Director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell seems to have the magic touch with Broadway-bound debuts such as Kinky Boots and On Your Feet. He is now hoping to hit it again with this production based on a true story.
Ten determined individuals older than 60 auditioned to dance at a halftime show during a NBA game and then made history.
Tony Award winner Mitchell has not only assembled a dream team of behind-the-scenes artists from past hit Broadway shows, but also brought together classic television stars to make the cast complete. Stefanie Powers (from Hart to Hart) and Georgia Engel (from The Mary Tyler Moore Show) were on hand to bring the experience to life. Lori Tan Chinn (from Orange Is the New Black) demonstrated how to steal a scene with one line and past Windy City Times interviewee Andre De Shields stole the show, hamming it up while teaching the younger people how to dance with style.
A couple of scenes were spotlighted to give spectators a taste of what is to come this holiday season. Mitchell was unable to attend because of the Kinky Boots opening in London, but will return to the Windy City to begin production in the upcoming months.
Look for the show that proves age is just a number to run Dec. 13 through Jan. 10 at the Bank of America Theatre.
Visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com for ticket details and new information.
Photos and text by Jerry Nunn