Top 30 Hardest Broadway Dance Routines EVER

[@MsMojo]

Which Broadway dance routine wouldn’t YOU dare attempt? Let us know below, and be sure to also check out our video of the Top 20 Iconic Broadway Dance Numbers - kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqvXepiLjrScZ9k

[@tarryteeth]

Step in time from Mary Poppins is quite iconic

[@What_Makes_Climate_Tick]

They say at the beginning that it's not under consideration if it's originally in a movie, but they seem to break that rule with An American in Paris.

[@kermitTHEdinosaur93]

There's plenty more in my mind: .Step in Time- Mary Poppins .Friend Like Me- Aladdin the Musical .It's Time to Dance- The Prom .Spooky Mormon Hell Dream- The Book of Mormon .That Beautiful Sound- Beetlejuice the Musical .Be Our Guest or Gaston- Beauty and the Beast the Musical .Masquerade- The Phantom of the Opera

[@thereallg4587]

*I was watching the movie Chicago this morning and Cell block tango looks fun ngl.*

[@kathrynmast916]

Gene Kelly performed the newspaper dance in the 1950 movie, Summer Stockmwith Judy Garland.

[@SupermarketSweep777]

Good to see Riverdance get its nod. Hell you could give multiple entries to it. Besides its title dance, Reel Around the Sun, Trading Taps, and The Russian Dervish, are all massive physical undertakings.

[@MegumiMoo]

Did a hairspray cast where i was tracy. Exhausting, but satisfying

[@DepezPoopsie]

Thx for including the Our Favorite Son routine. It looks so fun!

[@allys744]

I’m so glad you brought up How to get succeed in business. The choreography in “brotherhood of man” remains one of my favorite broadway songs and dance routines. They performed at the Tony’s and Macys parade and I’ve never forgotten it. And they all sings while pulling off those dance moves; it’s amazing. Radcliffe is a little firecracker of a man

[@MrCrowebobby]

"Broadway dancer" is the most underrated profession in the world -- it takes years and years and years of training . . . plus a natural gift.

[@criticali1]

“There’s Gotta Be Something Better Than This” or Rich Man’s Frug” from “Sweet Charity” or the rumble from “The Outsiders” or anything from “Illinois”?

[@HannahMDixon]

I used to do competitive Irish Dance and it is a a lot more of a sport than a dance.

[@robertamsel4769]

Three of the best singular dances were performed by Gwen Verdon in "Damn Yankees" (you can get an idea from the toned-down censored film version of "Whatever Lola Wants," "I've Got Your Number" sung and danced from "Little Me," performed by Swen Swenson and for which he received a Tony Award nomination and Bob Fosse won the Tony for choreography, and Tommy Rall's song and dance, "I Will Follow You," from "Milk and Honey" with choreography by Donald Saddler. Also, who can forget the song and dance number, "There's Gotta Be Something Better Than This" from "Sweet Charity"? Gwen was nominated for a Tony but it was Bob Fosse who took home a Tony for his choreography.

[@ChibiJaime]

I'd argue for "Don't Break the Rules" from Catch Me If You Can being tough as nails. Not as intricate as some of these but the ensemble doesn't stop moving the whole time, and in the 2011 Tony's performance you can visibly see Norbert Leo Butz out of breath by the end.

[@LadyMiir]

For sure, that entire show has amazing choreography and it's really impressive that Norbert kept up!

[@stephaniehibbert2270]

I used to perform rhe Roger Follies's chair routine. So much fun!

[@gregorykollarus8190]

Bob Fosse did not use chairs in the original cellblock tango. He use cell bars with upward lighting. There was a lot of stomping and interesting staging. The revival uses chairs. The revival is the style of Bob Fosse, but that’s not what Bob Fosse did.

[@MrCrowebobby]

And Jerome Robbins didn't do any of the jazz numbers in West Side Story, Peter Gennaro did. Just like 'A Chorus Line' wasn't 'conceived' by Michael Bennett.

[@robertsandybeach9990]

I've been blessed to do a few, but one of the hardest I did was "Shoeless Joe " from Damn Yankees..I did do A Chorus Line, Pippin, Hairspray, Fiddler, (with glass bottles no velcro)..each was a work out!

[@MrCrowebobby]

Did you do that with Timmy Everett?

[@robertsandybeach9990]

@@MrCrowebobby no it was an Atlantic City production.

[@samuelcollantes1175]

Turkey Lurkey time. Happy sunday afternoon, Emily, take care and God bless you. Greetings from Colombia to you as well

[@christywright4025]

Nothing from Sweet Charity? What were you smoking?

[@SB-ep2gh]

I can't remember where but I saw an interview where an actress from Hairspray said they affectionately call that song 'You Can't Stop to Breath', might have been in the behind the scenes for the movie, possibly.

[@craziladi13]

It was for the movie and it was Marc Shaiman who mentioned that is what most of the cast called it. He also said that the only person who got thru it smoothly every time was Queen Latifah. (Not surprising)

[@SB-ep2gh]

@@craziladi13 yes! Thank-you. I’ve watched several documentaries about the broadway production and the movie so I wasn’t sure who said it anymore, I just remembered thinking it was funny

[@robinbickel4594]

Although not nearly as intricate, the original dance on a conveyer belt is the music video "Here It Goes Again" by OK GO

[@noth1ng5id]

22:28 "spread out fingers" You mean Jazz Hands? 😅

[@tealbingy5450]

I would have included one of two numbers from Gershwin's Crazy for You - "Slap That Bass", or "I Got Rhythm" - both feature tight timing and coordination. And great tapping!

[@WikedKity]

The Russian Bottle Dance has been done to Great Effect on Football Fields across America thanks to Drum Corps and the Santa Clara Vanguard!

[@laurahart1245]

In my younger years, I would have done the Oklahoma ballet.

[@joepaul7088]

Blow High, Blow Low from the Carousel revival (Justin Peck choreography) is amazing!

[@theadventureists8673]

You missed The Frug from Sweet Charity too

[@LadyMiir]

I know you focused on ensemble numbers but I would also put forth "Magical Mister Mistoffeelees" from CATS, in particular his "Conjuring Turn"-- 24 consecutive fouettes is terrifying and astounding for sheer difficulty.

[@KT-sq2ml]

Carrie’s original opening number in the gym is incredible. I honestly don’t know how those young ladies could have so much stamina. I know the show was a flop but that number is worth including on this list (I think). There are some vids of it on KZbin but they’re old and not crystal clear. Still worth a look.

[@MrCrowebobby]

Michael Kid's choreography was certainly some of the most dangerous if not the hardest.

[@mistybenjamin9009]

I would also say Room Where It Happens from Hamilton

[@RosieTheWickedFangirl2007]

Cell block Tango is my favourite Musical Theatre Dance Number

[@litterboxpaws]

I wish they had shown more actual Broadway clips of the Cell Block Tango, instead of movie clips. I love the movie, but I wanted to see Broadway.

[@RosieTheWickedFangirl2007]

@@litterboxpaws I agree with you on that one

[@slsavarick]

I realize the purpose of posts like this is to spread the love, but Fosse's "Beat Me Daddy Eight to the Bar" From "Big Deal" and "Crunchy Granola Suite" from Dancn' Beat anything in Hamilton and Moulin Rouge.

[@nostalgiacat5160]

I was gonna make some noise if newsies wasn’t on here… I’m just here for Crutchie

[@cedgson91]

Newsies & Anything goes come to mind for hard Broadway dance numbers

[@mehhudson]

As someone who has done Turkey Turkey... 'Donna McKechnie and her Extremely Flexible Back' is the perfect way to describe that number.

[@What_Makes_Climate_Tick]

I like the little old lady dance (maybe there's a more official name) from The Producers. Having done a lot of amateur theater, one of the most important skills for a choreographer in this venue is the ability to know what can be done with the talent available to them.

[@kamsismith]

You’re the One That I Want and Greased Lightning

[@trinaq]

Yes, they're totally fun to watch, though I'd probably be exhausted having to perform them.

[@mariskelley8831]

The Jellicle Ball is a lot more demanding than the opening number

[@nonyabusiness2510]

i think overall it's probably the most demanding song as a whole.

[@dannysimion]

Newsies my personal favorite but damn, Turkey lurkey is such a fun dance scene. I watched it twice.

[@LE-pq3lu]

Came looking for 'Whipped into Shape' from Legally Blonde. Shocked it's not on this list

[@chynne33]

Apparently Michael Jeter was Michael Flatley's long lost cousin.

[@lonellfletcher]

Mojo, why are your lists getting so long?

[@AllisonReinke]

Some Like It Hot chase scene!!

[@lesliekellogg5486]

When I Grow Up from Matilda, and the Rich man's Frugue from Sweet Charity should be included.

[@MegumiMoo]

Duuude, why are they not using the footage with Billy Porter, for kinky boots?

[@charleshall9488]

I have not been to the theater 🎭 since highschool

[@nonyabusiness2510]

Well thats not only unfortunate but completely irrelevant to this thread. By the way I haven't been back to New York to see a play in over 2 years. Of course who cares and what does that have to do with the most challenging choreography?

[@ascotberks2018]

Sutton Foster should be number 1😊

[@maureenwright5151]

But you missed one of my faves …. Polka from king and I

[@nonyabusiness2510]

you say we are only looking at on stage than most of the cell block tango is from the movie which has completely different choreography from the stage version.

[@litterboxpaws]

Yes, agreed!

[@maureenwright5151]

Sometimes I can’t believe west side story was made in early 60sl. It’s still so relevant these days.

[@Jp2232]

We think Phnom of the opera won thousands awards

[@nonyabusiness2510]

and what is your point and what is the relevance?

[@bridgetboyle687]

Guess no one remembers Brigadoon

[@octaviosanchez1051]

Please do top 10 best tom kenny voice roles

[@jenniferthompson3340]

Cats!

[@ILJ68]

Turkey Lurkey Time is reason alone to see Promises Promises

[@amelieroulleau3592]

the mood shift from jagged little pill to anything goes was ROUGH and gave me whiplash

[@KingdomHeartsFan3211]

I remember my breath being taken away the first time I saw “Smiling” from “Jagged Little Pill”. I had never seen a routine so beautifully terrifying.

[@allisonbergh4429]

I never noticed how much Hamilton’s choreo for Burr in Room Where It Happens reminds me of We’ll Take A Glass Together!

[@sherglovier3393]

The music playing under the narration is unnecessary and a bit annoying.

[@silverfairy614]

Agreed! It was so repetitive too!

[@italiana626sc]

"...we limited our list to choreography that began on or was created for the stage." Greased lightening from the MOVIE Grease. 🙄

[@michaelthomas172]

This is a terrible list. The dances listed are we, mostly, great ones, but far from the "best and most difficult".

[@shaliseshaw9385]

The Lion King musical, Wicked, Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Godspell, Jesus Christ Superstar, Billy Elliot:The Musical, Sweeney Todd, The Phantom Of The Opera(Masquerade), Shrek: The Musical, Cabaret, Chicago, Into The Woods, Beauty and The Beast(musical)(Be Our Guest), Dear Evan Hansen, and other musicals should've been on the list. 🎶🎶🎵🎵🎵🗽🎟️🎟️🎭🎭🚔🚔🚔🚔🚖🚖🚖🚖🚖🚖🚖🚆🚆🚆🚆🚆

[@minnow3019]

Billy ellliot was on the list and no, phantom, Sweeney, Jesus Christ superstar into the woods and other wouldn’t not have been on the list😭

[@maryannefeyer6332]

“Will only show choreography for the stage and not movies.” Proceeds to show clip from the movie “Hello Dolly”.

[@silverfairy614]

​@@maryannefeyer6332 more like proceeds to show clips from every movie of a musical ever

[@nonyabusiness2510]

Why? Was the list what are your favorite shows? The topic is hardest dance routines? Most of the shows you reference are not known for their difficult dance routines but run of the mill production choreography. Chicago of course is listed yet you have it identified as something that should be listed.Whats especially comical is Godspell which had average choreography at best. Into the Woods was not a dance heavy show at all and the choreography was primarly just blocking with a few routines built in. The choreography from masquerade isn't hard at all. It's impressive to watch but it's far from challenging or difficult. Sweeney Todd also minimal to no difficult choreography since a lot of dancing would look preposterous. try to stay on topic.