Feb. 09--Chicago is getting another pre-Broadway tryout: "Gotta Dance," a new musical based on a 2008 Dori Berinstein documentary about the New Jersey Nets' hip-hop dance team made up of senior citizens. The documentary followed the neophyte team of 12 women and one man from auditions through their public performance.
The new musical will be directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell, the director of "Kinky Boots" and the upcoming Gloria and Emilio Estefan musical, "On Your Feet." Both of those shows picked Chicago for their pre-Broadway debuts.
The blue-chip creative team for the musical brings together includes a book by Chad Beguelin ("Aladdin") and Bob Martin ("The Drowsy Chaperone"), original music by Matthew Sklar ("Elf") and the late Marvin Hamlisch and lyrics by Nell Benjamin ("Legally Blonde"). Hamlisch worked on the score for the show prior to his death in 2012. His work was completed by Sklar.
"Gotta Dance" begins performances in Chicago Dec. 13 and runs through Jan. 17, 2016; tickets are not yet on sale. The Broadway opening is anticipated for the spring of 2016. "On Your Feet" will play at the Oriental Theatre June 2 to July 5; tickets go on sale Friday at broadwayinchicago.com.
