Bob Fosse's Dancin': revival to begin performances at Stuio 54 from 17 Apr 2009

The Roundabout has announced that Bob Fosse's Dancin' is to have its first revival on Broadway in 2009.

The production will begin previewing from 17 Apr 2009 at Stuiod 54, and open on 5 May, following an engagement in Toronto.

Dancin' is legendary director/choreographer Bob Fosse�s classic tribute to the art of dance. This production marks its return to the stage for the first time in a generation. The essence of Fosse will take center stage in this recreation of his original production.

Fosse was one of the greatest and most influential figures in dance and theatre history, with works including 'Cabaret,' 'Chicago,' 'Sweet Charity,' 'Lenny,' 'Star 80,' and 'Pippin,' as well as two Tony Awards, three Emmys and an Academy Award.

As previously reported the new production will be directed by multiple Tony Award nominee Graciela Daniele (Bernarda Alba, Ragtime, The Rink).

Tony Award winner Ann Reinking (Chicago, Fosse) will serve as artistic consultant and Kathryn Doby (who assissted Fosse in the original production) will recreate the original Fosse choreography. Nicole Fosse will advise the creative team on the revival of her father's masterpiece.

Nicole Fosse comments "I am thrilled that Dancin' will return to Broadway for the first time since the original 1978 production. The creative team of Graciela, Annie and Kathryn - a longtime assistant to my father - is the most perfect group I can imagine to recreate my father's personal celebration of dance."

The design team will include original design team members Peter Larkin (sets), Willa Kim (costumes), and Jules Fisher (lights & projections). Additional creative team members include Jonathan Deans (sound).

Produced by Whiskey Tango and Elaine Krauss in association with Dancap Productions Inc., the new production of Dancin' will include the addition of Bob Fosse numbers never before seen on stage.

Dancin' premiered on Broadway in 1978 at the Broadhurst Theatre under the direction of Bob Fosse. The award winning production played almost 2,000 performances and earned a Best Musical Tony Nomination. Bob Fosse won the Tony Award for his Choreography.

According to Martin Gottfried who wrote the Fosse biography "All His Jazz: The Life & Death of Bob Fosse," Fosse came up with the idea for the show Dancin' because he did not want to be burdened with pleasing artistic partners. "When you have collaborators, you have all those midnight meetings. I'm tired of those.... So I just decided to meet myself at midnight." Fosse approached Graciela Daniele to choreograph some of the dance routines, but Daniele refused saying "When you are out of ideas, call me. I have the feeling that once you get into it, you're going to want to do it all."

Drawing inspiration from popular culture and various types of music and movement, Fosse set out to create a tribute to the art of dance.

The score of Dancin' is comprised of a collection of mostly American songs from a wide variety of styles including operetta, jazz and classical as well as titles by popular recording artists Neil Diamond and Cat Stevens.

Additional information about the show to be announced in the near future.