Gotta Dance is eyeing a Fall 2016 Broadway bow

Producers Dori Berinstein and Bill Damaschke have announced that the Broadway-bound new musical Gotta Dance, directed and choreographed by Tony winner Jerry Mitcell, is now aiming to officially open on Broadway in Fall 2016.

The current pre-Broadway engagement at Chicago's Bank of America Theatre played its first performance on 13 December 2015 and has now extended its run by one week through to 17 January 2016.

Gotta Dance features a book by Tony nominee Chad Beguelin and Tony winner Bob Martin, music by Tony and Emmy nominee Matthew Sklar and lyrics by Tony nominee Nell Benjamin, with additional music by Marvin Hamlisch.

Synopsis: "One remarkable dance team. One big chance. One small twist. You gotta be over 60. Gotta Dance is the incredible true story of ten determined dreamers who audition to dance at half time for a major NBA team. They have three things in common: they love to dance, they have something to prove, and they are all over 60. It isn't until they make the cut that they find out they won't be dancing tap, salsa or swing - they are going to bring down the house with a style that's entirely new to them: hip hop. Don't miss this original musical about a group of ordinary seniors with extraordinary dreams as they battle prejudice, self-doubt and each other for a chance to bust a move at center court in front of 20,000 screaming fans."

The creative team behind Gotta Dance features Nick Kenkel (as co-choreographer), musical direction by Charlie Alterman, orchestrations by Tony winner Larry Hochman, scenic design by five-time Tony nominee David Rockwell, costume design by Tony winner Gregg Barnes, lighting design by Tony winner Kenneth Posner, sound design by four-time Tony nominee Peter Hylenski, hair design by Josh Marquette, and projection design by Jason Lee Courson.

Although the Broadway cast has yet to be confirmed, the current Chicago cast includes Tony nominee André De Shields, five-time Emmy nominee Georgia Engel, Stefanie Powers, Tony winner Lillias White, Haven Burton, Lori Tan Chinn, Joanna Jones, Nancy Ticotin, Alexander Aguilar, Adinah Alexander, Sydni Beaudoin, Holly Ann Butler, Paula Caselton, Murphy Cross, Madeleine Doherty, Tracy Jai Edwards, Ari Groover, Colby Lewis, Lenora Nemetz, Lance Roberts, Elise Santora, Jonalyn Saxer, Austin Scott III, Kay Walbye, and Virginia Ann Woodruff.

Dates and venue information for the Broaadway engagement will be announced at a later date.

- by Tom Millward