The Broadway-Bound World Premiere of Gotta Dance, based on the 2008 documentary by Dori Berinstein which tells the story of professional basketball’s first ever aged 60-and-older dance team, kicks off previews tonight at Broadway In Chicago’s Bank of America Theatre (18 W Monroe St, Chicago). Opening night is set for December 28th, and performances have been extended by one week through January 17, 2016. Produced by Dori Berinstein and Bill Damaschke, the musical is directed and choreographed by Tony winner Jerry Mitchell, and is scheduled to head to Broadway in fall 2016. Click here for tickets and more information.
The cast of GOTTA DANCE. Photo by Matthew Murphy
Photo by Matthew Murphy
‘Gotta Dance’ stars Tony® Award nominee André De Shields, Tony award-winner Lillias White (Fela!, The Life), five-time Emmy® Award nominee Georgia Engel, television and film icon Stefanie Powers (in her Broadway debut), Lori Tan Chinn (Orange is the New Black), Haven Burton and Nancy Ticotin. The cast also features Murphy Cross, Joanna Jones (NBC’s Sing Off), Madeleine Doherty (Gigi), Tracy Jai Edwards (Legally Blonde), Diane Findlay (Fish in the Dark), Lenora Nemetz (Gypsy), Jonalyn Saxer (Honeymoon in Vegas), and Kay Walbye (Urinetown), along with Alexander Aguilar, Adinah Alexander, Sydni Beaudoin, Holly Ann Butler, Paula Caselton, Ari Groover, Colby Lewis, Lance Roberts, Elise Santora, Austin Scott III, and Virginia Ann Woodruff.
Gotta Dance brings together an all-star creative team that includes a book by Tony Award- nominee Chad Beguelin (Aladdin) and Tony Award-winner Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone), music by Tony and Emmy Award nominee Matthew Sklar (Elf) and lyrics by Tony Award-nominee Nell Benjamin (Legally Blonde), with additional music by Marvin Hamlisch (an Emmy, Grammy®, Tony and Oscar® winner) and direction and choreography by Tony Award-winner Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots), with co-choreography by Nick Kenkel.
One remarkable dance team. One big chance. One small twist. You gotta be over 60. Gotta Dance is the incredible true story of ten determined dreamers who audition to dance at half time for a major NBA team. They have three things in common: they love to dance, they have something to prove, and they are all over 60. It isn’t until they make the cut that they find out they won’t be dancing tap, salsa or swing-they are going to bring down the house with a style that’s entirely new to them: hip hop. Gotta Dance is an original Broadway-bound musical about a group of ordinary seniors with extraordinary dreams as they battle prejudice, self-doubt and each other for a chance to bust a move at center court in front of 20 thousand screaming fans.
Murphy Cross, Lori Tan Chinn, Ari Groover, Lillias White, Madeline Doherty, André De Shields, Stefanie Powers, Nick Kenkel, Erich McMillan McCall, Virginia Ann Woodruff, Paula Caselton, Holly Butler at ‘On Your Feet!’ at the Marquis Theatre in New York on November 4, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang
The creative team of Gotta Dance reunites Mitchell with his Kinky Boots collaborators, including five time Tony Award nominee David Rockwell (Scenic Design), Tony Award-winner Gregg Barnes (Costume Design) and Tony Award-winner Kenneth Posner (Lighting Design), four-time Tony Award nominee Peter Hylenski (Sound Design), Tony Award-winner Larry Hochman (Orchestrations), Charlie Alterman (Musical Director), with casting by Telsey + Company/Craig Burns, CSA.
The Pre-Broadway World Premiere of Gotta Dance is part of the Broadway In Chicago Fall 2015-16 Season Subscription Series. Tickets ($42-$102) can be purchased by visiting www.BroadwayInChicago.com. Group tickets for 10 or more can be purchased by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710.
Video: Getting to Know Tony Award Winner Lillias White, Star of the Broadway-Bound World Premiere of ‘Gotta Dance’
Video: Lori Tan Chinn as Mae in the Broadway-Bound World Premiere of ‘Gotta Dance’ at Broadway In Chicago’s Bank of America Theatre Video: André De Shields Talked THE WIZ and GOTTA DANCE on News 4 NY with NBC-TV’s Janice Huff
GOTTA DANCE Star André De Shields receives 2015 Award for Excellence in the Arts from The Theatre School at DePaul University
Broadwayworld.com: Photo Flash: The Theatre School at DePaul Honors GOTTA DANCE Star Andre De Shields in Chicago
Theatermania.com: Broadway-Bound Gotta Dance Star André Robin De Shields Honored at DePaul University
Two-time Tony nominee and Emmy winner André De Shields and Broadway in Chicago President Lou Raizin to be honored at DePaul University theatre gala on Nov. 9
Full Cast Announced for GOTTA DANCE starring André De Shields, Lillias White, Georgia Engel, Stefanie Powers, Lori Tan Chinn and More
Multimedia: CONFESSIONS OF A P.I.M.P. Opening Night with André De Shields
Two-Time Tony nominee André De Shields, Tony Winner Lillias White, ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK’s Lori Tan Chinn, Stephanie Powers, Georgia Engel & More Will Lead Broadway-Bound Musical GOTTA DANCE in Chicago
Photos and Video: Behind the Scenes with THE WIZ’s André De Shields at The Wiz is 40 at #Summerstage30
Click here for more articles on André De Shields.
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Lia Chang. Photo by Garth Kravits
Lia Chang is an award-winning filmmaker, a Best Actress nominee, a photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist. Lia has appeared in the films Wolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon, Taxman and Hide and Seek. She is profiled in Examiner.com, Jade Magazine and Playbill.com.
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