I’ve written an extensive and honest review about musicals with no choreography for this blog. That’s the title I came up with and I think it’s a lucky guess. If you aren’t sure what musicals with no choreography are, I have a list of them below: Hairspray, South Pacific, The Wedding Singer, Spring Awakening, Legally Blonde The Musical (musicals with no choreography), Rock of Ages (musicals with no choreography), Grease, Legally Blonde : The Musical , Shrek the Musical, Rocky Horror Show (musicals with no choreography).
In this article, I will talk about “Musicals With No Choreography”. Let’s start.
Of The Best Musical Songs To Dance To
The best musical songs to dance to are the ones that get you out of your seat and onto the dance floor. They don’t have to be fast paced or complicated, but they do have to make you move.
Here are some of our favorites:
“Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey — This is definitely one of the most iconic songs of all time, and it’s no surprise why it’s so popular among musicians, dancers and non-dancers alike! The song has been covered by a number of artists over the years, including Sarah Brightman, who performed it on American Idol in 2005. It was also featured on Glee during Season 1 in 2009.
“I Gotta Feeling” by Black Eyed Peas — This is definitely one of those classic feel good songs that everyone loves dancing to! You can’t help but feel happy when you hear this song playing in the background at parties or clubs.
“You Can’t Stop The Beat” from Hairspray — This show tune from Hairspray has been performed by stars like Amber Riley (who played Mercedes Jones) and John Travolta himself! It’s upbeat rhythm makes it perfect for any occasion where you want people up and dancing!
Best Dance Songs From Musicals
Do You Want To Get Dancing?
Do you want to get dancing?
Musicals are widely known for their songs, dance numbers and choreography. So what happens when you take all three away?
You get the type of musical that doesn’t usually get the spotlight in the West – but is gaining popularity in Japan: no-choreo musicals.
What Is A No-Choreo Musical?
The term “no-choreo” refers to a type of musical where there is no choreography in the traditional sense. The actors stand still on stage, often facing one another, and sing or speak directly to each other. This can include some movement or gestures to convey emotion, but it’s mostly limited to facial expressions and gestures such as pointing at something or moving their hands around while they talk.
In some cases there might be a few simple dance steps thrown in (such as walking from one side of the stage to another), but even then these numbers don’t have any real choreography behind them. It’s more about keeping time with the music rather than following specific steps for each song.
Musical Theatre Songs To Dance To
A lot of musical theatre songs are performed with no choreography. Here are some examples:
“All That Jazz” – Chicago
“One” – Rent
“Seasons of Love” – Rent
“I’ll Cover You (Reprise)” – Rent
“Take Me or Leave Me” – RENT
There are many other examples of musical theatre songs that don’t require any choreography at all. The songs listed above are just a few examples!
Musicals are a great way to get up and move, but sometimes you just want to sit back, relax and enjoy the music!
Here are some songs from musical theatre that don’t require any choreography.
All That Jazz from Chicago
Anything Goes from Anything Goes
Cabaret from Cabaret
Don’t Rain On My Parade from Funny Girl
Don’t Stop Believin’ from Journey to the West End
The Farmer & The Cowman (Reprise) from Oklahoma!
Haus Of Holbein – Six
The show is set in the year 1951 and follows the life of a young man named Martin Luther King, Jr. It is structured as a series of flashbacks that occur during MLK’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. The show includes music from the 1950s such as “Rock Around the Clock”, “In the Still of the Night”, and “Chattanooga Choo Choo”.
The show was first performed by students at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri in December 1992.
Haus Of Holbein – Six
Haus of Holbein’s Six has been called “the most unusual musical ever made” by The New York Times. It is an experience like no other, with no choreography or dialogue – just six performers creating an entire show using only voice, movement, lights and music.
Six features six talented individuals who move through a series of scenes linked together by one simple idea: what is the next thing we will do? The result is a unique theatrical event that engages audiences with its simplicity, humor and inventiveness.
Step In Time – Mary Poppins
Step In Time – Mary Poppins
“Step in Time” is a song from the 1964 Walt Disney musical film Mary Poppins, written by the Sherman Brothers and sung by the chimney sweeps. It was also featured in the sequel film, Saving Mr. Banks (2013).
The opening number of the film, “Step In Time”, is a song about being free to dance and sing. The song is performed by a group of chimney sweeps as they march through London, dancing and singing along with their brooms. A group of chimneysweeps dance and sing as they march through London with their brooms. A group of chimneysweeps dance and sing as they march through London with their brooms.
Step In Time – Mary Poppins
Step In Time is the most famous song from the movie, and no doubt one of the most iconic musical numbers in film history. I was very excited that this was one of the songs they danced to during their wedding reception! It’s such a fun song and a great dance number.
What I also love about this scene is how it shows how much both Jane and Michael have grown since we first met them as children. Back then, Jane was a shy girl who didn’t like to dance, but she’s now grown into a confident woman who can do anything she puts her mind to — including dancing with her husband on her wedding day!
And I thought it was adorable that she continued dancing even after Michael stopped doing so!
Dancing Through Life – Wicked
Dancing Through Life – Wicked
Everyone knows that one of the most important aspects of Wicked is the dancing. But what if you want to see it, but don’t want to pay for a ticket?
Well, here’s a free option. It’s not going to be in front of a live audience or anything, but you can watch the show’s choreography performed by professional dancers on YouTube.
Dancing Through Life – Wicked is a compilation of all the songs from Wicked set to music videos of each song being performed by professional dancers. You can watch it on your own time and enjoy the dancing without having to pay for a ticket!
Dancing Through Life – Wicked
Who doesn’t love Wicked? And who doesn’t love dancing? So, we thought we’d bring the two together. This is a dance video from the Broadway production of Wicked. The cast shows us how they get down to Defying Gravity.
The choreography is by Wayne Cilento and Rob Ashford.
Dancing Queen – Mamma Mia
Dancing Queen – Mamma Mia
The story of a girl who comes to the island of Kalokairi to find her real father. She meets three possible fathers and must decide which one is the right one. The musical is based on the 1999 movie starring Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan and Julie Walters.
The music for Dancing Queen was written by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus from ABBA. The show has been very popular since opening in London’s West End in 2001 and is now playing on Broadway after opening in 2018 at the Winter Garden Theatre. The show is directed by Phyllida Lloyd, who won an Oscar for directing Mamma Mia!
We’ve got some dancing queens for you, but no choreography! These are musicals where the actors dance and sing, but there is no choreography.
Theatre often relies on movement to tell a story or convey emotion, so it’s no surprise that many musicals have memorable dance numbers. But some of our favourite shows are those where the cast simply moves around and sings songs without any choreography.
Here are 10 musicals with no choreography:
Dancing Queen – Mamma Mia
There’s plenty of dancing in Mamma Mia!, but no choreography. The cast moves around the stage and sings their hearts out, but there is no formalised routine with steps or formations. It’s all about having fun!
You Can’T Stop The Beat – Hairspray
You Can’T Stop The Beat – Hairspray
The best musical number in a movie about the power of dance? It might be this one from Hairspray.
The song is about the importance of dancing and how it can help you overcome any obstacle in life. That’s why it’s so powerful, because it’s not just about dancing but about celebrating yourself.
The song starts with Tracy singing about how she’s going to put on a show for her friends and family. She doesn’t care what they think, because she knows her dance moves are awesome. And then comes the chorus where everyone joins in, saying that they can’t stop dancing because they love it so much.
And then there are those amazing choreography moments when everyone comes together to create a giant line dance with arms raised high into the air while smiling at each other. It’s just so joyful!
You Can’T Stop The Beat – Hairspray
Theatre:
Hairspray is a musical with music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman and Shaiman, and book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan based on John Waters’s 1988 film of the same name. The story involves an overweight teenage girl who dreams of becoming a dancer on a TV show and, along with her friends, enters the “Miss Teenage Hairspray” pageant to protest against racial segregation. It is set in 1962 Baltimore.
Choreography:
There is no choreography in this musical as it is just singing and dancing around.
Turn It Off – The Book Of Mormon
The Book of Mormon is right up there with Hamilton as the best musicals to see on Broadway. It’s funny, it’s heartfelt and it has a great story. Plus, it’s not just a musical but also a comedy show that you can watch at home if you don’t have time to go out and see it live.
The Book of Mormon is about two young missionaries who are sent to Uganda to spread their faith in God. The musical features catchy music and lots of laughs, including some that might make you uncomfortable — which is exactly why it’s so good!
Turn It Off
Turn It Off is the latest in a long line of shows produced by StarKid Productions, an entertainment company based in Chicago that specializes in web series and musicals.
The group has produced over 20 shows since its founding in 2006 and has gained quite a following for its unique style and humor. Their most recent production, Turn It Off, was released on YouTube on June 12th 2019 (you can watch it here).
Cross The Line – Bring It On
Cross The Line – Bring It On
Cross The Line – Bring it On
Bring It On is a musical comedy film. It was released in 2000 and is based on the book of the same name by Peyton Reed. The film follows Campbell, the captain of the cheerleading squad at Rancho Carne High School (California), as she leads her team to victory at an annual cheer competition against their bitter rivals, the East Compton Clovers.
Cross The Line – Bring It On
Cross The Line is a musical that has no choreography. The show is set in the 1950’s and touches on issues such as racism, segregation, and bullying. The show is about two African American students who attend a predominantly white high school. They are faced with many challenges, but they manage to overcome them through music. This musical is a great choice for your group if you are looking to add some diversity to your program or if you want to focus on social justice issues.
Bring It On: The Musical
Bring it On: The Musical is another show that doesn’t have any choreography. This show takes place at a cheerleading camp and focuses on the competitive world of cheerleading. It also touches on issues such as gender roles and friendship dynamics within the cheerleading squad. Bring It On: The Musical is perfect for groups with younger members because it does not require much movement from its cast members and can be easily adapted for smaller casts by removing ensemble roles or decreasing the number of songs performed.
Nd Street – 42Nd Street
2011
Nd Street – 42Nd Street
The story of five people who live in the same building on 42nd Street. Their lives are all intertwined, and each one is waiting for something to happen in their life. They go through heartbreak and love, but at the end of the day, they still have each other to lean on.
Nd Street – 42Nd Street
The musical is based on the life of a struggling actress in New York. The show follows her journey as she tries to make it big in the city and deals with relationships, friendships, and family issues.
This show has no choreography because it’s a modern day story that takes place in New York City. The actors are able to move freely around the stage while they sing and dance their hearts out!
Chicago: The Musical
This musical takes place in 1920s Chicago and tells the story of Roxie Hart, who dreams of being a star but ends up killing someone after she gets caught up in the mob. She has to go on trial for murder but uses her charm to get off scot-free. Roxie then decides to become an actress and falls in love with a lawyer named Billy Flynn who helps her get acquitted of murder charges.
Hot Honey Rag – Chicago
The musicals that follow have no choreography in them.
Hot Honey Rag – Chicago
The musical follows the story of a young man who moves from Nebraska to Chicago to pursue his dreams of being a boxer. The show is set in the 1920s and 1930s, during Prohibition.
The show has been adapted for television twice: once for the BBC in 2003, and once for PBS’ Great Performances series in 2009.
The Fantasticks
This musical is about two neighboring fathers who make a bet that their children will fall in love with each other. The bet is that if they don’t fall in love by the time they are 18 years old, they must marry each other instead! The show features well-known songs like “Try To Remember” and “Soon It’s Gonna Rain.”
Little Shop of Horrors
This rock musical tells the story of Seymour Krelborn, who works at Mushnik’s Skid Row Florists with his co-worker Audrey and their sadistic boss Mushnik. Seymour discovers a strange plant that he names Audrey II after his crush Audrey; however, this plant soon takes on a life of its own and begins feeding on human blood!
Anything Goes – Anything Goes
Anything Goes – Anything Goes
Anything Goes is a musical with music and lyrics by Cole Porter. The original book was a collaboration between P.G. Wodehouse, Guy Bolton, and Howard Lindsay, with additional contributions from Dorothy Fields and John Latouche. The musical introduced the standards “I Get a Kick Out of You”, “It’s De-Lovely”, “You’re the Top” and “Blow, Gabriel, Blow”.
The musical premiered on Broadway in 1934, starring Ethel Merman and William Gaxton. It was revived in 1973 at the Kennedy Center with Carol Channing as Reno Sweeney in a production which also included other Broadway stars such as Joel Grey and Chita Rivera. In 2005, it was adapted for film as De-Lovely (2004).
Anything Goes
Anything Goes – Anything Goes
Anything Goes is a musical with music and lyrics by Cole Porter, and book by P.G. Wodehouse, Guy Bolton, and Herbert Fields. The original Broadway production opened in 1934 and ran for 557 performances. The story involves love affairs on a passenger ship bound for London.
In the opening scene, we meet Reno Sweeney, a Reno girl who takes no guff from anyone. She’s on board the S.S. American with Billy Crocker, an aspiring Congressman from Vermont who wants to marry Hope Harcourt, a wealthy socialite he met in Paris on his way to London for business reasons (he’s a shoe manufacturer). He’ll have to wait until she gets over her fiancé being killed in World War I before he can propose marriage to her again… But Hope has other ideas about her future!
Dance At The Gym – West Side Story
West Side Story is a musical with a book by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. It was inspired by William Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet and its plot is based on events that take place in New York City’s Upper West Side, where two teenage street gangs – the Jets and the Sharks – are at war.
The musical was adapted into a film in 1961 starring Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, George Chakiris and Rita Moreno.
West Side Story was produced by Robert Griffith and directed by Jerome Robbins. It opened on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theatre on September 26, 1957 and closed June 26, 1960 after 732 performances. The production won 10 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Score (Leonard Bernstein) and Best Choreography (Jerome Robbins).
Since you asked for musicals without choreography, I’m going to be a bit of a contrarian and suggest West Side Story. There are no dance numbers in the show, but there is a lot of movement, including some very iconic moments where characters move in unison (the opening scene, for example).
West Side Story is a great example of how you can use expressive movement as part of your storytelling. It also shows how you can use dance as another tool in your toolbox to help create an emotional connection with an audience.
I’d also recommend Cabaret and Rent as two other examples of shows that have no choreography but still rely heavily on the power of expression through movement.
An American In Paris – An American In Paris
An American In Paris – An American In Paris
An American in Paris is a musical with music by George Gershwin, lyrics by Ira Gershwin and book by Craig Lucas. The story is set in Paris, and follows a young American World War I veteran who falls in love with a French girl. The musical premiered on Broadway in 2015, winning four Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival.
An American In Paris – An American In Paris
Anastasia – Anastasia
Chicago – Chicago
Come From Away – Come From Away
Dear Evan Hansen – Dear Evan Hansen
Frozen – Frozen
Hamilton – Hamilton
In The Heights – In The Heights
The Lion King – The Lion King
Mamma Mia! – Mamma Mia!
The lack of choreography or any kind of movement in the show is a deliberate choice by the creators and stage director Christopher Wheeldon.
The show is based on the 1951 MGM film An American in Paris, which won six Oscars including best picture, and tells the story of an aspiring painter who falls for a beautiful young dancer. The movie was itself based on a 1924 ballet by George Gershwin and his brother Ira.
Gershwin composed some of America’s most popular songs, including “Rhapsody in Blue”, “Porgy and Bess” and “Someone to Watch Over Me”. But he also wrote music for Broadway musicals such as Girl Crazy (1930), Of Thee I Sing (1931) and Strike Up The Band (1930).
He died suddenly aged 38 of complications due to hypertension, although there were rumours that he had suffered from syphilis or epilepsy.
FAQs for Musicals With No Choreography
Now that you understand “Musicals With No Choreography”, let’s move on to the FAQ section.
Do All Musicals Have Choreography?
Do All Musicals Have Choreography?
No. Not every musical has choreography.
There are a lot of misconceptions about what is and isn’t a “musical.” People think that all musicals have choreography, but that’s not true. Some of the most famous Broadway shows were written to be performed without dance numbers.
For example:
A Chorus Line does not have any choreography. The dancers perform in unison, but there are no solo numbers or other scenes where different people dance at the same time (with the exception of one scene). The show’s creators wanted it to be more realistic than other musicals, so they didn’t want to create elaborate dance numbers that weren’t realistic.
Oklahoma! also doesn’t have any choreography. There are some movements involved with the characters’ speaking roles, but nothing like what you’d see in a typical musical with choreography (or even a non-choreographed musical like A Chorus Line).
Hamilton is one of the few modern-day Broadway shows that doesn’t have much dancing at all — even though its creator Lin Manuel Miranda is an actor who also starred in In The Heights, another show he wrote (which had some dancing).
What Is A Musical With No Dialogue Called?
What Is A Musical With No Dialogue Called?
A musical without dialogue is called a “musical play.” The most famous example of this is Oklahoma! by Rodgers and Hammerstein, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1943. In addition to Oklahoma!, there are several other examples of musicals with no dialogue: The Pajama Game by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross; West Side Story by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim; and Carousel by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. In fact, Carousel was so successful that it was adapted into a film starring Gordon MacRae and Shirley Jones (1956).
Musicals are known for their catchy songs, elaborate dance routines and colorful costumes. By definition, a musical is any story told through song. However, not all musicals have dialogue or choreography.
When you think of a typical Broadway show, you probably envision something like “Hamilton” with its complex choreography and hip-hop lyrics. The other extreme is something like “Once On This Island,” which has no dialogue at all. As a result, these shows are often referred to as “sung-through” musicals because they’re sung throughout instead of having spoken lines interspersed with singing.
But what if you want to see a musical without all the dancing and singing? Is that even possible?
The answer depends on your definition of musical theater. If you think of it as any play in which the actors sing or dance, then yes! There are plenty of shows that fall into this category — many more than you’d think!
Do You Have To Be A Good Dancer To Be On Broadway?
It’s a common misconception that you have to be a good dancer to be in a musical on Broadway. While being able to dance is not required, it can definitely help your chances of getting the job.
The reality is that anyone can audition for a Broadway show as long as they are over 18 years old and have some acting experience or training. However, casting directors do look for certain skills when it comes time to choosing their cast members.
For example, if you’re applying to be in a show like Wicked or The Lion King, you’ll need to be able to sing well and put on an energetic performance. If you’re applying for something like Kinky Boots or Legally Blonde, then you will need to demonstrate excellent comedic timing and acting skills.
It’s important to note that just because someone isn’t good at dancing doesn’t mean they won’t get called back for another audition — it just means that their odds are less likely than someone who does have those skills.
What Are The 7 Types Of Musicals?
Musicals are a form of theater that uses songs and music to further the plot, character development, or setting. Musicals are often performed as plays, with spoken dialogue and songs written for the actors to sing.
Musicals are also often played in concert halls where the audience can’t see the stage. In these cases, musicians perform the music with their instruments and microphones onstage while actors use voiceovers to tell the story.
The term “musical” is sometimes used more loosely to refer to any show that has singing in it.
The musical is a form of theatrical performance that combines songs, spoken dialogue, acting and dance. The story and emotional content of a musical – humor, pathos, love, anger – are communicated through the words, music and technical aspects of the entertainment as an integral whole. The combination of these various forms of art forms has been defined as “theatrical absolutism”.
Musicals are usually presented in two acts or three acts; rarely four acts; an intermission is present in almost every show. Musicals have had book writers since the 19th century, although the first full length musical is generally considered to be The Black Crook (1866). A composer has written music for some productions.
Musical theatre may also refer to a play which incorporates songs written for the occasion. In the United States and Britain, the term “musical comedy” is sometimes used to describe shows with book and lyrics by Broadway composers Irving Berlin, George Gershwin and Lerner & Loewe among others. These were more often staged concerts than fully staged productions on stage.
Who Was The Choreographer For Hamilton?
The choreographer for Hamilton is Andy Blankenbuehler, who has worked on several other Broadway shows. His choreography credits include In the Heights (2008 Tony Award for Best Choreography), Bring It On: The Musical (2011 Tony Award for Best Choreography), Wicked (2003 Tony Awards for Best Choreography and Best Direction of a Musical), and Memphis (Best Choreography).
In addition to his work on Broadway, Blankenbuehler has also choreographed several other productions, including American Idiot (2011 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Music in a Play), The Addams Family (2009 Tony Awards for Best Choreography) and Spring Awakening (2007 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Music).
Who Was The Choreographer For Hamilton?
Who Was The Choreographer For Hamilton?
The choreographer for Hamilton is Andy Blankenbuehler, who also choreographed In the Heights. Blankenbuehler is a Tony Award winner for his work on In the Heights and has also worked on Bring It On: The Musical, Wicked and Cry-Baby.
How Much Does A Choreographer Make?
The average annual salary for a choreographer is approximately $64,000 per year. This varies depending on experience level and industry type.
How Hard Is It To Be A Dancer On Broadway?
There are a lot of misconceptions about Broadway dancers. Many people think that it’s just a hobby or something that you do for fun, but in reality, it’s a full-time job. It’s also not easy to get into. You have to audition for every show, and there are only so many roles available.
The average Broadway dancer has been dancing since they were a child. Some have been dancing since they were 2 years old! If you’re thinking about becoming a Broadway dancer, then you should start training early on so that you can master the art of dance before auditioning for shows.
There are three types of auditions: callbacks, which happen after the first round of auditions; second rounds, which happen after callbacks; and final casts (the cast list), which happens after second rounds. The final cast is the last chance for dancers to secure their place in the show.
A typical day at work is very busy and involves lots of rehearsing and performing throughout the day with little breaks in between each rehearsal session. The workload can be stressful because there are so many shows running simultaneously and everyone wants their piece to be perfect before opening night!
Conclusion for Musicals With No Choreography
This doesn’t mean that dancers aren’t essential. They certainly are! After all, choreography is an art form in and of itself. But in order to best showcase the dancers, we have to consider the whole picture. Actors need a stage on which they can deliver their lines, sets must be built, and lights must be arranged to give proper emphasis on different actions. All of these things are important when we think about staging. No matter what you call it—scenery, staging, or set design—it’s an important part of the overall production experience.
Thank you for reading, and I hope you get the point of “Musicals With No Choreography”. If not, please contact me or leave a comment below. I would be pleased to help in any way I can.
