Dance Numbers from Musicals

Some of the greatest dance numbers from musicals are from shows that are geared towards dancers. Dancers have a love of all that is dramatic, and dance numbers are always loved, whether in movies, ballets, or musicals.

While some musicals like A Chorus Line are full of great dance numbers, other shows will surprise you now and then with a singular dance sequence that takes your breath away. Regardless of the style of dance number you love best, you're bound to find a musical that features just that style of dance.

The musical A Chorus Line is about dancers and their private and public lives. Several excellent dance numbers are included in this musical, from solo tap numbers to huge, ensemble dances. The show opens with a scene in which a dance audition is shown. Several different dance genres are showcased as the dancers have to show their skills in several different types of dance, from character to ballet. Based on this audition, several dancers are chosen to continue auditioning. After hearing and seeing the dancers' life stories acted out on the stage, which makes up the body of the show, the finale is one of the greatest dance numbers from musicals of all time.

The finale of this musical is a performance (a rehearsal of the number is a fun dance number within the show) of the dance and song number One. Characteristics of this number are the gold top hats, the precision with which so many dancers (different versions have different amounts) all perform precisely the same steps, and the seemingly endless chorus line kicks (shoulder height) that complete the number, and the show. This dance number has audiences on their feet every time.

A passionate, thrilling dance in musical theater is the high energy waltz of Anna and the King in The King and I. Their volatile relationship makes the lead up, and the dance itself, a dance number for all time. He 'waltzes' like no other--with more energy, a faster, and a wider step than any waltz has ever seen. The energy of the dance, paired with the anger and passion that precede it, makes for an unforgettable dance scene.

The Fiddler on the Roof has one of the most fun all-male dance scenes of all musicals. In a village pub atmosphere, the men celebrate all that is good in their lives. The dancing is traditional folk dance, and the link between the music and the dancing is so authentic that the audience is drawn into the number from the very first few notes and clanging of the glasses.

This number is one of the favorites from a show full of dancing. This musical has great singing, but the dancing is also full of energy and tons of fun. The song Greased Lightning is one in which all the male members of the cast sing and dance an ode to their favorite cars. Like the pub scene in The Fiddler on the Roof, the all-male nature of this dance number makes it lots of fun to watch.

In the musical Cabaret, a really fun song, with an excellent dance sequence to match, is Don't Tell Mama. The musical is set in a German nightclub with cabaret dancers and musicians, and this song chronicles how the lead singer/dancer came to be dancing in a nightclub. Many lines in the song feature fun anecdotes about the sexy nature of working as a dancer in a nightclub, and the dance is well matched to the song.

In addition to all of the individual numbers above, try these musicals for several dance numbers in each one:

• The Lion King
• Chicago
• Crazy for You
• Footloose
• The Boyfriend

Enjoy the dancing! If these dances appeal to you, you might want to consider preparing for a career in musicals. The dancing is lots of fun, and the cast experience can be more varied than in a ballet company. A career in musical theater can be a rewarding dance career that goes on far longer than a career in ballet due to the less physically damaging type of routines danced by musical theater dancers.

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