Enjoy iconic dance numbers from 8 Broadway musicals spanning 8 decades of Broadway

So much of what we love about Broadway musicals is their iconic dance numbers.

Join us as we explore and celebrate the best of Broadway dancing in this showstopper showcase choreographed by Jefferson Ballet Theatre’s Kenneth Beck (The Nutcracker, Jesus Christ Superstar) and Kimberly Matulich-Beck.

Featuring an ensemble of over 40 local dancers and two visiting artists, the show will include a variety of dance styles, including tap, ballet, and jazz from eight Broadway shows spanning from 1936-2000. The two visiting dancers are Chloe Slade and LeAnthony Douglas, featured in Beck’s 2022 presentation of The Nutcracker.

Despite its title, not all pieces are traditional ballet dances. “The definition of ‘ballet’ is ‘dance that tells a story’”, explains director Kenneth Beck. “This show is an homage to some of the greatest dance storytelling in the history of Broadway.”

Musicals featured include Oklahoma! Damn Yankees, Singin’ in the Rain, Carousel, Billy Elliot, 42^nd Street, On Your Toes, and West Side Story. Some of the pieces will include vocal accompaniment, and there will be narration by Beck in between pieces, to explain how the dances represent different eras in Broadway musical dance history.

For example, two of the eight dance pieces (Oklahoma’s “Dream Ballet” and Carousel’s "June is Busting Out All Over”) were originally choreographed by Agnes De Mille, whose invention of using dance to further the plot and to express the psychology of the characters historically changed the use of dance in musical theater.

Other pieces originally choreographed by George Balanchine, Gower Champion, and Bob Fosse, each represent a unique slice of Broadway dance history.

This promises to be an exhilarating evening filled with group ensemble dance numbers as well as dynamic duets, featuring a wide variety of dance styles and songs!

Note: This is a family-friendly show appropriate for all ages.

Featuring:

• Eli Strain and Camille Von Hoven in the Broadway Melody ballet from Singin' in the Rain

• Arthur Rusnak, Libbey Luminais and David Rochon in the Dream Ballet from Oklahoma

• Chloe Slade and LeAnthony Douglas in the Ballet from West Side Story

• Jaune Buisson and Jorden Majeau in the 42nd Street tap ballet

• Gavin Howell as Billy Elliot