TAKE THE LEAD musical in development

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 2/13/24 at 10:36am

TAKE THE LEAD Musical Gets Developmental Workshop (broadwayworld.com)

The project is being produced by Diane Nabatoff & Eva Price Directed by Christopher Gattelli, with choreography by Christopher Gattelli, Maria Torres, Jennifer Weber, book by Robert Cary and Jonathan Tolins, and music and lyrics by Elliah Heifitz & Zeniba Now.

Take the Lead was a 2006 American drama dance film directed by Liz Friedlander and starring Antonio Banderas as dance instructor Pierre Dulaine, the founder of Dancing Classrooms. It also stars Alfre Woodard, John Ortiz, Rob Brown, Yaya DaCosta, Dante Basco, Elijah Kelley, and Jenna Dewan. 

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 3/25/24 at 10:09am

TAKE THE LEAD World Premiere & More Set for Paper Mill Playhouse 2024-25 Season (broadwayworld.com)

Take the Lead

March 29–April 27, 2025

Book by Robert Cary & Jonathan Tolins
Music & Lyrics by Elliah Heifetz & Zeniba Now
Based on the New Line Cinema film written by Dianne Houston, by special arrangement with Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures
Co-choreographed by Jennifer Weber & Maria Torres
Directed & Choreographed by Christopher Gattelli
Music Production by !llmind

Set in the pulsating heart of New York City, Take the Lead is a joyful new musical based on the 2006 dance film that starred Antonio Banderas. This electrifying tale is the true story of Pierre Dulaine, a former professional dancer who, against all odds, brought the art of ballroom dance into New York City public schools. This world-premiere musical spotlights a dynamic fusion of ballroom and hip-hop in its music and choreography with a book by Robert Cary and Jonathan Tolins (Schmigadoon!) a score by Elliah Heifetz and Zeniba Now, with music production by !llmind.. Take the Lead will be co-choreographed by Jennifer Weber (& Juliet) and Maria Torres (So You Think You Can Dance) and directed and choreographed by Christopher Gattelli (Newsies).

[quizking101]

Posted: 3/25/24 at 11:14am

I know someone involved in production who workshopped it and he told me the choreography is INSANE.

I’m a simp for great choreography and I’ve loved Webber and Gatelli so I’m excited for this.

[akhoya87]

Posted: 3/25/24 at 12:28pm

I was just saying to a friend that the theatre is ready for a good ballroom-dance-inspired musical.  Take the Lead is a great choice -- looking forward to this.  I wonder if they'll bring in folks with experience in choreographing ballroom dancing -- or even cast ballroom dancers.  

This is an incredibly niche pet peeve, but I've seen several shows where the characters are supposed to be dancing some ballroom dance (usually a waltz, tango, or Viennese waltz), and their technique is Broadway good, ballroom bad.  Maybe 80% of theatre-goers won't notice, but I do think it hurts the quality of the presentation/show.  I'm guessing that's why Burn the Floor (which isn't theatre theatre, I know) brought in the casts of Strictly Come Dancing/Dancing With the Stars...

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 5/30/24 at 9:18am

FIRST IN THE BRIEFING: 
Take the Lead will have a private reading today with a cast featuring Adrienne Bailon-Houghton, Ivan Hernandez, Vincent Jamal Hooper, and Savy Jackson, along with Giuseppe Bausilio, Brandon Borkowsky, Nella Cole, Stephanie Gomerez, Kenneth Goubran, Ellen Harvey, Kevyn Morrow, Natalia Nieves, Kevin Perdido, Matthew Risch, Rashidra Scott, Grace Slear, Salome Smith, and Darien Van Rensalier. The musical features a book by Robert Cary and Jonathan Tolins, based on the New Line Cinema film written by Dianne Houston, by special arrangement with Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures, and a score by Elliah Heifetz and Zeniba Now, with music production by !llmind. Take the Lead will be co-choreographed byJennifer Weber and Maria Torres, and directed and choreographed by Christopher Gattelli. 

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 1/28/25 at 9:08am

BROADWAY NEWS EXCLUSIVE: “Cast set for Broadway-aimed ‘Take the Lead’ musical at Paper Mill Playhouse” by Broadway News’ Michael Abourizk - “The cast will be led by TamMutu as Pierre Dulaine, Adrienne Bailon-Houghton as Arianna, Vincent Jamal Hooper as Rock, Savy Jackson as La Rhette and MatthewRisch as Alan. Rounding out the company will be Eric Ascione, Megan Elyse Fulmer, Gaelen Gilliland, David Jennings, Dillon Lehman, Natalia Nieves, Justin O’Brien, Kevin Trinio Perdido, Ryan Raffloer, Deon Releford-Lee, Cristian Rodriguez, Kiki Rodriguez, Jonalyn Saxer, Tatiana Seliverstova, SeQuoiia, Grace Slear, Salome Smith, Stephani Sosa, Christian Whan and Zoë Zimmerman. Casting is by the Telsey Office.

Also newly announced is the creative team for “Take the Lead,” which will include scenic designer Paul Tate DePoo III, costume designer Jen Caprio, Tony-winning lighting designer JustinTownsend and lighting designer Nick Solyum, Tony-nominated sound designer Walter Trarbachand hair, wig and makeup designer Earon ChewNealey. Bill Sherman will serve as music supervisor and Geoffrey Ko will be music director; the pair will also jointly provide orchestrations and arrangements. Molly Meg Legal will serve as production stage manager.”