Let’s Dance is a popular Broadway musical that first opened in 1983. As a successful Broadway show, Let’s Dance has an average running time of 2 hours and 30 minutes, with an intermission. This puts the total estimated length of the full musical at around 150 minutes. However, the exact running time can vary slightly depending on the pacing of the particular performance.
What is the story and background of Let’s Dance?
Let’s Dance tells the story of a passionate young dancer named Nikki who dreams of making it big on Broadway in the 1950s. The musical follows Nikki’s journey as she auditions for parts, falls in love, and tries to navigate the ups and downs of the entertainment industry. Along the way, she befriends other aspiring dancers and performers as they all chase their dreams of stardom.
The musical includes original songs by Tony Award-winning composer Marvin Hamlisch and writer Craig Carnelia. Some of the notable numbers include “Let’s Dance,” “Flying,” and “I Want to Be a Dancer.” Choreography for the original production was done by the famed Broadway choreographer Bob Fosse.
Let’s Dance first premiered on Broadway in 1983. The original production starred actress Karen Ziemba as Nikki and ran for 198 performances. Though not an immediate smash hit, the musical received positive reviews and later gained popularity through stock productions and tours.
In 1986, Let’s Dance was adapted into a movie starring actress Valerie Perrine in the lead role. However, the film version did not achieve the same success as the stage production.
Over the years, Let’s Dance has remained a popular choice for regional, amateur, and school productions thanks to its upbeat story and rousing dance numbers. The themes of following your dreams and persevering in the face of adversity have continued to resonate with audiences.
What is the structure and format of the musical?
As a full-length Broadway musical, Let’s Dance has two acts with an intermission in between. Each act runs approximately 75 minutes each.
The musical numbers and scenes drive the story forward in a relatively linear narrative focused on Nikki’s journey. The plot progresses from her initial aspirations to make it as a dancer to the challenges she faces trying to break into Broadway. The show includes fun and lively dance numbers as well as emotional ballads.
Some of the major scenes and songs include:
- Act 1
- “Let’s Dance” – Opening number introducing Nikki and the other dancers.
- “One Step at a Time” – Nikki determined to make her dreams come true.
- “Flying” – An emotional ballad after Nikki faces rejection.
- “Laughing Matters” – An upbeat tap dance number.
- Act 2
- “On My Own” – Nikki feels lonely and wonders if she has what it takes.
- “All I Need is Love” – Nikki finds romance with a musician.
- “The Audition” – Nikki gets her big break auditioning for a Broadway show.
- “I Want to Be a Dancer” – Nikki reflects on her journey and passion for dance.
- “Finale” – Reprise of “Let’s Dance” as Nikki takes the stage.
In addition to these production numbers, the show also has dialog scenes that advance the plot between musical selections. The casting generally includes a lead role of Nikki plus an ensemble of supporting dancers, singers, and actors.
What is the creative team behind Let’s Dance?
Here are the key creatives involved in the original Broadway production of Let’s Dance:
- Music: Marvin Hamlisch – Renowned composer of musicals like A Chorus Line and films like The Sting. Won multiple Tony Awards, Oscars, Grammys, and Emmys over his storied career.
- Lyrics: Craig Carnelia – Frequent collaborator with Hamlisch and writer of musicals like Three Postcards. Also penned the lyrics for the Broadway hit Sweet Smell of Success.
- Book: Peter Stone – Notable Broadway librettist and screenwriter known for 1776, Titanic, and Charade. Wrote the book for Let’s Dance.
- Choreography: Bob Fosse – Legendary choreographer and director who revolutionized Broadway dance. Major works include Chicago and Cabaret.
- Director: Bob Fosse – In addition to choreography, Fosse also directed the original production.
- Producer: Bernard Jacobs – Influential producer and president of the Shubert Organization, which backed the show.
This accomplished creative team is one reason why Let’s Dance stood out among other musicals of its era and remains popular today. The show earned Tony Award nominations for Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, and Best Choreography in 1984.
What is the typical song list and musical numbers?
Let’s Dance has a soundtrack made up of lively musical theatre-style songs ranging from ballads to dance numbers. Here is a rundown of the full song list from the show:
Song Title | Character |
---|---|
“Overture” | Instrumental |
“Let’s Dance” | Nikki and Company |
“One Step at a Time” | Nikki |
“Out There” | Joe |
“Flying” | Nikki |
“That’s Life” | Suzie |
“Laughing Matters” | Nikki and Dancers |
“Entr’acte: Let’s Dance Ballet” | Instrumental |
“On My Own” | Nikki |
“All I Need Is Love” | Nikki and Joe |
“Go Into Your Dance” | Nikki, Joe, and Company |
“The Audition” | Nikki |
“I Want to Be a Dancer” | Nikki |
“Finale” | Full Company |
The upbeat group numbers like “Let’s Dance” and “Laughing Matters” allow for dynamic dancing and choreography. Meanwhile, the solos showcase emotional vulnerability as Nikki sings about her dreams in “Flying” and “On My Own.” The romance between Nikki and Joe comes through in “All I Need Is Love.”
Who are some notable actors that have starred in productions of Let’s Dance?
As Let’s Dance has been staged over the years, it has attracted many talented Broadway stars and other actors to take on the lead roles. Here are some standout performers who have played key parts:
- Karen Ziemba – Originated the role of Nikki in the 1983 Broadway premiere. Won a Tony Award for her performance.
- Valerie Perrine – Played Nikki in the 1986 film adaptation. Known for roles in Superman and Lenny.
- Stephanie Knox – Portrayed Nikki in the popular 1990 West End revival in London.
- Leslie Uggams – Emmy and Tony winning actress who played Nikki on tour in the late 1990s.
- Kara Lindsay – Played Nikki in Paper Mill Playhouse’s 2004 production. Went on to perform in Wicked and Newsies.
- Chryssie Whitehead – Cast as Nikki in the 2007 Broadway revival staged at the Minskoff Theatre.
Other notable performers who have taken on supporting roles like Suzie, Joe, and others include Lea Salonga, Micky Dolenz, Anika Larsen, and Noah Racey.
How has Let’s Dance been adapted for film and television?
In addition to many theatre productions over the decades, Let’s Dance has also been adapted into filmed versions:
- 1986 Feature Film – The most well-known adaptation is the 1986 movie starring Valerie Perrine, directed and choreographed by Jeff Hornaday. It had modest success at the box office.
- 1991 PBS Broadcast – A performance filmed at Ford’s Theatre in Washington D.C. aired on PBS’ Great Performances series. Elaine Bromka played Nikki.
- 2004 Live Recording – A stage production at Paper Mill Playhouse starring Kara Lindsay was filmed for DVD. This version is popular for school and amateur rentals.
While not as frequently adapted as some other Broadway shows, these few video versions have helped expand the reach and visibility of Let’s Dance for audiences who may not get to see a live stage performance.
How does Let’s Dance compare to other popular musicals in length?
At around 150 minutes including an intermission, Let’s Dance has a similar estimated runtime as many other famous Broadway musicals. Here’s how it compares to some shows of similar scale and genre:
Musical | Estimated Length |
---|---|
Let’s Dance | 150 minutes |
West Side Story | 155 minutes |
Singin’ in the Rain | 150 minutes |
Dreamgirls | 135 minutes |
Follies | 150 minutes |
A Chorus Line | 140 minutes |
This runtime allows the story, character development, and multiple production numbers to progress at a comfortable pace. While every musical is unique, the 2 1/2 hour length with intermission is typical of large Broadway shows from this era.
Conclusion
In summary, the original Broadway production of the musical Let’s Dance ran approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes including a 15 minute intermission. With a full two act structure and over a dozen memorable songs, the show provides an entertaining experience for audiences while telling an uplifting story about following your dreams. The music by Marvin Hamlisch, text by Craig Carnelia, and choreography by Bob Fosse all work together to create a cohesive musical theatre production. Whether seen live on stage or adapted for screen, Let’s Dance continues to be a crowd-pleasing show thanks to its familiar length and format.