never see, making each move even more powerful.
The costume design by Marlene Olson Hamm is exemplary, weaving stylish themes into the various numbers with eye-catching variations. The projection design by Brian C. Staton is fantastic, presenting colorful panoramas as well as informational placards to set up the scenes, all well-coordinated with excellent lighting design by Ken Billington and Anthony Pearson. The direction by Nikki Feirt Atkins and Randy Skinner is superlatively joined with numerous choreographers under the assistance of Andrew Winans and Cathy Lubash Fogelman, maximizing presentation and visual impact.
Sara Esty and Barton Cowperthwaite perform Christopher Wheeldon’s “Pas de Deux” from “An American in Paris,” a scene from “Gotta Dance!” at Stage 42 (Photo credit: Christopher Duggan)
It must be mentioned that this excellent cast has an incredible charge put before it, to recreate some of the most legendary dances from Broadway and Hollywood, all of which were performed by some very famous actors and dancers. It is no small feat to channel these original works and make them their own, a task they take on with relish and at which they completely succeed. The cast seems to dance without effort and to sing without being winded.
By the time the company performs its last number, “One” from A Chorus Line, the audience is completely enamored with every performer, and as they each tip their hat the cheers of love are unmistakable. The entire production makes for an excellent primer on the history of dance in both stage and film. It is fantastically executed and is not to be missed.
Gotta Dance! (through June 14, 2026)
Stage 42, 422 W. 42nd Street, in Manhattan
For tickets visit http://www.gottadanceshow.com/
Running time: 100 minutes including one intermission
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