BOB FOSSE’S DANCIN’ Reviews

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 3/18/23 at 1:11pm

Bob Fosse’s DANCIN’ is Fosse’s full-throated, full-bodied celebration of the art form he loved and perfected… and then changed forever. Utterly reimagined for the 21st century by director Wayne Cilento – who starred in the original Broadway production – this DANCIN’brims with a level of warmth, emotion, and color rarely seen in modern interpretations of Fosse’s influential style, and features some of his most inventive and seldom performed choreography. With a cast of New York’s hottest dancers and an eclectic score of songs selected by Fosse, DANCIN’ delivers the quintessential Broadway experience for Fosse fans and first-timers alike. You think you’ve seen dancing, but you’ve never seen DANCIN’ like this!

Opening Night is scheduled for March 19 at the Music Box Theatre!

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 3/19/23 at 8:08pm

"The spectacle of Fosse’s theatrical endeavor persists. And the energy radiating off of this ensemble is so contagious, you just might leave dancin’ out of your seat," writes Broadway News' critic Brittani Samuel of the revival of Bob Fosse's DANCIN' on Broadway. 

https://broadwaynews.com/2023/03/19/review-bob-fosses-dancin-is-eight-counts-of-wonderful/

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 3/19/23 at 8:08pm

"There's gotta be something better than this."

https://www.theatermania.com/reviews/bob-fosses-dancin_94988.html

[quizking101]

Posted: 3/19/23 at 8:09pm

New York Theater is mixed, leaning positive:

“Such concerns disappear, though, when absorbed in the Fosse-fueled moments of ecstasy.  I’m not sure what it says about me that the number that made me the most ecstatic was probably the most traditional song-and-dance number in the show, “I Wanna Be A Dancin’ Man,” with all the dancers in straw hats and high kicks.“

https://newyorktheater.me/2023/03/19/bob-fosses-dancin-review/

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 3/19/23 at 8:35pm

OUCH!

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/19/theater/bob-fosses-dancin-review-broadway.html

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 3/19/23 at 8:43pm

I feel like Wayne Cilento should've had Jason Williams provide some choreography for this show as well. If you don't know who Jason Williams is, go check out his videos on Instagram! This man has Fosse in him! I feel like if he had been a part of this show, it probably would've worked even better! Some of his students are in this company of dancers! I'll put his Instagram link on here. Y'all should really check him out!

https://www.instagram.com/thejasonwilliamsexperience/

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 3/19/23 at 8:49pm

Interestingly enough, BroadwayWorld's roundup currently has a thumbs up listed next to all of the reviews with the exception of New York Stage Review.
https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Review-Roundup-Bob-Fosses-DANCIN-Opens-on-Broadway-Updating-Live-20230319

[JasonC3]

Posted: 3/19/23 at 8:57pm

Dylan Smith4 said: "OUCH!

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/19/theater/bob-fosses-dancin-review-broadway.html"

Green still peppers this review with a lot of praise.

 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 3/19/23 at 9:04pm

DTLI Consensus: This revival compensates for a few missteps with a likable cast and several wonderfully executed moments. 

5 positive, 3 mixed (including the NYT), 1 negative.

https://didtheylikeit.com/shows/bob-fosses-dancin/

Updated On: 3/19/23 at 09:04 PM

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 3/19/23 at 9:06pm

I read that but at the beginning of the article, he sounded a bit negative to me. Correct me if I’m wrong there. 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 3/19/23 at 9:48pm

These reviews are better than I thought they would be, considering how the Old Globe tryout was received.

It might even set Dancin' up for a few dark-horse Tony nods... Musical Revival? Is it eligible for Choreography? Perhaps Featured Actor or Actress for a standout dancer?

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 3/19/23 at 9:54pm

EDSOSLO858 said: "These reviews are better than I thought they would be, considering how the Old Globe tryout was received.

It might even setDancin'up for a few dark-horse Tony nods... Musical Revival? Is it eligible for Choreography? Perhaps Featured Actor or Actress for a standout dancer?"

Definitely not uncommon like we saw for the Pippin revival, Come Fly Away (Sinatra, not Gander… lol)! We shall see!

[JasonC3]

Posted: 3/19/23 at 9:55pm

Dylan Smith4 said: "I read that but at the beginning of the article, he sounded a bit negative to me. Correct me if I’m wrong there."

I was reacting more to your OUCH! which made me think the entire review would be a critical pan.

 

Updated On: 3/20/23 at 09:55 PM

[JSquared2]

Posted: 3/19/23 at 10:10pm

Dylan Smith4 said: "OUCH!

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/19/theater/bob-fosses-dancin-review-broadway.html"

 

Did you actually read the review?  Green has lots of positive things to say. 

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 3/19/23 at 10:17pm

EDSOSLO858 said: "These reviews are better than I thought they would be, considering how the Old Globe tryout was received.

It might even set Dancin' up for a few dark-horse Tony nods... Musical Revival? Is it eligible for Choreography? Perhaps Featured Actor or Actress for a standout dancer?"

If the administration committee declares Dancin' eligible for Best Choreography, then I think it'll definitely get nominated there. If they don't, then the most I can see it getting right now is Best Lighting Design of a Musical. While the original production received two acting nominations, the ensemble nature of the show could still prevent any of its cast members from gaining traction. Judging by reports for both Camelot and Sweeney Todd, I have a feeling they’re gonna do better in acting and design nominations at least.

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 3/19/23 at 10:57pm

Friendly reminder that 3 of the 5 nominees (Grimes, Shively, DuPont) for Featured Actor in a Musical last year were for dance-heavy roles. And Dancin’ just got better reviews than both Funny Girl and Paradise Square. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 3/19/23 at 11:08pm

EDSOSLO858 said: "Friendly reminder that 3 of the 5 nominees (Grimes, Shively, DuPont) for Featured Actor in a Musical last year were for dance-heavy roles. And Dancin’just got better reviews than bothFunny GirlandParadise Square."

The above is also a reminder that sometimes the Tony nominators like to go wild –– as with those two Paradise Square noms, and even Grimes. Doing the thought exercise in the Carolee thread just now affirmed that so much is unknown ahead of time and not predictable.

[RoyiG]

Posted: 3/19/23 at 11:35pm

Saw one of the final previews. The cast was astonishing, their dancing was perfectly crisp, athletic, thrilling to watch, without a single missed beat and they were 100% in sync while also letting their own uniqueness shine through. Some standout performers were Kolton Krouse (stunning charisma, playful and mischevious) and Manuel Herrera ('Mr Bojangles' almost moved me to tears right out the gate). The performers got a mid-show standing ovation from several audience members in act 2. 

Some pulls from the NYTimes review: "a joy... astonishing...sublime..." this is not an 'ouch'.

 

[quizking101]

Posted: 3/20/23 at 7:25am

EDSOSLO858 said: "These reviews are better than I thought they would be, considering how the Old Globe tryout was received.

It might even setDancin'up for a few dark-horse Tony nods... Musical Revival? Is it eligible for Choreography? Perhaps Featured Actor or Actress for a standout dancer?"

I can’t imagine it won’t be eligible for Choreo - like the revivals of  Pippin and Chicago, it’s another choreographer recreating in his style, as well as “new”/never on Broadway content.

I could also definitely seen Manuel Herrera and certainly Kolton Krouse up for Featured Actor. None of the females truly stood out for me to think they’d enter the race. I honestly had my eyes glued to Herrera, Krouse, Jōvan Dansberry, and Jacob Guzman as contenders for any type of individual recognition.

I could also see lighting design for sure and possibly Orchestrations. Revival is the one they really will need the most though - as there are 6 this season and 4 that are decidedly stronger candidates (ITW, Camelot, Sweeney, Parade) - I don’t think 1776 has a snowball’s chance in Hades.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 3/20/23 at 10:24am

quizking101 said: "EDSOSLO858 said: "Is it eligible for Choreography?"

I can’t imagine it won’t be eligible for Choreo - like the revivals of Pippin and Chicago, it’s another choreographer recreating in his style, as well as “new”/never on Broadway content."

Gold Derby currently doesn't have Dancin' listed in the predictions center for Best Choreography. Although if it is declared eligible, that can change. Then again, the way it's credited for this production is "Musical Staging By Wayne Cliento; Choreography By Bob Fosse; Reproduction of Mr. Fosse's Choreography By Christine Colby Jacques."

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 3/20/23 at 11:19am

Even Warren Carlyle's DOLLY choreo was nixed from consideration because it was too close to Gower Champion's original (and Champion was credited prominently on that revival).

[Musical Master]

Posted: 3/20/23 at 1:04pm

Call me pleasantly surprised by how good some of the reviews are, considering the cold reception it got in San Deigo. Maybe they got some of its rougher kinks worked out and improved it, not to mention the cast got a glowing reception which is always good. I agree that the NYT review is mixed but with positive things to say is far better than an "ouch". 

Maybe this might have some Tony Award chances after all; not as much as Sweeney Todd, Camelot, and Parade per say, but a chance regardless.

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 3/27/23 at 1:09pm

The company will perform on Good Morning America tomorrow. 

[JudyDenmark]

Posted: 3/27/23 at 2:33pm

Musical Master said: "Maybe this might have some Tony Award chances after all; not as much as Sweeney Todd, Camelot, and Parade per say, but a chance regardless."

I'm definitely hoping it squeaks into Revival and we get five nominees, but regardless I think it has a very solid chance at lighting & costumes noms (and, without having seen everything yet, could definitely win for the lighting, which I thought was thrilling).

[pethian]

Posted: 3/27/23 at 3:49pm

JudyDenmark said:  "...could definitely win for the lighting, which I thought was thrilling)."

I think last night's opening of SWEENEY TOOD with its broadly praised lighting makes it the leader in that category, though I agree that the lighting for DANCIN' was one of its strengths.