Do You Wanna Dance?
Bust a move and shake your groove thing with the folks of SnapHappy, Ohio, as they fight the power against the dreaded “dance tax.”
Available in the U.S. and Canada Only
Show Essentials
12
Roles
+ Ensemble
G
Rated
2
Acts

Full Synopsis

Act One

The story takes place in the dance-crazed town of Snaphappy, Ohio, in May of 1995. The entire town is gathering at the "May Day Celebration," where Delaney Duzwell, the happiest of all of Snaphappy High kids, takes to the town center's stage and gets everyone literally dancing in the streets (“Dancing in the Streets”).

“Nobody can deny” that the long-time mayor, Pete Lightfoot, a widower, and his son, Chad, are loved by all AND the center of this "May Day" gathering. It’s also the fist time that the town of Snaphapy is meeting the Mayor’s new wife, Mona Lightfoot.

In an effort to welcome the new Mrs. Lightfoot to Snaphappy, Delaney, Chad, Lucas, Emma and all of the high school kids get up and perform (“Your Mama Don’t Dance”).

Unfortunately, Mona is taken aback. “How could they all know?” To everyone’s surprise, in the middle of the number, Mona suddenly runs over to the sound system and unplugs everything.  The performance stops and the stage freezes as she utters, “Whoops” ("Why Can't I Dance"). 

As the town center park clears (“Dancing in the Street – Reprise”), the slightly embarrassed Mayor and his new wife head for home while Chad and Delaney linger and begin to talk.

Even though these two grew up together, Delaney suddenly looks “different” to Chad. Sparks soon begin to fly between these two when a simple question is asked (“Do You Want to Dance? – Ballad”).

Of course, this being the dance-crazed town of Snaphappy, this intimate moment is soon crashed by everyone joining in.

Back at the Mayor’s home, Pete expresses concern about Mona’s public declaration of, “I want all this dancing to end.”  Even with Mona’s insecurities, these two are “crazy” in love (“How Sweet It Is”).

As Chad arrives back home, Mona gets a crazily delicious "idea." She announces to both of them that she wants a TAX put on all dancing in Snaphappy. “Honey, it will be a great way to bring a little more money into city hall....” The Mayor and Chad exclaim, “What?” But, wanting to ease the tension, the Mayor reluctantly says, “Okay.” Eureka! Mona Lightfoot’s plan is in place.

The next day, the Snaphappy Herald proclaims: “Dance Tax Hits Snaphappy” (“Politics of Dancing”). Can it be that anyone caught dancing who does not pay the tax will be sent to jail? As all of the Snaphappy High Kids and Townsfolk hear the news, they gather in disbelief. After chalking it up to “politics,” the kids decide that “they AREN’T going to take it anymore!”

They all rally and go “nuclear,” singing and dancing in Protest (“Neutron Dance”). Just as they get into a dancing frenzy, sirens sound, the police are called and all of the kids are hauled off to jail for illegal dancing.

Moments later in the D-D-D Dance Studio, Don Duzwell gets a call about how the all of the kids have been hauled off to jail, just as his wife, Daphne, begins teaching their nightly dance class. As she sings and the entire class dances, Don tries frantically to get Daphne’s attention (“Boogie Wonderland”). Finally, when Don yells out, “Delaney and the kids are in jail,” the dance floor comes to a stop. All of the parents run out and head to the police station.

Act Two

Hours later, the kids are still angry, even after their “dance tax” fines have been paid. They continue complaining to Officer Carlise as they sit in jail, “What do you mean, we can’t dance?” is the sentiment of every kid there (“Dancing in the Streets – Protest”). While the kids want to keep protesting, their parents have a different idea, and all of the kids, one by one, are scurried off to their respective homes. 

When Chad gets back home, he is grilled by his parents. While his dad is loudly asking Chad, “What were you thinking?” Mona, in her anger, gets another "idea:" “In order to end these flagrant dancing violations, Mr. Mayor, you should DOUBLE, no TRIPLE the dance tax on everyone, immediately!” Mayor Pete and Chad are shocked, but Mona is insistent, so he heads off to city hall to enact the new triple dance tax.

At the same time, back in the town square, Emma starts to teach Lucas how to dance by relating it to something he knows... sports.

The next week, life is a little different for Don and Daphne at the D-D-D-Dance Studio (“Shake Your Groove Thing / Shake Your Booty”). Because of the severe new "dance tax," their dance studio is a quarter of the size that it used to be, but their adult students still crowd in and proceed to “shake, shake, shake their booty.”

Outside the studio, Delaney, Chad and a bunch of the kids wait for their parents' dance class to end. Delaney starts to realize that no one has ever seen the Mayor’s wife dance. EVER.... ”Maybe she can’t dance...?”

Delaney, always trying to keep everyone’s spirits high, steps up and makes the kids realize that there is “dance” in everything that they do. Before the kids know it, they are "busting a move" to the basketball, football, marching and cheering movements that they do every day (“Bust a Move / Jam”).

Feeling a lot better, Chad calls a huddle and hatches a plan to display a different kind of "dancing" at the upcoming graduation ceremony. A senior class dance had always been a tradition at Snaphappy High, but Mr. Wizzle, the principal, had cancelled it because of the expense. If their plan works, the kids will have everyone up on their feet, "jamming" and celebrating at the graduation. Mona finally breaks down and tells the Mayor why she hates dancing so much. In a flashback, Mona explains that her mother had been a serious dance teacher, and Mona’s dancing could never please her. Pete is stunned by what he hears but now understands what is driving his wife to rid Snaphappy of dancing. Unfortunately, Chad walks in at a sensitive moment, and another argument ensues. Chad walks out, threatening not to show up for graduation.

The big graduation day arrives for all of the Seniors at Snaphappy High (“Pomp and Circum-Dance”). It’s also the day for the kid’s "big plan" to get everyone dancing in Snaphappy again. Chad finally shows up as everyone gathers, then Delaney speaks to all of the graduating seniors. After some pleasantries, she acknowledges that, because they can’t “afford” their traditional dance celebration at graduation this year, the students have prepared a little presentation to commemorate this year’s festivities. They all take off their robes to reveal athletic wear. They begin doing exercise moves, jumping and throwing and catching balls, to everyone’s surprise (“Walking on Sunshine”).

This outrages Mona so much that she runs up to the DJ and demands that he turn the music OFF! Suddenly, the DJ starts playing a new song (“Dancing Machine”). As an outraged Mona moves about, flailing her arms and legs, the entire crowd starts to pick up on her “moves” and duplicates them like one giant line dance. They’ve never seen anything like it. They love her dance style. To her surprise, everyone is singing and dancing to “her dance.”

Mayor Pete, Mona, Chad, Delaney and the entire town agree that “This is Awesome!” The Mayor turns to his wife and asks, “Do you wanna dance?” (“Do You Want to Dance – UpTempo”). With a miraculous change of heart, she yells, “Let’s do it!” Everyone in Snaphappy is overjoyed and dances the night away.

Casting
← Back to Do You Wanna Dance?
Cast Size: Flexible Cast Size
Cast Type: Ensemble Cast
Dance Requirements: Standard

Character Breakdown

Delaney Duzwell

Delaney is a Senior, full of positive energy, at Snaphappy High.  She is well-liked and a natural leader at the High School.  With her strong and upbeat character, Delaney can motivate all the other youth of Snaphappy. Dancing is her life.

Gender: female
Age: 16 to 18
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: G3
Chad Lightfoot

Chad is the son of the town Mayor and a Senior at Snaphappy High. He’s a good kid, into sports as well as singing and dancing. Yet, there is a certain vulnerability in Chad due to the loss of his mom and his struggle to accept his new step mother. He becomes Delaney’s boyfriend during the show.

Gender: male
Age: 16 to 18
Vocal range top: E4
Vocal range bottom: D3
Mayor Pete Lightfoot

Mayor Lightfoot is an affable and beloved mayor who wants to do what is best for the town of Snaphappy,   Unfortunately, he is blinded by his feelings for his new wife and easily allows her to lead him down a misguided path, much to the dismay of his son, Chad.

Gender: male
Age: 40 to 60
Vocal range top: Bb3
Vocal range bottom: D3
Mona Lightfoot

Mona is the Mayor’s complicated new wife. She has is a severe dancing phobia. When she arrives in Snaphappy her fears are laid bare when she learns that the entire town loves to dance. To mask her insecurity she behaves like a tyrant, alienating almost everybody, especially Chad. She insists on having things her her way until she is finally won over by the accepting Townsfolk.

Gender: female
Age: 30 to 50
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: Ab3
Lucas

Lucas is a true jock but not much of a dancer – or so he thinks.  He is Chad’s best friend and fairly awkward with girls, until he meets Emma. Everything she does simply amazes him.

Gender: male
Age: 16 to 18
Vocal range top: Eb4
Vocal range bottom: Bb2
Lucas

Lucas is a true jock but not much of a dancer – or so he thinks.  He is Chad’s best friend and fairly awkward with girls, until he meets Emma. Everything she does simply amazes him.

Gender: male
Age: 16 to 18
Vocal range top: Eb4
Vocal range bottom: Bb2
Emma

Emma is an exuberant cheerleader and Delaney’s long time best friend.  She is also more than a little infatuated with Lucas whom she impresses with her amazing flexibility and athleticism. For Emma there is always a reason to cartwheel, flip or do a jump or the splits.

Gender: female
Age: 15 to 18
Vocal range top: Bb4
Vocal range bottom: Bb3
Daphne Duzwell

Daphne is Delaney’s mother and is the co-owner, with her husband Don, of the D-D-D Dance Studio..  She has the same spunk as her daughter, Delaney.   With a heart of gold, she loves her husband and all her dance students, which includes everybody in town.

Gender: female
Age: 40 to 50
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Don Duzwell

Don is Delaney’s father and co-owner of the D-D-D Dance Studio.  He is a bit square and more of a worrier than Daphne, together, they manage to keep their Dance Studio afloat.

Gender: male
Age: 40 to 50
Principal Mr. Wizzle or Ms. Wizzle

He/she is the principal of the high school and a bit of a busy body. He/she loves all the students but is reluctant to buck the town leadership.  Mr. or Ms. Wizzle is constantly irritated that everyone makes fun of their name  – (Wizzle - not Weasel)

Gender: any
Age: 35 to 99
Vocal range top: D4
Vocal range bottom: G3
Susan Mansford

Susan is a mother and a student at D-D-D Dance Studio.  She sings and dances with relish, but can be prone to faint in public. She is one of the Townsfolk and has a featured duet in “Shake your Groove Thing”.

Gender: female
Age: 35 to 50
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: E4
Mr. Bob Mansford

Mr. Mansford is a father and a student at the D-D-D- Dance Studio, and quite the dancer.  – His wife, Susan, keeps him on his toes.  He is one of the Townsfolk and has a featured duet in “Shake Your Groove Thing”.

Gender: male
Age: 35 to 50
Vocal range top: E4
Vocal range bottom: G3
Police Officer Carlisle

Officer Carlisle is the local Chief of Police who is charged with enforcing the new “dance tax”.  Although it is painful for him, he reluctantly does so.

Gender: any
Age: 30 to 60
Ensemble

Cheerleaders, Kid's Ensemble, Townsfolk Ensemble, High School Kids, Parents, Teachers, etc. 

Gender: any
Chad Lightfoot

Chad is the son of the town Mayor and a Senior at Snaphappy High. He’s a good kid, into sports as well as singing and dancing. Yet, there is a certain vulnerability in Chad due to the loss of his mom and his struggle to accept his new step mother. He becomes Delaney’s boyfriend during the show.

Gender: male
Age: 16 to 18
Vocal range top: E4
Vocal range bottom: D3
Full Song List
Do You Wanna Dance?: Overture
Do You Wanna Dance?: Dancing in the Streets
Do You Wanna Dance?: Your Mama Don't Dance
Do You Wanna Dance?: Why Can't I Dance
Do You Wanna Dance?: Dancing in the Street - Reprise
Do You Wanna Dance?: Do You Want To Dance - Ballad
Do You Wanna Dance?: How Sweet It Is
Do You Wanna Dance?: Politics of Dancing
Do You Wanna Dance?: Neutron Dance
Do You Wanna Dance?: Boogie Wonderland
Do You Wanna Dance?: Dancing in the Street - Protest
Do You Wanna Dance?: Shake Your Groove Thing / Shake Your Booty
Do You Wanna Dance?: Bust a Move / Jam
Do You Wanna Dance?: Pomp and Circum-Dance
Do You Wanna Dance?: Walking on Sunshine
Do You Wanna Dance?: Dancing Machine
Do You Wanna Dance?: Do You Wanna Dance - UpTempo
Do You Wanna Dance?: Do You Wanna Dance - Megamix

Show History

Inspiration

Do You Wanna Dance? is a '90s-themed jukebox musical, featuring such well-known songs as "Dancing in the Streets," "Bust a Move," "How Sweet It Is" and "Walking on Sunshine." It is the first Jukebox Jr. Musical created by WOW!Entertanment in conjunction with Dallas Summer Musicals Academy of Performing Arts. Both authors, Mark Brymer and John Jacobson, are veterans at creating and producing theatre for children.

Productions

Dallas Summer Musicals Academy of Performing Arts, in partnership with local live-show production company, WOW! Entertainment, Inc., presented Do You Wanna Dance? This production was directed by Steven Kavner (Peabody Award-winning producer and DSM Academy instructor) and produced by the Dallas Summer Musicals Academy of Performing Arts. 

Trivia

  • John Jacobson, a co-author of Do You Wanna Dance?, has become a YouTube sensation and is known to many as the “Double Dream Hands Guy." 

Critical Reaction

“It was an afternoon of great fun and lively entertainment.”
– Lakewood.bubblelife.com

“This groundbreaking musical is the first in a series of musicals created by WOW! Entertainment especially for kids.”
www.visitgrandprairietx.com

Are you looking for a musical with lots of roles so all your students can be involved? One that is entertaining, fast moving and light?  One with “ear worm” songs and hip, dancing beats?  Then JukeBox Musical’s Do You Wanna Dance is for you!
– DramaMommaSpeaks.com​

My kids are thrilled to death and so excited to be doing this musical. I think it's a GREAT show and it's really nice to not have to think about content or anything along those lines. Thank you again for this show. We're looking forward to having fun and putting it onstage in March.
– Beth Smith, Norwayne High School​

Connect

Billing

Requirements

You must give the authors/creators billing credits, as specified in the Production Contract, in a conspicuous manner on the first page of credits in all programs and on houseboards, displays and in all other advertising announcements of any kind.
Percentages listed indicate required type size in relation to title size.
You agree to bill the Play and Owner in all programs, houseboards, displays and in all advertising and all paid publicity, in the following manner:
DO YOU WANNA DANCE?
(100%)
Jukebox Musicals ®
(25%)
 
Book by
MARK BRYMER and JOHN JACOBSON
(50%)
 
In addition to the above billing, MTI and Owner will mutually agree how to incorporate the JUKEBOX MUSICALS® brand into the billing for the Play.
SHORTENED BILLING
In advertisements of 1/4 page size or less, or where only the title of the play, performance dates and venue are provided, the following "shortened billing" is permissible:
DO YOU WANNA DANCE?
Jukebox Musicals ®
 
Do You Wanna Dance? - Music Publishing Credits
 
MTI shall require that the billing for the musical compositions appear on or appurtenant to the “Staff Credit Page” of the program for all licensed productions of the Play.
“BOOGIE WONDERLAND”
Written by Allee Willis and Jonathan Lind
Published by EMI Blackwood Music Inc., EMI April Music Inc., Almo Music Corp.,
Irving Music Corp. and Big Mystique Music.
 
“BUST A MOVE”
Written by Matt William Dike, Marvin Bruce Young, Luther Rabb and James Walters
Published by BMG Firefly on behalf of Ex Vw, Inc., Arlovol Music c/o The Bicycle Music Company,
and Microhits Music Corp.
 
“DANCING IN THE STREET”
Written by Ivy Hunter, Marvin Gaye, and William Stevenson
Published by Jobete Music Co. Inc., MGII Music, NMG Music, FCG Music, 
and Stone Agate Music (a division of Jobete Music Co. Inc.).
 
“DANCING MACHINE”
Written by Donald E. Fletcher, Hal Davis, and Weldon Dean Parks
Published by Jobete Music Co. Inc. & Stone Diamond Music Corp.
 
“DO YOU WANNA DANCE”
Written by Bobby Freeman
Published by Bobby Freeman Music and Clockus Music
 
“HOW SWEET IT IS (TO BE LOVED BY YOU)”
Written by Brian Holland, Edward Holland Jr., and Lamont Dozier
Published by Jobete Music Co., Inc. and Stone Agate Music (A Division of Jobete Music Co., Inc.)
 
"NEUTRON DANCE"
Written by Danny Sembello and Allee Willis
Published by Universal Music Corp., Songs Of Universal, Inc. on behalf of itself and Streamline Moderne Music
 
“POLITICS OF DANCING”
Written by Paul Fishman
Published by Jambo Music Ltd.
 
“SHAKE YOUR BOOTY”
Written by Harry Casey and Richard Raymond Finch
Published by EMI Longitude Music and Harrick Music, Inc.
 
"SHAKE YOUR GROOVE THING"
Written by Frederick J. Perren and Dino Fekaris
Published by Universal PolyGram International Publishing, Inc. on behalf of itself and Perren-Vibes Music, Inc.
 
“WALKING ON SUNSHINE”
Written by Kimberly Rew
Published by BMG Platinum Songs
 
“WHY CAN'T I DANCE”
Written by Mark Brymer and John Jacobson
Published by Brymark Publishing Co.
 
"YOUR MAMA DON'T DANCE"
Written by Kenneth Clark Loggins and James M. Messina
Published by Universal Music Corp. and Almo Music Corp. on behalf of Jasperilla Music Co.

Video Warning

In accordance with the Performance License, you MUST include the following warning in all programs and in a pre-show announcement:
ANY VIDEO AND/OR AUDIO RECORDING OF THIS PRODUCTION IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

If you purchase a video license to allow non-commercial video recording of this production, then you MUST include the following warning in all programs and in a pre-show announcement:
ANY VIDEO RECORDING MADE OF THIS PERFORMANCE IS AUTHORIZED FOR PERSONAL, AT-HOME, NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY. THE SALE OR DISTRIBUTION OF SUCH RECORDING IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED UNDER FEDERAL COPYRIGHT LAW.

Included Materials

ItemQuantity Included
LIBRETTO/VOCAL BOOK32
PIANO CONDUCTOR'S SCORE2
STUDENT REHEARSAL CD1

Production Resources

Resource
HOW DOES THE SHOW GO ON-10/CS
HOW DOES THE SHOW GO ON?
KEYBOARDTEK
PERFORMANCE ACCOMPANIMENT CD (STD)
PERFORMANCE ACCOMPANIMENT RECORDING
PRODUCTIONPRO-DIGITAL SCRIPT/SCORE
REFERENCE RECORDING
REHEARSAL ACCOMPANIMENT RECORDING
SCENIC PROJECTIONS
SCENIC PROJECTIONS PRO
SCENIC PROJECTIONS-ANIMATED
SCENIC PROJECTIONS-STILL
STAGE WRITE APPLICATION
TRANSPOSITIONS-ON-DEMAND
VIDEO LICENSE

STANDARD ORCHESTRATION

InstrumentationDoubling
ALTERNATE ORCH PART 1
BASSELECTRIC BASS
DRUMS
GUITARELECTRIC GUITAR
KEYBOARD 2
PERCUSSIONCONGAS , GLOCKENSPIEL , HAND CLAPS , SHAKER , SUSPENDED CYMBAL , TAMBOURINE , TEMPLE BLOCKS , TIMPANI , WOOD BLOCKS
REED 1ALTO SAXOPHONE , FLUTE
REED 2TENOR SAXOPHONE
REED 3BARITONE SAXOPHONE
TROMBONE
TRUMPET
TRUMPET 2