There’s no other way to put it. You’ve got to really love dancing to enjoy this show. Even so, after a while Dancin’ begins to feel disjointed, repetitive, tedious. All the Fosse trademarks are there: the famous “jazz hands,” straw hats, hip thrusts, cigarettes, and even the voiceover is Fosse. The best bits tend to be short, especially the number with extreme tumbling, with a little boxing thrown in.
The costumes are bright and fun. The guys with muscles look terrific, and all the women are in superb shape. For those of us in the audience, it’s definitely time to get back to the gym. As for the admonition in the beginning that there’ll be no singing (and no talking), take heed, not true. How can you present “Mr. Bojangles” without words? One more caveat: as with so many current Broadway shows, this one is loud. Those with sensitive ears, get out those ear plugs as soon as you sit down. And please note that this is a sensual, sexy show, so check first with granny what her shock tolerance might be.
A word about Wayne Cilento, who has re-imagined this production. His love of theater, and his passion for dancing and dancers rings unequivocally true. Like many theater goers, I first admired him as a dancer, and I’m delighted to see him carry his craft a step further. He was a performer in the original Broadway production; now, 41 years after Dancin’s last curtain came down, he’s here as director. Seems like the perfect full circle moment.
