TOP 10 TUESDAY: Iconic Dance Scenes

The temperature has dipped, and we're all feeling the nip of impending winter, so surely the best way to combat this is to get the blood flowing, heart pumping, and dance our chills away with this latest list, as today we are counting down the top 10 iconic dance routines or moments in musical theatre. There may well be plot details discussed in this, so here is your customary SPOILER ALERT just in case...

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10. "DREAM BALLET" - OKLAHOMA!

The 2019 broadway revival of "Oklahoma!"

To high kick things off, how about a little Rodgers & Hammerstein, and a musical that has always historically divided critics, even with modern day revivals. "Oklahoma!" wasn't always the minimal, stripped back interpretation that ran on broadway in 2019 (subsequently in London 4 years later), and thoroughly divided audiences, what's always been a constant is the power and influence of its "dream ballet" sequence. The scene is a vivid, haunting look into protagonist Laurey's psyche, depicting her fears and internal conflict in a way that was not thought of as possible using mere dialogue, and in its original production, is often touted as a revolutionary piece of choreography by Agnes de Mille, due to its narrative relevance and deeper significance.

Even in more recent stagings, reinterpreting this particular scene has become one of the major challenges of any director, with John Heginbotham in 2019 putting his own individual stamp on the routine, whilst also paying homage to de Mille's original iteration. Dance in theatre prior to this new brand of musical had largely been flashy, surface level, and fairly inconsequential as far as advancement of the story is concerned, which is why it is considered a major turning point in the history of broadway choreography.

9. “THE RUMBLE” - THE OUTSIDERS

The cast of "The Outsiders" on broadway

If there’s one thing that grips an audience in the theatre, it’s a thrilling fight sequence, and 2023 Tony winning best musical “The Outsiders” is perhaps at the forefront of many of our minds when it comes to a brilliantly directed and choreographed physical battle between two parties, certainly for those of us who closely follow the current broadway landscape. Taking place in the second act, this scene acts as the peak of the seemingly never ending feud between the lowly east side “greasers” and west side rich kids the “socs”, as a relentless turned deadly rivalry builds to an intense climax that sees the east siders emerge victorious.

It's a story that resonates with generations, based on the book by S. E. Hinton, which itself has been studied in American schools since it was first published in 1967.

8. “ANYTHING GOES” - ANYTHING GOES

Sutton Foster and the 2021 London revival of "Anything Goes"

Cole Porter and a rousing tap number go together like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, you simply can’t imagine one without the other, and you truly can’t get much better than the act 1 finale of this musical theatre juggernaut. “Anything Goes” is predominantly set on a cruise ship, sailing from New York to London, and is host to a tawdry trio of stowaways, two of whom, Billy Crocker and Moonface Martin, gain widespread public acclaim throughout the vessel, as they masquerade as criminals far more dangerous than their true personas.

The final number of the first act, which sums up the central themes of the musical, is best known for its high octane tap choreography, requiring precision and uniformity across the entire company, but especially from the lead performer in the role of Reno Sweeney, a real mammoth triple threat of a part that's been taken on by the likes of Ethel Merman, Patti LuPone, Elaine Page and Sutton Foster. There's a reason that, even now over 90 years later, "Anything Goes" remains one of the world's most popular classic musicals.

7. "SEIZE THE DAY" - NEWSIES

The original broadway production of "Newsies"

You would be hard pressed to come across a musical that better incorporates ballet, tap and acrobatics into its story than the 2012 Alan Menken, Jack Feldman and Harvey Fierstein musical "Newsies", and anyone who has experienced this lesser known Disney property can attest that it contains some of the most, quite frankly, mind blowing dance performance you are likely to ever see in a musical theatre production. Originally opening on broadway in 2012, the show in general is renowned for its blending of different dance styles, and the almost inhuman levels of talent, stamina and discipline demanded from its ensemble.

Telling of the 1899 New York City newsboys strike, "Seize the day" occurs towards the end of the first act, at a point where the union action is beginning to build a head of steam, and more boys are committing to join the movement against the tyrannical Joseph Pulitzer and his rich media magnate friends. The song is a true showstopper in every sense, not only as a result of its high stakes and rousing lyrics and music, but the remarkable array of movement driven performance from the entire company regularly has had audiences in mid-show ovations the world over.

6. "HOT HONEY RAG" - CHICAGO

"Chicago" on broadway

Since first opening in 1975, and this year celebrating its 50th anniversary, this Kander & Ebb musical has had its fair share of revivals, non-replica productions and amateur dramatic runs, with the constant across the board being that it remain a show with its jazz-style choreography at its core. The current longest running show on broadway has its fair share of iconic dance moments from which to choose, and there were a number of candidates from this record-breaking musical, with "All That Jazz" and "Cell Block Tango" also very heavily in contention for selection.

It's the finale which presents the culmination of the journey taken by Velma and Rosie, blending jazz, burlesque and vaudeville style dance, originally choreographed on broadway by the legendary Bob Fosse, and then later by Ann Reinking in the 1996 revival. "Hot Honey Rag" marvellously ties proceedings up with a neat, swivel-styled bow, as our two antiheroines, once bitter rivals, now come together in a newfound sense of unity, sisterhood and camaraderie.

5. "ELECTRICITY" - BILLY ELLIOT

"Billy Elliot" in the west end

This story about a young boy from County Durham with dreams of being a ballerina would be incomplete without its fair share of choreography, from the blood pumping full ensemble piece "Solidarity", to the impressive tap dancing dresses in the charming, outspoken ode to self-acceptance "Expressing Yourself". However it is the musical's eleven o'clock number "Electricity" that comes out on top, as it acts as a major turning point for the title character, as he stands on the precipice of realising his ambitions of leaving behind his north eastern mining town, and joining the Royal Ballet School in London.

The song is a real test for whichever actor is taking on the part of Billy, as not only do they have to execute a high quality vocal performance, it also primarily showcases the full range of said individual's dancing abilities, requiring stamina, precision, and a thorough working knowledge of ballet. The scene is an emotionally visceral moment for the character, so it stands to reason that the role is considered one of the most, if not the most demanding of a young performer in the entire of musical theatre.

4. “MAMBO” - WEST SIDE STORY

A shot from the 2021 film of "West Side Story"

Another musical with an embarrassment of riches when it comes to top quality choreo, picking a single number to showcase was a particular challenge. "Cool" and "Jet Song" were very close to taking the slot, but it was the "Dance at the Gym/Mambo" which best showcases the central conflict within the show between the Jets and the Sharks, with both sides of the divide in direct competition and choreographed combat with one another. Throughout the show, we are presented with a dichotomy between the jazz influenced movements of the New York native Jets, and the largely Latin dance stylings of the Puerto Rican immigrant Sharks, and "Mambo" very much showcases the very best of both worlds in this respect.

Originally choreographed by Jerome Robbins (for which he won a Tony award in 1958), "West Side Story" was one of the first musicals to directly tackle serious issues like racism, immigration and gang warfare by means of dance, upbeat jazz music and dramatic dialogue. Not to mention, there are few theatre folk dead or alive who wouldn't feel compelled to shout "Mambo!" at the end of the second bar of that iconic rhythmic motif.

3. "BOTTLE DANCE" - FIDDLER ON THE ROOF

The bottle dance from "Fiddler on the Roof"

Tradition is at the very heart of this 1964 Jerry Bock and Joseph Stein musical that tells of a Russian man named Tevye, his five daughters, and his battle between his Jewish heritage and the fast advancing times in the early 20th century, and the perceived dangers of external influences on them as they each approach the point at which they are to be married. The main scene where we find our focus being drawn is the act 1 finale, and the celebration of the nuptial proceedings between Tzeitel, the eldest daughter of Tevye, and her betrothed Motel.

There have been numerous iterations of this most recognisable scene, as the four men, balancing glass bottles on their heads, must execute perfectly synchronised movements, all whilst keeping their respective bottles in place, in a dance that represents the musical's central theme: tradition, as well as the undying resilience of the Jewish community. It doesn't matter what one's general takeaway is from Fiddler, this dance number is undoubtedly the one that will stick in the minds of most.

2. "THE JELLICLE BALL" - CATS

The original broadway production of "Cats"

Say what you will about this unusual Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, one thing you can't deny is its impact on the theatrical world during the 80s and 90s, as it became the longest running broadway musical in history (until another iconic Lloyd Webber show overtook it around 6 years later), as well as one of the longest running to date in the west end. Though light on a discernible plot, "Cats" is regularly touted as one of the finest choreographed musicals in history, with its original production having gained a Tony nomination for one Gillian Lynne.

The Jellicle Ball is the most central dance scene in the whole musical, as it is hugely demanding, especially with regard to the show's original choreography by Lynne, calling for great strength, stamina, and range of technique in different dance styles, in addition to performers having to simultaneously sing and fully maintain their character. Any cast taking on this enormously onerous stage piece, they'd better have their dancing shoes firmly on their feet, and make sure they've had a proper warmup.

1. "ONE" - A CHORUS LINE

"A Chorus Line" on broadway

Is there any theatre fan alive who doesn't know the iconic leg kicking routine from the Pulitzer prize winning 1975 James Kirkwood Jr. and Nicholas Dante musical "A Chorus Line"? Taking place at the show's finale, the world famous "One" acts as the culmination of what has come before, the once tumultuous putting together of this new ensemble now coming together in an exquisite display of uniformity, cohesion and collective star power. Being able to perfectly execute this number is a real testament to the talent and teamwork of any company tackling this mammoth piece of theatre, which for 14 years held the distinction of being the longest running show in the history of broadway.

There are plenty of other options in this show that celebrates the musical ensemble, numbers such as the rousing solo number "The Music and the Mirror", and the act 1 opening "I Hope I Get It" also proving strong candidates in a show with no shortage of terrific dance performances. However it is "One", with original choreography by Michael Bennett and Bob Avian, which the vast majority will consider synonymous with this theatrical behemoth, and which has topped the pile in this celebration of great musical theatre dance.

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To quote Thomas Jefferson, "what'd I miss?" What's your favourite dance moment in musical theatre? Let me know below, or on my Instagram page.