Never Gonna Dance Last Night

[eandan]

Posted: 2/5/04 at 5:25pm

I saw Never Gonna Dance last night and it was wonderful!
The dancing and singing were all A+, Noah Racey and Nancy Lemenager did a great job! I can't belive they are going to close this wonderful show.

If you didn't see Never Gonna Dance, GO NOW!

[Elphie]

Posted: 2/5/04 at 5:42pm

Thats the first time I heard the singing score an A+.
Good for you- I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[Broadwaylady]

Posted: 2/8/04 at 3:36pm

I saw Never Gonna Dance Saturday. The Never Gonna Dance duo of Noah Racey and Nancy Lemenager can't match Fred and Ginger's verve. To me, everyone in Never Gonna Dance tries to hard to please that it is a pity to report that it is second rate.

It is a stage show derived from the 1936 Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers screen classic "Swing Time". This may satisfy some customers desperately hungry for old-fashioned song and dance confections.

This show with 16 sweet tunes offers up a pleasantly non-sensical romance between a happy go lucky hoofer and a pert dance teacher. On a bet, vaudeville entertainer Luck (Noah Racey) passes himself off as an ameateur to team up with Penny (Nancy Lemenager) for a dance contest. Lucky has an unlikely finacee, and Penny is half-heartedly involved with a Latin lover but it is obvious that the dancers are fated to be mated. What also was obvious to me was Nancy Lemenager had no stage presence and there seemed to be no chemistry between her and Noah Racey.

Fortunately, several featured players prove good-humored company. Karen Ziemba as Penny's wisecracking best chum, is fun to have around, dancing her way with zest and grace through several lesser numbers. Peter Gerety bumbles about adorably as a bum who cleans up in more ways than one. David Pittu as a very funny temperamental Latin crooner, Peter Bartlett as a fuss-budget and Deidre Goodwin as a charmer from Harlem are terrific.

Never Gonna Dance isn't a bad show. It certainly holds together a piece of easy going entertainment but it is only pretty good to mediocre in quality.

I did like the costumes, set designs and music.

Updated On: 2/8/04 at 03:36 PM

[LadyGuenevere]

Posted: 2/8/04 at 4:36pm

*agrees wholeheartedly with broadwaylady*

My favorite was Karen Ziemba (who I mainly saw it for!), but as for the singing...couldn't give it an A+ because some of the actors couldn't be heard over the orchestra, so I'd just look at the dancing and I wouldn't know what they were saying.

I loved the set- very cute! Some of the scenes dragged a little...but I enjoyed the show, and although it's a pity that it's closing, I see why it is. It's not bad, but nothing extraordinary to offer to Broadway.

~L

[Hank]

Posted: 2/8/04 at 5:12pm

I enjoyed this show very much, and I'm sad that a lot of you didn't like it as much, and that it's closing so soon.

I have Never Gonna Dance as my screen saver. Guess now I'll have find a new one. Do any other Broadway shows have screen savers? I'd especially love a Millie one.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/8/04 at 5:33pm

"Do any other Broadway shows have screen savers? I'd especially love a Millie one."

I know of one for Rent and one for Aida (siteforrent.com and disneyonbroadway.com). I don't know about Millie, but check the Millie site.

[Sheri]

Posted: 2/8/04 at 5:48pm

I was really looking forward to seeing this show, but my tickets were sadly for the 16th - the day after they close.

[Broadwaylady]

Posted: 2/8/04 at 6:31pm

Can't you get your money back and try to see it the day before? I don't know if you live in or near the city so it may not be possible. Just a thought......

[BroadwayKate]

Posted: 2/8/04 at 7:54pm

Is anyone else going to be there for the final performance?

[Qfan]

Posted: 2/8/04 at 8:02pm

i wish i was

[Sheri]

Posted: 2/8/04 at 9:27pm

I ended up getting a refund since I had show plans for the other nights I'll be in town. Unfortunately I live very far away (in Hawaii) so it doesn't look like an option for me. Thanks for the suggestion, though Broadwaylady - I wish I'd planned my trip a little looser so I could switch my tickets.

[Corine2]

Posted: 2/8/04 at 9:35pm

You are very kind. I really disliked the show except for Deidre.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 2/8/04 at 10:27pm

Wow, those are strong words coming from someone who will be the theater critic for a new magazine! I'm sure the Broadway community will quake when negative reviews flow from the pen of Corine Dana Cohen.

What's the name of this new magazine?

[Wicked_Elphie]

Posted: 2/8/04 at 11:37pm

I'm seeing it in a couple days but from what I've heard the dancing is good but it can't compare to Fred and Ginger. And I also heard that the singing in the show def doesn't deserve any praise, but I'm happy for those of you that enjoyed it....I hope I do!

[Broadwaylady]

Posted: 2/9/04 at 10:25am

You will love the dancing of Noah Racey, I am sure. Karen Ziemba has wonderful stage presence. The supporting cast is very good. It just did'nt click with me somehow but my friends loved it.

[Corine2]

Posted: 2/9/04 at 10:31am

Karen was excellent but it did not click for me either.
I really think it had potential to be a great show.
I loved the costumes, Deidre and Karen.