Update: The contest is closed. We have a winner. To see videos of some of your selections, go to Broadway’s Best Dances
Ticket Giveaway: Win two tickets to see “Forever Tango,” a compilation of Argentinian music and dance on its third go-round on Broadway — the first show of the 2013-2014 Broadway season. It features a vocalist, an 11-piece orchestra and 16 tango dancers– among them “Dancing with the Stars” duo Karina Smirnoff and Maksim Chmerkovskiy through July 28th.
“Forever Tango” begins performances at Broadway’s Walter Kerr Theater on Tuesday, July 9, 2013 and runs through Sunday, September 15, 2013.
To enter the contest, answer this question:
What single dance number was the best you ever saw on Broadway? Please describe it and explain why it was your favorite.
1. Please put your answer in the comments at the bottom of this blog post, because the winner will be chosen through Random.org based on the order of your reply, not its content.
But you must answer the questions, fully (a description and an explanation) or your entry will not be approved for submission.
2. Please include in your answer your Twitter name and follow my Twitter feed at @NewYorkTheater so that I can send you a direct message. (If you don’t have a Twitter name, create one. It’s free.)
3. This contest ends Monday, July 1, 2013 at midnight Eastern Time, and I will make the drawing no later than noon the next day. You must respond to my direct message on Twitter within 24 hours or I will choose another winner.
You must also be able to attend one of the eligible performances. The voucher is good for two tickets for weekday performances during the month of July, 2013.
Only one comment per contestant please. (You will be disqualified if you submit more than once, so please make sure you have all the requirements — such as your Twitter name — before submitting. All submissions have to be approved, so you won’t necessarily see your entry right away.)
There’s something about the tap number (Turn It Off) in The Book of Mormon that I absolutely love. Unexpected and fantastic (plus the clever “clap on/clap off” bit is great. (@ldurfee)
The best dance number I’ve ever seen on Broadway was in “Movin’ Out.” While I didn’t like the show itself, the dancing was phenomenal, especially the Twyla Tharp’s choreography for the song “Scenes From An Italian Restaurant.”
I hope I win these tickets. I really want to see this show!! My Twitter name is MimiJudith. Thanks!
I absolutely love the creative tapdancing-on-newspapers and flipping awesomeness of the big “Seize The Day” dance number in ‘Newsies’! 🙂 @ladystardust25 on Twitter
The best dance number that I saw on Broadway was the big namesake show stopper in 42nd street revivial. Tapping is still one of the great things on Broadway, and when you see a large group moving smoothly and in sync, nothing is better. @bbwithpickles on twitter
Perhaps this is an obvious answer, but “Anything Goes” in 2011’s “Anything Goes.” Sutton Foster. Ten minutes of tap dancing. Belted note at the end. What else are we going to the musical theater for if not that?
@ArtWineWhimsy
I agree with “Anything Goes” and “Turn It Off.” I also loved “Step In Time” from Mary Poppins! Dozens of chimney sweeps with impressive dance moves, including tap (gets me every time) – and of course, the show-stopping dance up and down the walls. Upside-down magic!
@RachHadley
I think it was Masquerade from Phantom of the Opera because the sound just filled the theater and the costumes and movement on the stage was mesmerizing. It was in sync yet everywhere you looked you saw something different going on,
I think the best dance number I’ve seen on Broadway was “Bring on the Men” in the 2013 revival of Jekyll and Hyde. Lucy stood on a riser as women danced around the men in the brothel, making excellent use of rope and other props. Although I wasn’t a fan of Cox’s voice, this song was written for her. It was my favorite dance number because I was as entranced by the women dancing as the men on stage were. It was a very captivating number. @shutyourmouth03 on twitter.
The best dance number I saw on Broadway was 42nd Street from 42nd Street. I was a kid when I saw it and it made me want to be up on stage with the dancers even though I have two left feet. @DrawingCalmness
“Swing, Swing, Swing” from Dancin’, which was later recreated for the musical “Fosse”. It was a wonderful number that starts out pretty fast and, as the music builds and gets faster and faster, the dancing gets more deliciously franctic. The moves are Fosse-trademarks taken to extremes and his choreography melded body movements to the music. The musical “Swing” tried its own version of “Swing, Swing, Swing” but nothing could surpass the Fosse version.The jumping, the sudden changes in direction, the quick introduction of new dancers into the mix–those fabulous eight or twelve minutes have never been topped in my estimation. @Queerbec
My favorite dance number that I’ve seen on broadway is “You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out” from “A Christmas Story”. The tap number that a young boy named Luke Spring performed was jaw-dropping and I’ve never seen a child perform so well on a broadway stage!
Jerry Mitchell’s“The Indian of the Dawn” in The Will Rogers Follies. People still talk about it. It’s not only legendary, it was the inspiration for the first Broadway Bares fundraiser at SPLASH. This singular bit of choreography, danced by Jerry Mitchell wearing almost nothing, indirectly, has raised countless dollars for people living with AIDS & BCEFA. @ahrmi
You’ll shoot your eye out from a Christmas Story is one of the best dance numbers produced on the broadway stage in years. I was close to tears when the talent of the little tap dancing boy burst onto the stage and into the song. It is heart stopping. @bway1497
My favorite Broadway dance number was “Electricity” in Billy Elliot. Not only was the young boy’s ballet/modern dancing absolutely brilliant and thrilling, but it was filled with emotion and passion. He was able to convey his feelings and story through this dance number at the school in front of his father, and I was moved and excited. @mymusicboxes
What a wonderful giveaway!
it´s easy; You´ll shoot your eye out from A christmas carol. In my 27 year old life I have never seen a performance like that. It blew my away. I was so moved about the boy that I couldn´t stop crying. His emotions was so real and honest @EmelyDrugge Thank you!
Brotherhood of Man from How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. I was absolutely blown away – the energy and enthusiasm brought.down.the.house. @gubbabump thanks!
Buenos Aires in the Evita revival. Always.
@NatKatNYC
Dancing is what I have the least bit of opinion of in any show, but Turn it off was funny and made me laugh. @ movidude74
Brotherhood of Man from the 2011 Revival of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying is hands down the best dance number I’ve seen on Broadway. Each kick, jump, arm toss were so sharp and in sync it’s perfection. When all the business men get in the big group at the end it’s amazing. It was the first dance number that ever brought tears to my eyes. @bridg4491
Twitter handle: @alesandrak
It was really hard for me to choose so I just went with what came to mind first- “Material Girl” from Priscilla. Visually it wasn’t much, just a dollar sign in the background and that’s it. But Nick’s entrance descending on that dollar sign, the wardrobe change and the nonstop energy he had was a stellar way to get you really into the show.
I saw the original “Pippin” and was mesmerized by the Manson Trio number. It was my first Fosse experience (and I was too young to even know who he was then) and watching Ben Vereen in person was just amazing. I had never seen such precise moves like that before and it gave me an appreciation for choreography that no other musical had done before.
@ellenronnie
I’d have to go with Spring Awakening with choreography by Bill T. Jones–so many of the numbers, but perhaps “The Bitch of Living” as my favorite…defiant, energized, acrobatic, playful. @lyndacc
Pippin’s “On the Right Track”. Not only does Patina Miller and Matthew James Thomas execute the Fosse moves impeccably, they also nail the intricate harmonies effortlessly. Truly the most enjoyable and uplifting part of the show! @mingyuanlow