Photo: Julieta Cervantes (2)
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Ioana Alfonso
Julieta Cervantes
“I remember feeling it was so incredible because it was so electric, athletic and engaging emotionally. That was probably the moment I knew I wanted to do that,” she recalls, adding that she eventually enrolled at Joe Michaels Dance Studio, “where the same Mia Michaels later became my teacher.”
Dancin’is a big career milestone for the performer. “When I got the call that I had been cast in the show I burst into tears,” she says. “It’s hard to describe how I felt in words because this opportunity has so much meaning to me on so many different levels.”
02of 23Yeman BrownJulieta CervantesBrown has “always been a dancer,” he says. However, he knew that he wanted to dance professionally after seeing a touring production of the long-running Broadway musicalWicked.“When I learned that I was offered to join the cast ofDancin', I was shocked,” he admits. “I couldn’t believe that out of all of the brilliantly talented people I had auditioned with, I’d been selected. It took months of facing bouts of imposter syndrome to accept that I was on this journey for a reason. Thanks to encouragement from [director] Wayne [Cilento] and the cast, I’ve been encouraged to allow myself to fully show up.”
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Yeman Brown
Brown has “always been a dancer,” he says. However, he knew that he wanted to dance professionally after seeing a touring production of the long-running Broadway musicalWicked.
“When I learned that I was offered to join the cast ofDancin', I was shocked,” he admits. “I couldn’t believe that out of all of the brilliantly talented people I had auditioned with, I’d been selected. It took months of facing bouts of imposter syndrome to accept that I was on this journey for a reason. Thanks to encouragement from [director] Wayne [Cilento] and the cast, I’ve been encouraged to allow myself to fully show up.”
03of 23Peter John ChursinJulieta CervantesChursin began dancing when he was 5 years old. “I loved all aspects of it — watching music videos, performing in youth musical theater groups, dancing in my living room to old episodes ofAmerican Bandstand,” he explains. “It has always been my life, and there were simply no other options but to dance.“Doing this show “has been a childhood dream come true,” he says. “So much of my career has simply been following the path as it unfolds, but this is a moment where I get to check a specific box off the dream accomplishment list.”
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Peter John Chursin
Chursin began dancing when he was 5 years old. “I loved all aspects of it — watching music videos, performing in youth musical theater groups, dancing in my living room to old episodes ofAmerican Bandstand,” he explains. “It has always been my life, and there were simply no other options but to dance.”
Doing this show “has been a childhood dream come true,” he says. “So much of my career has simply been following the path as it unfolds, but this is a moment where I get to check a specific box off the dream accomplishment list.”
04of 23Dylis CromanJulieta Cervantes"Dance chose me,” says Croman, who adds that she always had a “strong passion for dance” throughout her childhood.She describes being cast inDancin’as a “special gift” since she can honor her mentor — acclaimed dancer Ann Reinking, who was in the original production of Fosse’s musical revue when it first opened on Broadway in 1978.“My favorite moment inDancin’is ‘I Wanna Be a Dancin’ Man' because of its prayer-like quality in sentiment and the fact that we really get to dance fully and go for broke at the end,” she explains. “It’s a true classic of Bob Fosse’s.”
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Dylis Croman
“Dance chose me,” says Croman, who adds that she always had a “strong passion for dance” throughout her childhood.
She describes being cast inDancin’as a “special gift” since she can honor her mentor — acclaimed dancer Ann Reinking, who was in the original production of Fosse’s musical revue when it first opened on Broadway in 1978.
“My favorite moment inDancin’is ‘I Wanna Be a Dancin’ Man' because of its prayer-like quality in sentiment and the fact that we really get to dance fully and go for broke at the end,” she explains. “It’s a true classic of Bob Fosse’s.”
05of 23Jōvan DansberryJulieta CervantesWatching Janet Jackson’s All For You Tour at age 12, Dansberry looked over at his parents and said, “I want to do that,” he recalls. " I’ve been hooked on Janet and her dancers ever since. I’m still waiting for the opportunity to dance for her.“InDancin', he says, “I love the moment when the beat drops for the first time in our opening number, ‘Crunchy Granola Suite.’ There’s a huge build up for the cast, as if we all have a little secret. Then, all of a sudden, the music kicks in, the audience screams, and — for the next two hours — we all go on this amazing ride together!”
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Jōvan Dansberry
Watching Janet Jackson’s All For You Tour at age 12, Dansberry looked over at his parents and said, “I want to do that,” he recalls. " I’ve been hooked on Janet and her dancers ever since. I’m still waiting for the opportunity to dance for her.”
InDancin', he says, “I love the moment when the beat drops for the first time in our opening number, ‘Crunchy Granola Suite.’ There’s a huge build up for the cast, as if we all have a little secret. Then, all of a sudden, the music kicks in, the audience screams, and — for the next two hours — we all go on this amazing ride together!”
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Karli Dinardo
As time went on, Dinardo enrolled in “more and more dance classes” until she eventually found Broadway success. One of her favorite moments inDancin', she says, “is actually when I walk out at the beginning of the show, that moment where there’s no music, I get to take in the audience, take a breath and then begin.” She explains, “The energy is magic, and I feel full of gratitude each time.”
07of 23Tony d’AlelioJulieta CervantesAfter watching tapes of his mother performing, d’Alelio knew that he was destined to follow in her footsteps. “As long as I can remember, when music played I’ve felt called to move my body,” he says.D’Alelio makes his Broadway debut inDancin’following Broadway’s yearlong hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “After problem-solving and making things work as an artist throughout a pandemic, getting cast in this show felt like I was being given a gift for my patience and hard work,” he says. “I’m proud to be a part of this company because we are all incredibly steadfast in who we are as artists.”
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Tony d’Alelio
After watching tapes of his mother performing, d’Alelio knew that he was destined to follow in her footsteps. “As long as I can remember, when music played I’ve felt called to move my body,” he says.
D’Alelio makes his Broadway debut inDancin’following Broadway’s yearlong hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “After problem-solving and making things work as an artist throughout a pandemic, getting cast in this show felt like I was being given a gift for my patience and hard work,” he says. “I’m proud to be a part of this company because we are all incredibly steadfast in who we are as artists.”
08of 23Aydin EyikanJulieta CervantesWhen it came to his career, Eyikan says there was “no plan B.” His first stage was his family’s living room at their home in Connecticut, where he and his brother “would dance around trying to recreate what we saw onSo You Think You Can Dance.“Of getting cast inDancin', he adds: “There are no words that really encompass how much of a dream come true this is. For years, I have idolized so many of the dancers I’m now sharing a Broadway stage with, and I pinch myself every day. And to be doing such iconic choreography… it couldn’t be more perfect.”
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Aydin Eyikan
When it came to his career, Eyikan says there was “no plan B.” His first stage was his family’s living room at their home in Connecticut, where he and his brother “would dance around trying to recreate what we saw onSo You Think You Can Dance.”
Of getting cast inDancin', he adds: “There are no words that really encompass how much of a dream come true this is. For years, I have idolized so many of the dancers I’m now sharing a Broadway stage with, and I pinch myself every day. And to be doing such iconic choreography… it couldn’t be more perfect.”
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Pedro Garza
When Garza found out that he’d be part of the 22-member company ofDancin', it “was like being seen as that 6-year-old dreamer,” he adds, “and given a chance to honor him.”
10of 23Jacob GuzmanJulieta CervantesGuzman knew he wanted to become a professional dancer when he had to decide which extracurricular activity he wanted to pursue. Between soccer, tennis and dance, “the schedules were getting too much, and I couldn’t imagine not dancing everyday so it felt like the decision was made for me,” he says. “And I never looked back.”
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Jacob Guzman
Guzman knew he wanted to become a professional dancer when he had to decide which extracurricular activity he wanted to pursue. Between soccer, tennis and dance, “the schedules were getting too much, and I couldn’t imagine not dancing everyday so it felt like the decision was made for me,” he says. “And I never looked back.”
11of 23Manuel “Manny” HerreraJulieta CervantesThough Herrera grew up in a dancing family that owned a dance studio, when he was cast inDancin', he thought, “Oh my god! I haveso much work to doandyou gotta get in shape ASAP.“Herrera’s favorite moment thus far in the process ofDancin’was having his two kids attend the dress rehearsal — and seeing their faces afterwards. “It’s the first time they’ve seen their daddy and mommy, associate director Corinne McFadden-Herrera, do all the things, and I think they were really proud of us!” he says.
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Manuel “Manny” Herrera
Though Herrera grew up in a dancing family that owned a dance studio, when he was cast inDancin', he thought, “Oh my god! I haveso much work to doandyou gotta get in shape ASAP.”
Herrera’s favorite moment thus far in the process ofDancin’was having his two kids attend the dress rehearsal — and seeing their faces afterwards. “It’s the first time they’ve seen their daddy and mommy, associate director Corinne McFadden-Herrera, do all the things, and I think they were really proud of us!” he says.
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Afra Hines
She explains, “I love that we are bringing this iconic choreography to a whole new generation and hopefully inspiring young people to learn more about Bob Fosse and his body of work.”
13of 23Gabriel HymanJulieta CervantesBeing cast inDancin’felt like “a dream come true,” says Hyman. “I knew I wanted to become a dancer after watching a performance of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater,” he says. “For the first time I felt represented as a Black male in dance.“One of his favorite moments in the show is when the cast performs “Sing Sing Sing,” he adds: “It’s impossible to not have a good time during that number.”
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Gabriel Hyman
Being cast inDancin’felt like “a dream come true,” says Hyman. “I knew I wanted to become a dancer after watching a performance of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater,” he says. “For the first time I felt represented as a Black male in dance.”
One of his favorite moments in the show is when the cast performs “Sing Sing Sing,” he adds: “It’s impossible to not have a good time during that number.”
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Kolton Krouse
The performer describes being cast inDancin’as “the craziest moment” following theater’s shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “I hadn’t performed on a stage in forever!” Krouse says. “It was super emotional, especially being able to be 100 percent me onstage. I’ve never worked on a show that allowed so much individuality! It’s incredible to witness everyone doing them during the show!”
15of 23Mattie LoveJulieta CervantesLike a few of her fellowDancin’cast members, Love knew she wanted to become a professional performer after seeing the original Broadway cast ofWicked. “I remember at 10 years old sitting in the audience realizing I could make this dream a career,” she says. “A little girl who grew up on a cattle farm in Layton, Utah, could move to the big city and be on Broadway!“Her favorite moment inDancin’comes during the musical number “I Wanna Be a Dancin' Man.” She explains, “We all break off at the end and pick our own ‘Dancin’ Man' moves and have a three-part cannon. I hear and see my whole cast (I’m in the back) individually saying their own prayer and leaving their own footprints on the sand of time, but it’s all together in the same place. Together as one. Our show is a family, and it’s full of love.”
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Mattie Love
Like a few of her fellowDancin’cast members, Love knew she wanted to become a professional performer after seeing the original Broadway cast ofWicked. “I remember at 10 years old sitting in the audience realizing I could make this dream a career,” she says. “A little girl who grew up on a cattle farm in Layton, Utah, could move to the big city and be on Broadway!”
Her favorite moment inDancin’comes during the musical number “I Wanna Be a Dancin' Man.” She explains, “We all break off at the end and pick our own ‘Dancin’ Man' moves and have a three-part cannon. I hear and see my whole cast (I’m in the back) individually saying their own prayer and leaving their own footprints on the sand of time, but it’s all together in the same place. Together as one. Our show is a family, and it’s full of love.”
16of 23Krystal MackieJulieta CervantesMackie was following in her sisters' footsteps when she began dancing at 3 years old. However, she says, “It wasn’t until I was in high school at the LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts when my teacher said, ‘You know youhaveto dance when you wake up everyday, and you tell yourself you have to do this, you can’t envision your life without it.’ That next morning I woke up and felt that, and from that day on I said Ihaveto do this.“When she found out she was cast inDancin', Mackie was on tour with the hit musicalHamilton. “[I] was in the middle of the show when my agent emailed me. I literally looked at the email and screamed, ‘WHAT?!’ I couldn’t believe what I was reading! I ran to drop my phone to stage management to tell them and ran back on stage. Once I finished the show I called my dad, and we were both so excited. I hadtwodays to pack my stuff from tour, make my way back home to start rehearsals for the show,” she says. “I truly couldn’t believe that my dream was coming true.”
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Krystal Mackie
Mackie was following in her sisters' footsteps when she began dancing at 3 years old. However, she says, “It wasn’t until I was in high school at the LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts when my teacher said, ‘You know youhaveto dance when you wake up everyday, and you tell yourself you have to do this, you can’t envision your life without it.’ That next morning I woke up and felt that, and from that day on I said Ihaveto do this.”
When she found out she was cast inDancin', Mackie was on tour with the hit musicalHamilton. “[I] was in the middle of the show when my agent emailed me. I literally looked at the email and screamed, ‘WHAT?!’ I couldn’t believe what I was reading! I ran to drop my phone to stage management to tell them and ran back on stage. Once I finished the show I called my dad, and we were both so excited. I hadtwodays to pack my stuff from tour, make my way back home to start rehearsals for the show,” she says. “I truly couldn’t believe that my dream was coming true.”
17of 23Yani MarinJulieta CervantesMarin knew she wanted to pursue dance from an early age. “I was 4 years old at my first dance recital, on my tippy toes, pretending to be a butterfly,” she recalls. “It was liberating!“So when she got cast inDancin', she adds, “I was beyond shocked. I’d hung up my dancing shoes ten years earlier and was in what I felt like the worst shape of my life, post pandemic. I’m grateful to have thejoyof dance back in my life… while I still can.”
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Yani Marin
Marin knew she wanted to pursue dance from an early age. “I was 4 years old at my first dance recital, on my tippy toes, pretending to be a butterfly,” she recalls. “It was liberating!”
So when she got cast inDancin', she adds, “I was beyond shocked. I’d hung up my dancing shoes ten years earlier and was in what I felt like the worst shape of my life, post pandemic. I’m grateful to have thejoyof dance back in my life… while I still can.”
18of 23Nando MorlandJulieta CervantesFor Morland, dance is more than just an art form — it is community. “There wasn’t a specific moment I can remember [wanting to become a dancer]. I just kept loving the people dance brought into my life,” he says. “I followed the music, the rigor, the shared experience… And here I am!“InDancin', he continues to enjoy the moments he’s sharing the stage with his fellow cast members. “My favorite moment from the show is when we’re all facing back in ‘Sing Sing Sing,’ stepping together in unison and revving up with the drums,” he explains. “It feels we’re like a pack of animals about to hunt — and the prey is the dance.”
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Nando Morland
For Morland, dance is more than just an art form — it is community. “There wasn’t a specific moment I can remember [wanting to become a dancer]. I just kept loving the people dance brought into my life,” he says. “I followed the music, the rigor, the shared experience… And here I am!”
InDancin', he continues to enjoy the moments he’s sharing the stage with his fellow cast members. “My favorite moment from the show is when we’re all facing back in ‘Sing Sing Sing,’ stepping together in unison and revving up with the drums,” he explains. “It feels we’re like a pack of animals about to hunt — and the prey is the dance.”
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Khori Michelle Petinaud
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Ida Saki
Saki describes the musical as “a once-in-a-lifetime kind of show for a dancer,” adding: “I feel beyond grateful to be in it!” One of her favorite moments is when “we circle up right before the show begins,” Saki says. “We breathe together, get grounded, and say a little mantra. I love starting every show on the same page with my cast members, and it always sets the tone for the rest of the show!”
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Ron Todorowski
His favorite moment throughout the process ofDancin’returning to Broadway was the company’s invited dress rehearsal. “It was our first audience,” Todorowski explains. “Receiving and feeling the love that night after so much hard work was incredible.”
22of 23Neka ZangJulieta CervantesZang was 6 years old when she took part in her first dance recital. Though she describes her younger self as “extremely shy and scared to get out on the stage,” she explains. “As soon as I felt the lights on me and heard the audience’s applause, I knew I was meant to be a performer. I was hooked. I’ve been dancing ever since.“When she was auditioning forDancin', she had been living in Los Angeles and flew back to New York City for several callbacks. “I was sitting in the lounge at the airport heading back to L.A. and got the word I had been cast,” she says. “I started bawling right then and there, and of course called my parents who are my biggest champions ever. This is a show I’ve been waiting for my entire career and walking into this theater every night with Bob Fosse’s name on the marquee is the biggest honor.”
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Neka Zang
Zang was 6 years old when she took part in her first dance recital. Though she describes her younger self as “extremely shy and scared to get out on the stage,” she explains. “As soon as I felt the lights on me and heard the audience’s applause, I knew I was meant to be a performer. I was hooked. I’ve been dancing ever since.”
When she was auditioning forDancin', she had been living in Los Angeles and flew back to New York City for several callbacks. “I was sitting in the lounge at the airport heading back to L.A. and got the word I had been cast,” she says. “I started bawling right then and there, and of course called my parents who are my biggest champions ever. This is a show I’ve been waiting for my entire career and walking into this theater every night with Bob Fosse’s name on the marquee is the biggest honor.”
23of 23Wayne CilentoJulieta CervantesAs the show’s director, Cilento tells PEOPLE: “I’m thrilled to bringDancin’back to Broadway and to be directing this company of extraordinary dancers. It means so much to me, especially since I was a member of the original production.“He adds, “I think this revival not only honors Bob Fosse’s legacy, but will also introduce a whole new audience to his work. Above all else, I think we have put together two hours of pure joy and entertainment, and who doesn’t want that?!”
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Wayne Cilento
As the show’s director, Cilento tells PEOPLE: “I’m thrilled to bringDancin’back to Broadway and to be directing this company of extraordinary dancers. It means so much to me, especially since I was a member of the original production.”
He adds, “I think this revival not only honors Bob Fosse’s legacy, but will also introduce a whole new audience to his work. Above all else, I think we have put together two hours of pure joy and entertainment, and who doesn’t want that?!”
source: people.com
