Pre-Broadway Review: ‘Tootsie’ the Musical
The choreography, from Denis Jones, a series of bounces and gyrations, gets satirized by Rogers’ Carlisle early and then makes those movements charming for the best number of the evening, a “Producers”-like tribute to the jittery excitement of opening night.
In the boffo Broadway-bound 'Tootsie,' Dorothy sings
Still, “Tootsie” gets so very much right. It’s by far the best of this recent crop of Chicago tryouts: I’ve surely never seen a musical comedy so deliciously lampoon the familiar tropes of Broadway choreography (choreographer Denis Jones has both guts and self-awareness) and, by being so palpably warmhearted, it avoids causing any offense in an era much changed from 1982. No easy feat, that.
‘Tootsie’ Musical Review
A big highlight of the show was Denis Jones’s bursting choreography that was executed flawlessly by the talented ensemble and kept the show fast and fluid.
Review: ‘How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying’ at the Kennedy Center
How to Succeed is a strong ensemble show, and the choreography (Denis Jones) of numbers like “Coffee Break,” “Been a Long Day,” “Paris Original,” “The Pirate Dance,” and “Brotherhood of Man” – the latter brought down the house near the show’s conclusion — is lively, fun, and precise.
Theatre Review: ‘How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying’ at The Kennedy Center
Though there are hardly down moments to speak of, the highlights come mostly from the peppy ensemble numbers. Choreographer Denis Jones has done an excellent job utilizing the space and designing numbers that pop as much as the score.
Review: ‘Crazy for You’ at Signature Theatre
Signature Theatre’s new production of Crazy for You brings with it the warm heart and high spirits of the original. Denis Jones has re-choreographed the show to fit the Signature space, and he and director Matthew Gardiner cleverly utilize every inch of that space, with the action often spilling uproariously into the aisles.
This performance of ‘A Chorus Line’ at The Muny is unforgettable
Virtuoso director-choreographer Denis Jones has lovingly remastered the groundbreaking classic into an unforgettable theatrical experience of spellbinding moments and stirring musical numbers.
The Muny's Inspired Version of 'A Chorus Line' Adds Luster to the Show's Polished History: Musical Review
Director and choreographer Denis Jones once again weaves his musical magic with a sizzling, scintillating and superior rendition of the show that has been called “The Best Musical. Ever.”
The Muny gives a fresh interpretation to ground-breaking ‘Chorus Line’
Things get dusty if you don’t brush them off now and then, and Jones has brushed and polished “A Chorus Line” with genuine insight.
Review: ‘Mary Poppins’ at Paper Mill Playhouse is ‘Practically Perfect’
The choreography was gorgeously put together by Denis Jones and was the highlight of the production, especially his work on two numbers, Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious and Step in Time, that need to be seen to be believed. Jones received a Tony nomination this year for his work on “Holiday Inn,” which was equally as fabulous and became the star of that production last winter.
'Mary Poppins' is a big spoonful of delight at Paper Mill
Both sequences are meticulously choreographed by Denis Jones, who injects the dance numbers with a great deal of fun.
MARY POPPINS FLIES HIGH AT PAPERMILL PLAYHOUSE
But the true magic of the production lies in performances. Denis Jones’ choreography soars and creates a unique spontaneity – especially in the bigger numbers.
THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE - a feel good musical treat at Goodspeed Opera House
The title song opening number ""Thoroughly Modern Millie"" sets the stage for the tuneful, dance-filled pastiche to come, and a mixture of standard tunes and new songs with music by Jeanine Tesori and lyrics by Dick Scanlan are enhanced by the brilliantly enthusiastic choreography of Denis Jones, who also directs the show
Music Soars In Complicated 'Modern Millie' At Goodspeed
Jones, the director/choreographer, pays attention to everybody's elbows with his full-bodied choreography. Arms, legs, elbows and knees are bent, flapped, pointed, knocked, flipped, spun and waved in a succession of free-wheeling routines. Jones takes advantage of every chance for a dance.
Broadway Review: ‘Holiday Inn’
Choreographer Denis Jones is the star player of the production, keeping things playful by finding dance opportunities with wheelbarrows, firecrackers and Christmas garlands — and nearly stopping the show with the exuberant “Shaking the Blues Away,” which evokes the best of MGM musicals.
'Holiday Inn': Theater Review
Denis Jones' consistently inventive choreography for these and other numbers provides the large ensemble cast plenty of opportunities to strut their stuff.
Irving Berlin’s ‘Holiday Inn’ Sleighs ‘Em In Times Square; Judith Light’s Transparent Scandal: Reviews
Above all, Denis Jones (Honeymoon In Vegas) deploys a smallish troupe of dazzling hoofers with a perfect mix of precision (enforced) and abandon (brilliantly faked, no doubt).
Muny's '42nd Street' Is an Avenue of Joyous Experience: Review
The Muny’s second production of its 2016 season is a glittering and glorious salute to the heyday of the old-fashioned Broadway musical, dressed up in the contemporary choreography and very inventive direction of Denis Jones.
Tap Dancers Cast a Jazzy Spell in ‘42nd Street’
"“Put it all together, as Jones has, and you have a Muny Moment that lasts from the opening to the final applause.”
Scene on Stage: ‘A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum’
Denis Jones’s inventive choreography, which toggles between dance and gymnastics, is the show’s secret weapon. It looks slapdash in spots, but that’s intentional – and part of the fun.