Photos: Julie Halston, Stephanie Pope, Jay Armstrong Johnson Attend Opening of Gotta Dance Off-Broadway | Playbill
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Photos: Julie Halston, Stephanie Pope, Jay Armstrong Johnson Attend Opening of Gotta Dance Off-Broadway

The American Dance Machine revue features reconstructions from West Side Story, Singin' in the Rain, and more.

April 01, 2026 By Andrew Gans, Logan Culwell-Block

Julie Halston and Stephanie Pope (Christopher Duggan)

The Off-Broadway encore bow of Broadway and film choreography retrospective Gotta Dance!, which began previews March 20 at Stage 42, officially opened March 31. 

Check out photos from opening night, which included attendees Julie Halston, Jay Armstrong Johnson, Alice Ripley, Lee Roy Reams, Stephanie Pope, Ben Vereen, and more, in the gallery below.

The work—co-directed by conceiver Nikki Feirt Atkins and Randy Skinner—played a limited run at Theatre at St. Jean's last year, produced by York Theatre Company. A celebration of the art of musical theatre dance on stage and screen, the production pays tribute to choreographers who shaped Broadway and Hollywood, featuring numbers reconstructed from West Side Story, White Christmas, Singin’ in the Rain, and more. The encore run features music arrangements by Eugene Gwozdz, who also leads a live orchestra.

The dance company includes Keely Beirne, Brandon Burks, Anthony Cannarella, Barton Cowperthwaite, Deanna Doyle, Sara Esty, Jessica Lee Goldyn, RJ Higton, Kate Louissaint, Libby Lloyd, Drew Minard, Cole Newburg, Melody Rose, Samantha Siegel, Ahmad Simmons, Landon Winslow, and Blake Zelesnikar. Casting is by ARC's Mark Brandon and Matt MacDonald. Casting for the earlier run was by The Casting Collaborative's Jason Styres.

The production features scenic design by Noah Glaister, costume design by Marlene Olson Hamm, lighting design by Ken Billington (Chicago) and Anthony Pearson (John Proctor is the Villain), projection design by Brian C. Staton (Becoming Dr. Ruth), and sound design by Peter Brucker. Andrew Winans is the associate director-choreographer, with Cathy Lubash Fogelman serving as associate choreographer. Drew Neal is the production stage manager.

Riki Kane Larimer is producing, with Joel Grossman as executive producer. Catalyst Theatricals' Laura Janik Cronin is serving as general manager.

Visit GottaDanceShow.com.

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