Based on the film "Swing Time," with marvelous songs by some of the best old timers, Never Gonna Dance is a show about tap dancing, and some of the numbers are breathtaking as choreographed by Jerry Mitchell. The rest are merely superb. The leading man, Noah Racey, charming and tasteful, is almost an Astaire, and there are fine comic turns by Peter Bartlett and Peter Gerety. David Pittu delights as an absurd Latin Lover, and the real charisma is Karen Ziemba, who lights up the theater whenever she's on stage. And Second Bananas Eugene Fleming and Deidre Goodwin dance up a storm. The imaginative set by Robin Wagner and costumes by Wiliam Ivey Long, with lighting by Paul Gallo, all enhance this all-dance, all-fun, zany musical, ably directed by Michael Greif. The final duet between Racey and leading lady Nancy Lemenager was heartwarming, and brought a sentimental tear to an old, sometimes jaded, critic. If you like dance -- this is one of the best. You'll walk out smiling, and maybe humming "The Way You Look Tonight.
Images:
Previews:
October 27, 2003
Opened:
December 4, 2003
Ended:
February 15, 2004
Country:
USA
State:
New York
City:
New York
Company/Producers:
Weissberger Theater Group/Jay Harris, prod; Edgar Bronfman, Jr., James Walsh & Ted Hartley/RKO Pictures
Theater Type:
Broadway
Theater:
Broadhurst Theater
Theater Address:
235 West 44th Street
Running Time:
2 hrs, 30 min
Genre:
Musical
Director:
Michael Greif
Review:
Cast:
Noah Racey (John), Karen Ziemba, Deidre Goodwin, Nancy Lemenager, Peter Bartlett, Peter Gerety, David Pittu, Deborah Leamy, Philip LeStrange, Ron Orbach, Eugene Fleming, Timothy J. Alex, Julio Augustin, Roxane Barlow, Julie Connors, Sally Mae Dunn, Jennifer Frankel, Jason Gillman, Greg Graham, Ipsita Paul, T. Oliver Reid, Kirby Ward, and Tommar Wilson.
Technical:
Choreog: Jerry Mitchell. Set: Robin Wagner; Costumes: William Ivey Long; Lighting: Paul Gallo; Sound: ACME Sound Partners. Casting: Bernard Telsey 212-868-1260.
Other Critics:
TOTALTHEATER David Lefkowitz +
Critic:
Richmond Shepard
Date Reviewed:
December 2003