Song AND dance! Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the shows with the most impressive and iconic choreography.
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00:00Welcome to the show ladies and gentlemen! Are you having a good time?
00:03Welcome to Ms. Mojo and today we're counting down our picks for the shows with the most impressive
00:08and iconic choreography. For this list we'll be looking at productions that have been featured
00:13on and off Broadway.
00:14John, I'm a dancer, a dancer, a dancer!
00:20Number 10. Illinois
00:22Trouble falls in my home, troubled man, troubled stone
00:28Turn a mountain of lies, turn a card for my life
00:34You might not expect a show based entirely on Sufjan Stevens' songs to be known for its
00:39choreography, but this is proof that not all jukebox musicals should be judged by their
00:43artists. The stories seem simple, following a group of friends as they share tales around
00:48a campfire. However, the execution is anything but simple.
00:52Oh, can they row? Oh, oh, oh
00:57She gave us a medal, she gave us a medal
01:01The director made the bold choice not to have the cast sing their respective songs. Instead,
01:06he had them act out the lyrics through dance, as someone else provided the vocals.
01:10We don't use words, but what is done on stage is so much more profound to me,
01:15and it says so much more than anything words could ever say.
01:20The result is a series of captivating and intricate sequences that manage to perfectly
01:24convey the lyrics. It was a breath of fresh air amongst other classic performances,
01:29proving that the art form still has plenty to offer.
01:32We celebrate the sense of each other
01:38We have a lot to remember one another
01:46Number 9. Anything Goes
01:48And though I'm not a great commenter, I know that you're bound to ask,
01:52When you perform, anything goes, anything goes
02:02At its best, dance will do much more than simply provide entertainment in a musical.
02:06It has the power to set the mood, establish characters, and even help move the story along.
02:11Anything Goes is a masterclass in all three. The dancing isn't simply something to go with
02:17the lyrics, it helps convey them. Each move has intention behind it, whether they're simply
02:22displaying technical talent or using the art form to explore emotional depth.
02:36The 7-minute titular tap sequence alone is enough to keep audiences at the edge of their seats,
02:41closing out the first act in a truly unforgettable way.
02:45Although it originally opened in the 1930s, the choreography is still highly acclaimed,
02:50with each new iteration having honored it in some way.
03:02Number 8. An American in Paris
03:04Although many forms of dance are represented on stage,
03:18ballet is one that usually doesn't get the spotlight. Many theatrical performances utilize
03:23high-energy numbers and moves to keep the audience engaged, but An American in Paris
03:28went in the opposite direction. Even pieces that seemed purely theatrical are infused with graceful
03:33and slightly more subdued dancing, all while still remaining fun for those in the crowd.
03:50The juxtaposition of the typically jazzy instrumental alongside the traditional
03:53ballet leaves an immediate impression. The choreographer was unafraid of the potential
03:58risks, even including multiple dream ballet sequences where the characters performed to
04:03wordless songs. The result was something never before seen on the stage, maintaining the film's
04:08legacy while also setting itself apart. Number 7. Billy Elliot the Musical
04:29And I'm free, I'm free!
04:37Choreography is sometimes used as a vehicle for the characters' emotions.
04:40No musical portrays that better than the adaptation of Billy Elliot. The stage production built off
04:46the foundation laid down by the original work, elevating the routines and increasing their
04:50importance to the overall story. There's not a single movement that doesn't mean something in
04:55the show, and it's so rich. It's a joy to teach, an honor to be a part of that kind of process.
05:02Several different forms of dance were utilized throughout, from tap to ballet to gymnastics.
05:07The various types help keep the audience on their toes, while showing how important the art form is
05:12to the protagonist. The dancing not only allows the viewer into Billy's psyche, it also works
05:17as a contrast to the strike happening alongside it. The interpretation was wildly successful,
05:33sweeping that year's Tonys with ease, and after watching just one performance,
05:37it's clear to see why.
05:39Oi, Rudolf Nureyev! Over here!
05:50Number 6. A Chorus Line
05:53While dance is an extremely beloved and important art form, it doesn't come without its drawbacks.
06:11One production where the positives and negatives are equally embraced is A Chorus Line. The story
06:16centers around a group of dancers auditioning for a musical and completely hinges on the
06:21choreography, as it represents not just the plot, but each character as well.
06:38Each song allows them to individually describe both their passion for the stage,
06:42and the pain it has caused them as a result. The ensemble numbers are quintessential theater,
06:47with an underlying competitive vibe and complex moves fit for a real audition.
06:52It's the ultimate example of a show making movement integral to the plot,
06:56rather than just including it for visual effect.
07:09Number 5. 42nd Street
07:17By this point, tap dancing is essentially a staple of classic Broadway performances,
07:26some of the most iconic ones incorporated in some fashion, and 42nd Street is no exception.
07:32The technical aspects of the steps are uncontested, with audition and the title
07:36track in particular serving timeless and seemingly effortless moves.
07:48However, even more important than the mastery is the emotion behind it. It's set during the
07:57Great Depression, meaning the dancing also had to serve as a form of escapism for the characters.
08:02It does that perfectly, injecting the sad circumstances of the story with pure joy.
08:08The energetic dances perfectly showcase the importance of the arts in hard times,
08:12making it one of the most pertinent shows in theater history.
08:15Think of Broadway, damn it! Come on along and listen to the lullaby of Broadway.
08:27Number 4. Newsies
08:38A show based around a strike requires a certain level of energy to pull off,
08:42and this one has it in spades. Newsies is centered around a group of newspaper-selling
08:47teens protesting their poor working conditions. What better way to portray
08:51this than with seemingly gravity-defying moves? With constant leaps, acrobatics,
09:04and partner-based work, it is a masterclass in pairing intense choreography with impeccable
09:09vocals. The dancing perfectly reflects the plot, firing up the audience and making them
09:14root even harder for the heroes. However, it doesn't overpower the actual story,
09:19striking a balance that helped it become a critical and commercial success. It's perfectly
09:24clear why it's won every dance-based award it's been nominated for since premiering in 2011.
09:36Number 3. West Side Story
09:40When thinking of masterfully choreographed shows, this is often one of the first to come to mind.
09:54Taking from multiple different cultures, the dancing in West Side Story becomes a perfect
09:58theatrical melting pot. The larger ensemble numbers are the true standout, where the two
10:03groups get to express their intense rivalry through dance alone. What sets it apart from
10:17its contemporaries is the method in which dance is utilized. The actors were given more freedom
10:22in their movements, adding a sense of realism to the production while allowing them to show
10:27off more of their natural talent. This comes through both on the stage and screen, creating
10:31an atmosphere that immediately draws the audience in and leaves them wanting more.
10:46Number 2. Chicago
11:02It doesn't get much more iconic than this. Bob Fosse was known as one of the most accomplished
11:07choreographers in theater, and for good reason. Seemingly everything he touched turned to gold.
11:25Whether he was focusing on a dancer's allure, like in Sweet Charity, or their theatricality,
11:30he had a way of infusing magic into each routine.
11:44His style comes through best in Chicago. The 1920s-inspired sequences had a perfect blend
11:49of intricate steps and classic jazzier moves, creating a truly timeless experience that has
11:54only gotten better with age. The cliché is to talk about the isolation in work, but it really is,
11:59it's the key to the work. It's not choreography just for choreography's sake.
12:04Newer iterations of the show keep the original routines in mind, maintaining Fosse's legacy
12:09while also modernizing it. It's no wonder it's become the second-longest-running musical in
12:14Broadway history. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
12:27MJ the Musical. The routines were infused with some of the legend's most iconic dance moves.
12:46Moulin Rouge. The pop-laden production combined multiple styles of dance.
12:58Movin' Out. The unconventional display used choreography to convey what words couldn't.
13:20Pippin. Fosse used dance to transform the traditionally cute show into something much
13:29darker.
13:38Stop. The intricate choreography leaves no room for error.
13:57The
14:03show's most iconic dance moves were inspired by the classical dance of the
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14:20Cats. While the general reactions to the show are mixed, something that can never be questioned
14:33is its choreography. Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats is regarded as one of the most technically
14:38difficult to hit the stage, and for good reason. There's a perfect blend of several different
14:43movement styles, ranging from jazz to modern. It wasn't enough to just learn the moves, however.
15:00The actors also had to be trained in the art of moving like an animal. The effect paid off
15:05in spades, creating an illusion that has yet to be matched in contemporary theater.
15:09It ended up defying all expectations, becoming England's first real dance-centered production,
15:15and changing the way it was viewed in the theater world for good.
15:24Which Broadway show do you think has the most impressive choreography?
15:33Let us know in the comments below.
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