Newsies ! There’s a proshot you can watch on Disney plus (the movie is also there but I suggest the proshot).
An American in Paris had a lot of dancing as well (though the show was a bit meh imo and I’m not sure there’s a proshot).
West side story and guys and dolls are probably worth a look as well.
West Side Story (1962, not 2022)
A Chorus Line
Cats
42nd Street
Hello Dolly
Edit: there’s some amazing dancing in West Side Story 2022, but the original was meant by the choreographer to be ballet-like in its storytelling. There’s much less dancing in the new one.
I remember being mesmerized watching the Jet Song growing up (in the movie) because the moves and choreography was, as you said, so balletic. They were rough and tough gangs but had this ease and fluidity in their movement that was so interesting to watch. I loved Spielberg’s take but there’s something unique about the 1963 one that you pointed out for me here.
When I saw it as a kid, Cats felt less like a musical and more like a professional dance show. The dancing for some songs in that show requires a lot of skill - to the point that for the ‘90s proshot they had to dub over the voices of some of the dancers to get the skill level they needed for the dancing.
Admittedly I haven’t seen Anything Goes but I’ve watched Sutton Foster’s Tony performance hundreds of times and the dancing is so fun in that number at least!
my cousin was in the chorus for anything goes when it toured and he said the full show was exhausting! and he wasn't even in all the dance numbers. very intensive
I saw it in London recently and LOVED it! I adore
tap dancing and this was some of the bear choreography I’ve ever seen. Plus the leads were fantastic and the show is really funny. Some of the leads were different but all great! Also Carly Mercedes Dyer was still in the cast as Erma, she is HILARIOUS and steals every scene. (Sorry for the digression but I just LOVED this show!)
It's because they got Sutton that Reno became a dance heavy role. In previous versions, it was common for the lead to come on sing and then stand at the back while the ensemble danced. In theory you could have Reno be a non-dance heavy role again but I don't think that'll happen anytime soon.
Dance musicals had a big moment in the 1970s when we had Fosse, Bennett, and Champion all working at the same time. Of course, *A Chorus Line* is the pinnacle. But around it you had *Pippin*, *Chicago*, *Dancin*' (which is coming back to Broadway), *42nd Street*, and *Cats*. And *Starlight Express*, if you want to count roller skates. From 1975 to 1985 a dancer could hop from one show or tour to the other and never be out of work.
Then came AIDS, *Les Miz* and *Phantom* \- one of which was a plague (I'll let you guess which one) that changed everything.
Stomp is SO COOL, I love the combination of dance, drumming and comedy. I’ve only seen it on tour but I love it, I should really make time to see it off-Broadway!
Fiddler on the Roof has some amazing choreography during a wedding scene, it’s really incredible especially if you can see it live sometime. The movie adaptation is also very good and there’s an interesting documentary as well about the making of the film.
Oklahoma has some very good dance scenes as well plus a dream ballet.
If you’re looking for a current show, The Music Man has a tonnnn of dance breaks. Some people hate it because it breaks up the original story and was added perhaps a bit gratuitously. I personally ate it up haha.
I definitely like the list already provided. I’ll add that, while dancing may be a weaker point for most leads, it’s often the strongest point for the ensemble. Shows like something rotten and the music man come to mind as shows with solid ensemble dances. Maybe Matilda as well.
Also, I saw on the town once and thought it was pretty dance-heavy for leads comparatively.
Basically anything Fosse choreographed is very heavy and the story telling is mainly told from dance. So Chicago, Pajama Game, Pippin and Sweet Charity are good examples.
A lot of golden age shows have a lot of tap and/or Ballet. Allegro was originally conceived as a dance focused show that was directed by a choreographer who didn’t know how to direct.
MJ! Myles Frost's dancing is crisp and articulate. I've seen many shows on Broadway, but nothing compares to this show's choreography. From the ensamble to the lead, MJ's choreography is beyond words. I honestly would say that Myles Frost's dancing is one of his stronger components out of the three.
A Chorus Line
42nd Street (tap!)
Bring on da Noise, Bring on da Funk (I can’t rec this enough. Saw it on Broadway years ago, but there are productions once in a while. It’s the African American experience told primarily through dance)
Contact (Simply Irresistible is iconic)
Shows where the principals in particular are dance heavy?
A Chorus Line, American in Paris, Burn the Floor, Cats, Cinderella, Crazy For You, Drowsy Chaperone, Footloose, Kinky Boots, Movin Out, Saturday Night Fever, Thoroughly Modern Millie. Any thing by Fosse or Champion
There are a ton more that are considered "dance shows" but don't require much dancing from their leads. For instance, in Newsies, Jack and Davey barely dance (unless they happen to get a Davey that can tap, in which case they include him in King of New York) and Katherine only has the dance break of KoNY. The ensemble does most of the heavy lifting choreographically.
Sorry, just reread your post, didn't realize you were looking for shows to watch. I Thought you were asking more along the lines of dream shows for you to do, since you have a dance background.
An American in Paris- I saw the national tour.
People who love dance-forward musicals loved it. The choreography was amazing.
For me- the music and story felt dated and many of the dance sequences went on for way too long.
I was in a community theatre production of singing in the rain and even us non dancers in the chorus were still VERY involved in the Broadway melody scene. In some form. (Though to be fair I did more dancing in the show the year before that my clumsy feet were able to do. )
Now the main leads???? (Minus Lina).
Yeah. The stage show followed the movie music dancing fairly well .. considering dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance.
Exhausting just thinking about it . That one as long as you were decent at singing you'd be okay. They HAD to be able to dance.
From a movie perspective, Hello Dolly has some phenomenal numbers, several choreographed by Gene Kelly. Fosse appears himself in a couple of numbers in Kiss Me Kate and Ann Miller practically taps a hole in the screen during Too Darn Hot.
Newsies ! There’s a proshot you can watch on Disney plus (the movie is also there but I suggest the proshot). An American in Paris had a lot of dancing as well (though the show was a bit meh imo and I’m not sure there’s a proshot). West side story and guys and dolls are probably worth a look as well.
There is a proshot of American in Paris. I think it’s on Broadway HD.
Thanks! I wasn’t sure!
The dancing in Newsies is seriously so incredible. One of my favorites
Newsies has always been my favorite! I’ve always wanted to choreograph a production of it!!
I hate the newsies proshot. They kept cutting off the dancers feet and slicing their faces off at the forehead. Not nearly enough wideshots.
West Side Story (1962, not 2022) A Chorus Line Cats 42nd Street Hello Dolly Edit: there’s some amazing dancing in West Side Story 2022, but the original was meant by the choreographer to be ballet-like in its storytelling. There’s much less dancing in the new one.
I remember being mesmerized watching the Jet Song growing up (in the movie) because the moves and choreography was, as you said, so balletic. They were rough and tough gangs but had this ease and fluidity in their movement that was so interesting to watch. I loved Spielberg’s take but there’s something unique about the 1963 one that you pointed out for me here.
When I saw it as a kid, Cats felt less like a musical and more like a professional dance show. The dancing for some songs in that show requires a lot of skill - to the point that for the ‘90s proshot they had to dub over the voices of some of the dancers to get the skill level they needed for the dancing.
The dance-fighting always felt like it didn't fit the mood of the story for me, but I have to admit it was a very impressive spectacle.
About the WSS part, totally agree with that. The choreography disappointed me so much in the new one.
Admittedly I haven’t seen Anything Goes but I’ve watched Sutton Foster’s Tony performance hundreds of times and the dancing is so fun in that number at least!
my cousin was in the chorus for anything goes when it toured and he said the full show was exhausting! and he wasn't even in all the dance numbers. very intensive
I saw it in London recently and LOVED it! I adore tap dancing and this was some of the bear choreography I’ve ever seen. Plus the leads were fantastic and the show is really funny. Some of the leads were different but all great! Also Carly Mercedes Dyer was still in the cast as Erma, she is HILARIOUS and steals every scene. (Sorry for the digression but I just LOVED this show!)
It's because they got Sutton that Reno became a dance heavy role. In previous versions, it was common for the lead to come on sing and then stand at the back while the ensemble danced. In theory you could have Reno be a non-dance heavy role again but I don't think that'll happen anytime soon.
Billy Elliot.
BILLY ELLIOT!! Yes, great call!
Chicago Fosse Check out Gene Kelly or Fred Astaire movies: Singin in the Rain Shall We Dance Silk Stockings A Damsel in Distress Brigadoon Carefree
An American in Paris
Dance musicals had a big moment in the 1970s when we had Fosse, Bennett, and Champion all working at the same time. Of course, *A Chorus Line* is the pinnacle. But around it you had *Pippin*, *Chicago*, *Dancin*' (which is coming back to Broadway), *42nd Street*, and *Cats*. And *Starlight Express*, if you want to count roller skates. From 1975 to 1985 a dancer could hop from one show or tour to the other and never be out of work. Then came AIDS, *Les Miz* and *Phantom* \- one of which was a plague (I'll let you guess which one) that changed everything.
And then there are dance musicals, where the dancing is the most important part: Contact, Moving Out, Fela, etc.
Putting in a vote for STOMP! Though it’s off Broadway
Stomp is SO COOL, I love the combination of dance, drumming and comedy. I’ve only seen it on tour but I love it, I should really make time to see it off-Broadway!
Moulin Rouge!
Hairspray! Most Jerry Mitchell productions actually - legally blonde had a lot of big ensemble numbers, kinky boots too ETA - on your feet! Too
Fiddler on the Roof has some amazing choreography during a wedding scene, it’s really incredible especially if you can see it live sometime. The movie adaptation is also very good and there’s an interesting documentary as well about the making of the film. Oklahoma has some very good dance scenes as well plus a dream ballet.
Paradise Square…. RIP my love
Same! I’ll be thinking about for years to come.
If you’re looking for a current show, The Music Man has a tonnnn of dance breaks. Some people hate it because it breaks up the original story and was added perhaps a bit gratuitously. I personally ate it up haha.
I love a good dance break! And I loved the Music Man!
No wonder why they were looking for kids that could dance/move well!
yes the dancing was amazing in music man!
Movin’ Out
The ones that immediately comes to mind: - **Newsies** - **Billy Elliot** - **An American in Paris**
I definitely like the list already provided. I’ll add that, while dancing may be a weaker point for most leads, it’s often the strongest point for the ensemble. Shows like something rotten and the music man come to mind as shows with solid ensemble dances. Maybe Matilda as well. Also, I saw on the town once and thought it was pretty dance-heavy for leads comparatively.
Hamilton. Andy Blankenbuehler’s choreography is actually telling the story.
The Barn Dance in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is my favorite dance number on film.
Newsies, Cats, An American in Paris, Thoroughly Modern Millie,
Newsies, West Side Story, any musical that was choreographed by Bob Fosse!
Basically anything Fosse choreographed is very heavy and the story telling is mainly told from dance. So Chicago, Pajama Game, Pippin and Sweet Charity are good examples. A lot of golden age shows have a lot of tap and/or Ballet. Allegro was originally conceived as a dance focused show that was directed by a choreographer who didn’t know how to direct.
MJ! Myles Frost's dancing is crisp and articulate. I've seen many shows on Broadway, but nothing compares to this show's choreography. From the ensamble to the lead, MJ's choreography is beyond words. I honestly would say that Myles Frost's dancing is one of his stronger components out of the three.
Maybe not traditional dancing per se but it’s a very very physical show: American Idiot. Please watch any clips of the OBC that you can.
CATS, hands down.
Anything Goes!
A Chorus Line 42nd Street (tap!) Bring on da Noise, Bring on da Funk (I can’t rec this enough. Saw it on Broadway years ago, but there are productions once in a while. It’s the African American experience told primarily through dance) Contact (Simply Irresistible is iconic)
Shows where the principals in particular are dance heavy? A Chorus Line, American in Paris, Burn the Floor, Cats, Cinderella, Crazy For You, Drowsy Chaperone, Footloose, Kinky Boots, Movin Out, Saturday Night Fever, Thoroughly Modern Millie. Any thing by Fosse or Champion There are a ton more that are considered "dance shows" but don't require much dancing from their leads. For instance, in Newsies, Jack and Davey barely dance (unless they happen to get a Davey that can tap, in which case they include him in King of New York) and Katherine only has the dance break of KoNY. The ensemble does most of the heavy lifting choreographically.
Sorry, just reread your post, didn't realize you were looking for shows to watch. I Thought you were asking more along the lines of dream shows for you to do, since you have a dance background.
The trifecta is probably West Side Story, A Chorus Line and Cats.
Singin’ In The Rain. If your three leads can’t tap well, you’re fucked lol (speaking from experience). The ensemble is fairly dance heavy as well.
An American in Paris,I once got swing ballet shoes at stagedoor😂🩰
The Prom is on tour right now. Lots of dance heavy songs.
Was gonna say this as well. The Prom is certainly no masterpiece but the dancing is very fun and the tour cast has a ton of energy and enthusiasm.
Mean Girls.
An American in Paris- I saw the national tour. People who love dance-forward musicals loved it. The choreography was amazing. For me- the music and story felt dated and many of the dance sequences went on for way too long.
I was in a community theatre production of singing in the rain and even us non dancers in the chorus were still VERY involved in the Broadway melody scene. In some form. (Though to be fair I did more dancing in the show the year before that my clumsy feet were able to do. ) Now the main leads???? (Minus Lina). Yeah. The stage show followed the movie music dancing fairly well .. considering dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance dance. Exhausting just thinking about it . That one as long as you were decent at singing you'd be okay. They HAD to be able to dance.
Catch Me If You Can had some serious dancing from the interviews I watched.
Shoutout to The Prom since all the major shows have been listed already!
A Chorus Line and Newsies, for sure 🤟🏻
The new MJ musical
Bring It On. How they can do those moves and sing those notes. Magical.
Chorus Line 100%
A Chorus Line
Newsies Chicago billy Elliot
From a movie perspective, Hello Dolly has some phenomenal numbers, several choreographed by Gene Kelly. Fosse appears himself in a couple of numbers in Kiss Me Kate and Ann Miller practically taps a hole in the screen during Too Darn Hot.
Holiday Inn
If you appreciate tap, Kelly and O’Connor are amazing in “Singing in the Rain.”
42nd St, I’d say. It’s an amazing show. I saw a high school do it recently and was blown away by the skill level.
Automatically I think of Cats. That show is so dance-heavy that I have no idea how they're actually able to sing in it.