Gotta Dance! - American Dance Machine

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 12/1/25 at 1:29pm

Didn't see a thread on this yet but caught a performance of it this past weekend and loved it!  It's a production done in association with American Dance Machine, so recreations of a lot of iconic choreography, and as someone who is on the younger side of being a theater fan, it was a total treat to see so many of these dances be brought to life in person, especially in such an intimate theater where you're so close to the action.

My friend and I mentioned how we both got strangely emotional at All I Need is the Girl, which wasn't really a song we expected that to happen at all (Jess Leprotto is also just a winning performer).  But it was wonderful to see things like Mr. Monotony (which I'd never heard of) and One (which I had somehow never seen in full).  Would definitely recommend checking out for anyone that's interested in dance! 

https://www.yorktheatre.org/gotta-dance

Updated On: 3/3/26 at 01:29 PM

[RUkiddingme]

Posted: 12/1/25 at 2:05pm

Looking forward to this.  Jess is so great - does he get any other showcases?  Thanks

[ACL2006]

Posted: 12/1/25 at 3:04pm

Considering what a let down this season is for new musicals, I wonder if there's a chance this tries to come to Broadway for a limited run in the Spring?

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 12/1/25 at 3:43pm

RUkiddingme said: "Looking forward to this. Jess is so great - does he get any other showcases? Thanks"

He's also highlighted in Broadway Melody and Moses Supposes, as well as a few ensemble bits (there's a bit of a featured singing moment in Sing Sing Sing as well, the Swing version, not the Fosse version).   

[Melissa25]

Posted: 12/1/25 at 4:33pm

Oh thank you for starting this thread and reminding me about Gotta Dance. Just purchased my tickets. I saw Randy Skinner’s Cheek to Cheek at York and just loved it. His Dames at Sea is one of my all time favorites. Just what I need.

[RUkiddingme]

Posted: 12/1/25 at 7:40pm

chrishuyen said: "RUkiddingme said: "Looking forward to this. Jess is so great - does he get any other showcases? Thanks"

He's also highlighted in Broadway Melody and Moses Supposes, ."

 

Can't wait!!!  Thanks!

 

[1 Minute Critic]

Posted: 12/4/25 at 8:51am

1 Minute Critic Review: 4/5 stars

Fifty years after A Chorus Line revolutionized Broadway, Cassie’s solo in “Music and the Mirror” still feels like watching a dancer bare her soul through movement alone. It’s the kind of theatrical magic Gotta Dance!, presented by The York Theatre and American Dance Machine, tries to bottle across more than a dozen numbers.

The weight of that challenge demands that the 14-person ensemble not only execute the movement but understand why they’re moving in the first place. Broadway vets Jessica Lee Goldyn, Afra Hines, and Jess LeProtto, along with New York City Ballet principal dancer Taylor Stanley, raise the bar, while large ensemble numbers, like “Cool” from West Side Story and “One” from A Chorus Line, reveal a schism in the level of technique and maturity among the company. 

Still, Gotta Dance! lives up to its name, featuring a seven-piece band, live vocals, and an exacting attention to detail, thanks to stagers like Baayork Lee, Stephanie Pope, and Donna McKechnie, who are passing along the legacy to the next generation of dancers. 

FULL REVIEW HERE
 

[CukorLover]

Posted: 12/4/25 at 3:05pm

Fourteen dancers make up the cast of Gotta Dance, a revue celebrating Broadway and film choreography, from the legendary to the lesser-known. They sing, they dance, and they fill the intimate Theatre at St. Jean’s with nonstop movement.

This production marks the latest incarnation of American Dance Machine for the 21st Century, which had its premiere season in 2014. What’s different now is how fully “produced” it feels, with The York Theatre also presenting in association with producer Riki Kane Larimer. Exceptional lighting by Ken Billington ('97 Chicago revival) and a vibrant 7-piece band led by music director Eugene Gwozdz also add polish to this latest version.

Still, despite the cast’s hard work, the evening leans more toward a dance concert/historical museum piece than a fully realized theatrical production. Co-directed by Nikki Feirt Atkins and Randy Skinner, the show at times lacks zest and suffers from what feels like under-rehearsed ensemble work, particularly in the group numbers where precision and style are essential.

Standout moments among the 17 numbers include Jess LeProtto singing and dancing “All I Need Is the Girl” (Gypsy); LeProtto and Brandon Burks tapping out “Moses Supposes” (Singin’ in the Rain); NYC Ballet’s Taylor Stanley slinkily leading the “Manson Trio” (Pippin); Jessica Lee Goldyn shimmying through Smokey Joe’s Café; Afra Hines singing “Mr. Monotony” before Stanley, Georgina Pazcoguin, and Barton Cowperthwaite dance the trio from Jerome Robbins’ Broadway; and Paloma Garcia-Lee with LeProtto in the sultry Cyd Charisse/Gene Kelly duet (Singin’ in the Rain).

[Melissa25]

Posted: 12/10/25 at 12:24am

Yes, Jessica Lee Goldyn shimmying through Smokey Joe’s Café was insane in a good way. You’re warned. Take a few precautionary Dramamine.  My other favorite moment was Simply Irresistible from Contact. Brandon Burks and Afra Hines are sensational in this number. And Taylor Stanley can take you hostage with just a look. Highly recommended.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 12/10/25 at 8:47am

In a weak season of new Broadway musicals, I kinda of wish this would transfer to Broadway for a limited run. Grab a small house and let this run for 3-4 months.

[Melissa25]

Posted: 12/17/25 at 7:25pm

The rest of the run is completely sold out. I hope it extends so more people get to see this.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 12/17/25 at 7:43pm

Melissa25 said: "The rest of the run is completely sold out. I hope it extends so more people get to see this."

i don't think it can. however, I still would like to see a limited Broadway run. As of now, no theaters are open for the Spring.

[Melissa25]

Posted: 3/3/26 at 2:58pm

I am so happy that Gotta Dance! is getting another run off Broadway. I saw this twice at St. Jean’s in December. I just loved it and will have to make it back again to see it with different cast members. I will miss Taylor Stanley and Afra Hines. 
They will have Wednesday and Thursday matinees.

chrishuyen - perhaps you can edit the thread title since it is now moving to Stage 42?

https://playbill.com/article/gotta-dance-will-return-off-broadway

 

 

Updated On: 3/3/26 at 02:58 PM

[ACL2006]

Posted: 3/3/26 at 4:52pm

Jess LeProtto isn't doing this, either. Who are the new cast members?

[Melissa25]

Posted: 3/3/26 at 9:52pm

ACL2006: Jess LeProtto isn't doing this, either. Who are the new cast members?

Yes, Jess LeProtto and Afra Hines will be in the Schmigadoon! ensemble. 

Here’s the cast now: 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, Blake Zelesnikar.

Bold = new.

 

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 3/3/26 at 10:35pm

Thanks for the cast comparison!  And I changed the title to be more generic so it can apply to any version of this show.  I'm SO excited it's getting another production as I had wanted to go back again but tickets were sold out by then.

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 3/4/26 at 2:16am

So this has been running for what 20 odd years that it now needs a review, or is this a new production and could have done with a new post? 

[Daisy Crumpler]

Posted: 3/17/26 at 1:21pm

Is there a set list of numbers performed or do they rotate/change pieces at different performances? Thanks in advance!

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 3/17/26 at 5:12pm

Daisy Crumpler said: "Is there a set listof numbers performed or do they rotate/change pieces at different performances? Thanks in advance!"

Assuming it's the same as at the York, it's a set list of numbers

[Melissa25]

Posted: 3/17/26 at 5:35pm

Daisy Crumpler: Is there a set list of numbers performed or do they rotate/change pieces at different performances? Thanks in advance!

Here was the set list from my York playbill. 

Musical Numbers

"Broadway Rhythm" Opening

Arranged and Choreographed by Randy Skinner

JESS LEPROTTO and COMPANY

 

"Broadway Melody" Duet from Singin' in the Rain-1952

Music: George Gershwin Lyrics: Ira Gershwin Choreographed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen

Green Dress costume: David C. Woolard

Stager: Lars Rosager

PALOMA GARCIA-LEE, JESS LEPROTTO, BRANDON BURKS, ANTHONY CANNARELLA, BLAKE ZELESNIKAR

 

"I'm a Brass Band" from Sweet Charity- 1966

Music: Cy Coleman Lyrics: Dorothy Fields

Choreographed by Bob Fosse

Stager: Stephanie Pope

JESSICA LEE GOLDYN and MEN

 

"All I Need Is the Girl" from Gypsy- 1959

Music: Jule Styne Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim

Choreographed by Jerome Robbins

Stager: Robert La Fosse

JESS LEPROTTO and DEANNA DOYLE

 

"Simply Irresistible" from Contact-2000

Music and Lyrics: Robert Palmer

Choreographed by Susan Stroman

Yellow Dress costume: William Ivey Long

Stager: Tome' Cousin

AFRA HINES, BARTON COWPERTHWAITE, DREW MINARD and COMPANY

 

"Love Potion #9" from Smokey Joe's Cafe- 1995

Music: Mike Stoller Lyrics: Jerry Lieber

Choreographed by Randy Skinner

ANTHONY CANNARELLA, BLAKE ZELESNIKAR

 

"Teach Me How to Shimmy" from Smokey Joe's Cafe- 1995

Music: Mike Stoller Lyrics: Jerry Lieber

Choreographed by Joey McNeely

Stager: Kelly Gleason

JESSICA LEE GOLDYN*, BRANDON BURKS, ANTHONY CANNARELLA, BLAKE ZELESNIKAR

*PALOMA GARCIA LEE at Saturday matinee performances

 

"Moses Supposes" aka "Tongue Twisters" from Singin' in the Rain- 1952

Music: Herb Nacio Brown

Lyrics by Arthur Freed

Choreographed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen

Stager: Caleb Teicher

BRANDON BURKS and JESS LEPROTTO

 

"Manson Trio" from Pippin-1972

Music and Lyrics: Stephen Schwartz

Choreographed by Bob Fosse

Stager: Pamela Sousa

TAYLOR STANLEY, AFRA HINES, GEORGINA PAZCOGUIN

 

"Cool" from West Side Story- 1957

Music: Leonard Bernstein

Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim

Choreographed by Jerome Robbins

Stager: Robert La Fosse

DREW MINARD and COMPANY

 

INTERMISSION

 

"Sing, Sing, Sing" from Swing! - 1999

Music and Lyrics: Louis Prima

Choreographed by Lynne Taylor-Corbett

Stager: Brian Lawton

SAMANTHA SIEGEL, ANTHONY CANNARELLA and COMPANY

 

"Sweet Georgia Brown" from Bubbling Brown Sugar-1976

Music: Ben Bernie and Maceo Pinkard

Choreographed by Billy Wilson

Stager: Alexis Wilson

KENDALL LESHANTI, BRANDON BURKS, TAYLOR STANLEY

 

"Mr. Monotony" from Jerome Robbins' Broadway- 1989

Music and Lyrics: Irving Berlin

Choreographed by Jerome Robbins

Stager: Robert La Fosse

AFRA HINES, GEORGINA PAZCOGUIN, BARTON COWPERTHWAITE, TAYLOR STANLEY

 

"I Love a Piano" from Irving Berlin's White Christmas -2008

Music and Lyrics: Irving Berlin

Choreographed by Randy Skinner

Stager: Sean Quinn

DEANNA DOYLE, BRANDON BURKS, AFRA HINES, JESS LEPROTTO, SAMANTHA SIEGEL, DREW MINARD

 

"An American in Paris" Pas de Deux from An American in Paris-2015

Music: George Gershwin Lyrics: Ira Gershwin

Choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon

Stager: Dustin Layton

GEORGINA PAZCOGUIN and BARTON COWPERTHWAITE

 

"The Music and the Mirror" from A Chorus Line- 1975

Music: Marvin Hamlisch Lyrics: Edward Kleban

Choreographed by Michael Bennett and Bob Avian

Stager: Donna McKechnie

JESSICA LEE GOLDYN and BLAKE ZELESNIKAR

 

"One" from A Chorus Line-1975

Music: Marvin Hamlisch Lyrics: Edward Kleban

Choreographed by Michael Bennett and Bob Avian

Stager: Baayork Lee

THE COMPANY

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 3/17/26 at 8:03pm

rosscoe(au) said: "So this has been running for what 20 odd years that it now needs a review, or is this a new production and could have done with a new post?"

It is a new production that debuted at the York Theatre last fall and is now moving to a commercial production at Stage 42.

The choreography and songs, of course, are not new.

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 3/23/26 at 12:47am

Missed this at the York.   Will it work well at Stage 42?

[ACL2006]

Posted: 3/23/26 at 9:38am

CoffeeBreak said: "Missed this at the York. Will it work well at Stage 42?"

The cast at the York was better. No Jess LeProtto 😢. Still might try and see this.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 3/23/26 at 1:13pm

I know that half of the cast are new, but they also added swings considering it's running through July. Anyone know who the swings are?

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 3/23/26 at 11:02pm

CoffeeBreak said: "Missed this at the York. Will it work well at Stage 42?"

I think the stage at the York is also smaller, though it never felt cramped to me, but maybe it'll have some more breathing room at Stage 42.  I agree the cast is the big question mark.  Jess Leprotto and Taylor Stanley were two standouts so we'll have to see if their replacements can capture the same magic they did.