Emerson Colonial Theatre Official Blog

Dancin

From February 14 - March 11, 1978 - during the notorious Blizzard of '78! - the pre-Broadway tryout of Bob Fosse’s DANCIN’ played the Colonial.

The plotless, dance-driven revue is a tribute to the art of dance, and the music is a collection of mostly American songs, many with a dance theme, from a wide variety of styles, from operetta to jazz to classical to pop.

It was during rehearsals for this show that Fosse left a mark on the Colonial, literally! As Ann Reinking recalls, "We were rehearsing for the opening night of Dancin', and Bob Fosse wanted to demonstrate a new tap routine. But the stage was being used for a chorus number, and all the other floor space in the theatre was carpeted, so Bob used the next best thing: the onyx table in the Ladies' Lounge." This left a chip on the edge of the table that you can still see today! Ever since, the table has been considered good luck. 

Boston Globe critics Kevin Kelly said of the show, "I'm wild for the best parts of Dancin' and I can't wait to see it again. The potential is enormous, the cast is spectacular (particularly Ann Reinking and Charles Ward), the scenery is stylized wizardry, the lighting is the work of a genius, and the orchestra - in its shift of mood and manner - is remarkable."

DANCIN’ went on to open on Broadway on March 27, 1978 where it ran until June 27, 1982. It was nominated for seven and won two Tony Awards, for choreography and lighting design.