A private reading of Take the Lead, a new musical based on the 2006 dance film that starred Antonio Banderas, is being May 30. Directed and choreographed by Tony winner Christopher Gattelli (Newsies), with co-choreography by Jennifer Weber (&Juliet) and Maria Torres (So You Think You Can Dance), the new musical is presented by special arrangement with Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures.

Take The Lead centers on the real-life dance teacher Pierre Dulaine, who offers to conduct detention for a group of misfit students by teaching them ballroom dancing. As they learn to overcome their insecurities and prejudices through artistic connection, they enter a dance competition, putting their personal progress to the test.

The reading stars Adrienne Bailon-Houghton (The Cheetah Girls), Ivan Hernandez (Dear Evan Hansen, Chicago), Vincent Jamal Hooper (The Lion King), and Savy Jackson (Bad Cinderella), alongside Giuseppe Bausilio, Brandon Borkowsky, Nella Cole, Stephanie Gomerez, Kenneth Goubran, Ellen Harvey, Kevyn Morrow, Natalia Nieves, Kevin Perdido, Matthew Risch, Rashidra Scott, Grace Slear, Salome Smith, and Darien Van Rensalier.

Take the Lead is scheduled for its public world premiere production next year at Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, NJ, where it will play from March 29 to April 27, 2025. Casting for that staging has not yet been revealed.

The musical features a book by Robert Cary and Jonathan Tolins (Schmigadoon!), based on the New Line Cinema film written by Dianne Houston, and a score by Elliah Heifetz and Zeniba Now, with music production by !llmind. 

For more information, visit Papermill.org.