The naval term for a newbie on a ship is a boot (short for boot camp) and that’s exactly what Danny Gardner is at Dames at Sea. Gardner makes his Broadway debut this October as Lucky in the smile-til-your-face-aches musical about a fictional Broadway show set on the high seas. We’re getting to know this tap whiz a bit better as we talk Gene Kelly, Tommy Tune and Nightman Cometh creator Charlie Kelly.
1. What excites me most about this production of Dames At Sea:
The amazing dances choreographed by Randy Skinner. I feel so lucky to be trusted with his style and beautiful steps. His attention to detail and style are remarkable.
2. The quality of Lucky’s I really admire:
His ability to instinctively cheer people on, no matter what the circumstances.
3. The performance or performer who inspired me to tap was:
Gene Kelly's "creak in the floor" tap dance from Summer Stock. Graceful, inventive and pure magic!
4. The ultimate dance scene from a movie musical:
"The Babbit and the Bromide" from the movie the Ziegfeld Follies. It's one of only two times Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly appear on film together. To see these two song and dance giants dance on screen together is so incredibly special. Gene choreographed the first two dance breaks and Fred choreographed the third extended one. The fact that they shared choreographed responsibility makes the dance that much more special.
5. If I had to describe dancing in Lady, Be Good with Tommy Tune in a hashtag, it would be:
#dreamcometrue #iwanttobehimwhenigrowup #KingofBroadwayfloatswhendances
6. When I’m out dancing for fun, my signature move is:
It's called the "white tornado". You swing your arms in a circle over your head and at the same time your knees circle around following your arms. It's not for the faint of heart.
The last TV show I binge-watched was:
Homeland!! I'm totally caught up and ready for the next season! Mandy Patinkin is amazing.
Fictional character I relate to on a visceral level:
Charlie in It's always Sunny in Philadelphia. I feel like I have crazy schemes I'm always over-enthusiastic about.
Book that completely rocked my world the first time I read it:
Middlesex. Amazing read! So much history and beautiful introspection.
My desert island Broadway cast recording:
Sunday in the Park with George. Bernadette Peters and Mandy Patinkin singing Sondheim!!! It doesn't get much better than that.
Let Danny Gardner tap his way into your heart in ‘Dames at Sea’ at Broadway’s Helen Hayes Theatre.
