Watch: Off-Broadway Dance Compendium Gotta Dance! Bring 'Teach Me How to Shimmy' to Good Day New York

The Joey McKneely-choreographed Smokey Joe's Cafe number is just one of many iconic dance pieces in the new show.

April 15, 2026 By Logan Culwell-Block

The cast of Off-Broadway's Broadway and film choreography retrospective Gotta Dance! dropped by Good Day New York recently to offer a performance of "Teach Me How to Shimmy," originally choreographed by Joey McKneely for 1995's Lieber and Stoller revue Smokey Joe's Cafe. Watch the full performance above.

The current show is at Stage 42, where opening night was March 31.

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.