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Dance...dance...dance...A trend for the new Millenium?

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Since 1901, when George M.Cohan's musical,"The Governor's Son", was presented to an eager audience of theatre goers , the 20th century has seen musicals run the gamut of subjects, styles and venues. The 1900's saw the talents of composers like Irving Berlin, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Steven Sondheim rise to become household names for the vast majority.

Now, as the 21st century begins, it will be interesting to follow the trends in the musical theatre industry. If we take a look at those shows currently playing in New York City, both on Broadway and off Broadway, two trends are emerging.The revival(a re-make of a popular musical) is big with audiences as are the high energy dance spectaculars.

"Cabaret",the show that helped propel Liza Minnelli's rise to fame, is currently playing as a revival at New York's Studio 54. "Kiss Me Kate", Cole Porter's musical, is enjoying a revival run on Broadway at the Martin Beck Theatre. And who could forget Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's "Jesus Christ Superstar", which is playing at the Ford Centre for the Performing Arts. Bernadette Peters, a long time favorite Broadway singer, along with Tom Wopat (Dukes of Hazzard) are reviving Irving Berlin's "Annie Get your Gun" (http://www.Anniegetyourgun.com) at the Marquis Theatre. Even Meredith Wilson's, The Music Man, is still enjoying rvival runs at the Neil Simon Theatre in the big apple. And if one wandered off Broadway to the Blue Angel Theatre, Our Sinatra, a tribute to the late Frank Sinatra fills the theatre with lots of 'old blue eyes' famous tunes along with the occasional anecdote.

Although many old favorites continue making comebacks, there is something taking over the musical theatre scene more so than ever. It seems that everybody wants dance...dance...dance! The tribute musical,"Fosse", (http://www.Fossethemusical.com) is a journey in song & dance through the life and music of one of Broadway's most gifted choreographers, Bob Fosse. Fosse's also got "Chicago" (http://www.Chicagothemusical.com) running on Broadway at the Sam. S. Schubert theatre, treating audiences to the music of Kander and Ebb. And if you're into the swing dance craze of late then the musical, "Swing" (http://SwingonBroadway.com), playing at the St. James theatre, combines great dancers, world class swing dance champions, a hot band and nightclub header, Ann Hampton for a rousing evening of song & dance and hot romance. "Riverdance" still runs at the Gershwin Theatre as a popular, high energy dance show and "Stomp",(http://www.stomp.com) now in its 6th year, plays at off Broadway's Orpheum theatre; making music out of everything from old newspapers and plastic bags to large, aluminum kitchen sinks filled with water.