40 | JANUARY 23 • 2020 

“I had choreographic ideas 
and the designers had some 
new design ideas. The tour is 
probably one step better than 
the Broadway production.”

— JOSHUA BERGASSE

continued from page 39
taught at his mom’
s studio 
and now teaches at New 
York schools, including the 
Broadway Dance Center and 
Steps on Broadway.
“Because of my 
choreography jobs, I call up 
different studios and say I’
m 
free on certain days and ask 
if they have any slots for me 
to teach. They slot me in. 
It’
s really a good deal for me 
and for them.”
Last year, when he 
directed and choreographed 
I Married an Angel at the 
New York City Center, he 
connected deeply with the 
theme. He has been married 
for just over a year to Sara 
Mearns, a star in that show 
and a principal dancer at 
New York City Ballet.
“We didn’
t have an actual 
Jewish wedding ceremony, 
but we were under a 
chuppah and did break 
the glass,” he says. “We 
got married on a beach in 

North Carolina. Together, 
we lit the Chanukah candles 
this past year.”
Bergasse, who returned 
to Michigan to celebrate 
Thanksgiving, will be 
in town April 19 for a 
gala to celebrate the 40th 
anniversary of the dance 
studio started by his mom 
and now managed by his 
brother, Mark. The brothers 
will perform together.
Involvement with 
the family dance studio 
makes Bergasse especially 
appreciative of involvement 
with Charlie and the 
Chocolate Factory.
“It’
s fun for the whole 
family,” he says. “There 
are great lessons in the 
show, but it’
s also super-
entertaining. One of my 
favorite moments is when 
the Oompa-Loompas 
(factory workers) make 
their first appearance (the 
show-stopping number).” 

Joshua Bergasse and Sara 
Mearns, both dancers, wed 
on a beach in North Carolina.

PERRY VAILE PHOTOGRAPHY

Arts&Life

theater

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STARTS JANUARY 6

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