GOTTA DANCE Extends Pre-Broadway Run in Chicago

Producers Dori Berinstein and Bill Damaschke have announced that Gotta Dance, the new Broadway-bound musical comedy about professional basketball's first ever aged 60-and-older dance team, has extended one week on the heels of its first performance in Chicago on December 13. The pre-Broadway World Premiere of Gotta Dance will now play through January 17, 2016, at Broadway In Chicago's Bank of America Theatre (18 W Monroe St, Chicago), before opening on Broadway in the Fall of 2016.

The Gotta Dance team includes Tony Award nominee André De Shields, five-time Emmy Award nominee Georgia Engel, television and film icon Stefanie Powers (in her Broadway debut), Tony Award-winner Lillias White, Haven Burton, Lori Tan Chinn, Joanna Jones (NBC's "Sing Off"), Nancy Ticotin, Alexander Aguilar, Adinah Alexander, Sydni Beaudoin, Holly Ann Butler, Paula Caselton, Murphy Cross, Madeleine Doherty, Tracy Jai Edwards, Ari Groover, Colby Lewis, Lenora Nemetz, Lance Roberts, Elise Santora, Jonalyn Saxer, Austin Scott III, Kay Walbye, and Virginia Ann Woodruff.

Gotta Dance brings together an all-star creative team that includes a book by Tony Award- nominee Chad Beguelin (Aladdin) and Tony Award-winner Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone), music by Tony and Emmy Award nominee Matthew Sklar (Elf) and lyrics by Tony Award-nominee Nell Benjamin (Legally Blonde), with additional music by Marvin Hamlisch (an Emmy, Grammy, Tony and Oscar winner) and direction and choreography by Tony Award-winner Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots), with co-choreography by Nick Kenkel.

One remarkable dance team. One big chance. One small twist. You gotta be over 60. Gotta Dance is the incredible true story of ten determined dreamers who audition to dance at half time for a major NBA team. They have three things in common: they love to dance, they have something to prove, and they are all over 60. It isn't until they make the cut that they find out they won't be dancing tap, salsa or swing-they are going to bring down the house with a style that's entirely new to them: hip hop. Don't miss this original Broadway-bound musical about a group of ordinary seniors with extraordinary dreams as they battle prejudice, self-doubt and each other for a chance to bust a move at center court in front of 20,000 screaming fans.

The creative team of Gotta Dance reunites Mitchell with his Kinky Boots collaborators, including five time Tony Award nominee David Rockwell (Scenic Design), Tony Award-winner Gregg Barnes (Costume Design) and Tony Award-winner Kenneth Posner (Lighting Design), four-time Tony Award nominee Peter Hylenski (Sound Design), Josh Marquette (Hair Design), Jason Lee Courson (Projection Design), Tony Award-winner Larry Hochman (Orchestrations), Charlie Alterman (Musical Director), with casting by Telsey + Company/Craig Burns, CSA.

The Pre-Broadway World Premiere of Gotta Dance is a part of the Broadway In Chicago Fall 2015-16 Season Subscription Series. Tickets ($42-$102) can be purchased by visiting www.BroadwayInChicago.com. Group tickets for 10 or more can be purchased by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710.

Photo by Matthew Murphy

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