Bob Fosse's 1978 dance work Dancin' is back on Broadway for its first-ever revival at the Music Box Theatre, and they're leaving their footsteps on the sands of time. Check out the special sneak preview video of the cast performing "Dancin' Man" above.
Previews for the production began March 2 ahead of a March 19 opening night. Tony winner and Dancin' original Broadway cast member Wayne Cilento is directing and providing musical staging, which re-creates Fosse's original, Tony-winning choreography.
With an eclectic songlist ranging from Neil Diamond to George M. Cohan, Dancin' includes such iconic Fosse numbers as "Crunchy Granola Suite," "Sing, Sing, Sing," "From the Edge," "Mr. Bojangles," and "I Wanna Be a Dancin' Man." Christine Colby Jacques is handling reproducing Fosse's choreography with associate direction and additional choreographic reconstruction by Corinne McFadden Herrera and assistant musical staging and additional choreographic reconstruction by Lauren Cannon. The revival also newly includes additional material by playwright and Dancin' original Broadway production cast member Kirsten Childs, who serves as text consultant for the production.
The onstage company includes Ioana Alfonso, Yeman Brown, Peter John Chursin, Dylis Croman, Tony d’Alelio, Jōvan Dansberry, Karli Dinardo, Jacob Guzman, Manuel Herrera, Kolton Krouse, Mattie Love, Yani Marin, Nando Morland, Khori Michelle Petinaud, Ida Saki, and Ron Todorowski, rounded out by understudies Aydin Eyikan, Pedro Garza, Afra Hines, Gabriel Hyman, Krystal Mackie, and Neka Zang.
“Bob achieved immortality through his work, and I consider it both the responsibility and honor of my life to steward his legacy for a new generation,” said Cilento in an earlier statement. “None of Bob’s shows exemplified the fullness of his spirit quite like Dancin’ and bringing it back in this fresh way is how I hope to keep that spirit alive.”
READ: How These Fosse Dancers Have Reconstructed (And Revised) Bob Fosse’s Dancin’
The Broadway bow, expected since at least 2021, follows a staging at California's The Old Globe earlier this year, also helmed by Cilento. The revival also follows plans for a Graciela Daniele-helmed Broadway revival in 2009 via Roundabout Theatre Company that failed to materialize.
Cilento leads a creative team that includes scenic designer Robert Brill, costume designers Reid Bartelme and Harriet Jung, lighting designer David Grill, sound designer Peter Hylenski, video designer Finn Ross, and production stage manager Beverly Jenkins. Music supervision, orchestrations, incidental music, and vocal arrangements are provided by Jim Abbott, with music direction by Justin Hornback, music coordination by Kimberlee Wertz, and dance arrangements and new music by David Dabbon. The production is cast by Tara Rubin Casting's Xavier Rubiano.
Fosse's original production opened at Broadway's Broadhurst Theatre in 1978, transferring to the Ambassador Theatre before closing 1,774 performances later. The cast included such Fosse favorites as Ann Reinking, Robert La Fosse, Dana Moore, Bebe Neuwirth, and Cynthia Onrubia. Cilento received a Tony nomination for his performance.
