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.
‘A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum’ Review: Girls’ Night Off
Denis Jones, the choreographer, deserves equal credit—he knows how to make truly funny dances, a skill given to few—and he runs so close in tandem with Ms. Stone that I wouldn’t dare to guess who did what.
Review: ‘The Tempest’ Stars Sam Waterston and the Weather at Delacorte Theater
This attire — variations on which are worn by the large and nimble corps de ballet (wittily choreographed by Denis Jones)
First Nighter: “Paint Your Wagon” Revival Paints Town Red-Hot
Though I know de Mille choreographed the 1951 version, I hardly remember it dance for dance, step for step. So I can’t comment on whether Denis Jones keeps track of whatever is recorded or recalled of her work. I can say he’s done well with several numbers in which the men show their prowess and the dance hall girls, arriving in act two, throw a mean can-can. Indeed, when the men join the women for the can-can, Jones turns that into something suddenly and surprisingly rousing. He also does nicely by a pas de deux Kevin Munhall and Darien Crago execute during a musical break in the plaintive “Another Autumn.”
Theater Review: At Encores!, Paint Your Wagon Is Way Better Than It Oughta Be
And Denis Jones’ choreography, including a terrific can-can led by Jenny Laroche, who’s a Rockette, is unusually strong throughout.
Review: ‘Paint Your Wagon,’ Starring Keith Carradine, Opens at Encores!
Agnes de Mille, who choreographed the original production, certainly knew how to make macho men move, and Denis Jones does a creditable job of designing dances along the de Mille lines. When that stagecoach arrives and the women spill out, there’s an even more jubilant jamboree as they have no trouble finding willing partners.
'Honeymoon in Vegas': Theater Review
Choreographer Denis Jones splashy first-act closing number, "Do Something," has the enjoyably kitschy feel of something whipped up by the Love Boat crew.
Piece of My Heart: The Bert Berns Story
Director Denis Jones has crafted it all into a sleek package, with the kind of musically satisfying staging in which the bump of the last song immediately leads into the following scene. This helps the show pack in more music than you would think possible, and it does so in an authentic-sounding way.
Bert Berns, The Rock Phenom You Never Heard Of, Finally Gets His Due
I loved the fact that Jones’s period dances are performed by the small company slightly self-consciously, as though they were kids at a Miami Beach discotheque
THEATRE REVIEWS: The Sound of Music
and Denis Jones’ Choreography add to the perfection that this production presents to the audience.