Bold statement first: Gotta Dance! is staging an Off-Broadway revival, proving that musical theatre dance history still has new life to offer, right now. And this is where it gets especially intriguing: the show is extending its footprint from a limited engagement to a fresh run at Stage 42, with ensemble energy and live music driving the experience.
A quick, clear overview: Gotta Dance! is a Broadway- and film-focused dance revue that honors the choreographers who helped shape both stage and screen. The current Off-Broadway engagement picks up where the prior Theatre at St. Jean’s run left off, now presented by York Theatre Company and set to begin performances on March 20, with opening night scheduled for March 31.
What you’ll see on stage: the production celebrates musical theatre dance through numbers reconstructed from iconic titles such as West Side Story, White Christmas, Singin’ in the Rain, and more. In this revival, music arrangements are by Eugene Gwozdz, who will also conduct a live orchestra, enriching the show’s nostalgic yet vibrant atmosphere.
The cast and creative team: the upcoming run will feature a robust dance company including Keely Beirne, Brandon Burks, Anthony Cannarella, Barton Cowperthwaite, Deanna Doyle, Sara Esty, Jessica Lee Goldyn, RJ Higton, Kate Louissaint, Libby Lloyd, Drew Minard, Cole Newburg, Melody Rose, Samantha Siegel, Ahmad Simmons, Landon Winslow, and Blake Zelesnikar. Casting is led by ARC’s Mark Brandon and Matt MacDonald. For the earlier run, casting was handled by The Casting Collaborative’s Jason Styres.
Designs and production roles: scenic design is by Noah Glaister; costume design by Marlene Olson Hamm; lighting design by Ken Billington (noted from Chicago) and Anthony Pearson (The Crucible tie-in); projection design by Brian C. Staton (Becoming Dr. Ruth); and sound design by Peter Brucker. The show’s creative leadership also includes Andrew Winans as associate director-choreographer, with Cathy Lubash Fogelman serving as associate choreographer. Production support comes from Drew Neal as production stage manager.
Industry and governance details: Riki Kane Larimer is producing, with Joel Grossman serving as executive producer. Catalyst Theatricals’ Laura Janik is acting as general manager, ensuring the broader production and fundraising pieces align with the stage work.
For more information and updates, you can visit GottaDanceShow.com.
Why this matters: this revival isn’t just a rerun—it’s a broader celebration of dance history in musical theatre, rebuilt for contemporary audiences with a live orchestra and a refreshed artistic frame. It invites both long-time fans and curious newcomers to reconsider how dance moves from classic shows continue to influence modern performance. If you have thoughts on whether a revival should faithfully reproduce original dance moments or reimagine them for today’s stage, share your stance in the comments. Do you value pristine restoration of choreography, or do you prefer inventive reinterpretations that reflect current sensibilities? Would you like this rewrite to emphasize more behind-the-scenes insights about casting and design, or to focus more on the historical context of the referenced productions?
