Mean girls

CAPE PLAYHOUSE DIRECTOR/CHOREOGRAPHER

Scenic Design: David L. Arsenault
Costume Design: Johanna Pan
Associate Costume Designer: Benjamin Burton
Lighting Design: Dalton Hamilton
Sound Design: Elisabeth Weidner
Projection / Video Design: Michael Salvatore Commendatore
Wig and Hair Design: Bobbie Zlotnik
Associate Director/Chore: Betty Weinberger and Melissa J. Hunt
Artistic Director: Eric Rosen

behind the scenes

Gi0rdano dance chicago

RESIDENT CHOREOGRAPHER

Al was appointed Resident Choreographer for the iconic Giordano Dance Chicago in 2024 and his since created 5 original works for the company. Entering their 64th season, GDC is America’s original jazz dance company and is an iconic cultural institution with deep roots in Chicago and around the globe. His works include Gershwin in B, Sana (with original music by Stahv Danker), Caravan, and Dumb Luck! and are a testament to his respect and adoration for the Giordano organization and the vibrant singular art form of jazz dance. In April 2027 the company will premiere his newest Broadway inspired work at the Harris Theater in Chicago.

CHICAGO TRIBUNE

see chicago dance

Giordano dance

OGUNQUIT PLAYHOUSE DIRECTOR/CHOREOGRAPHER

Often called Broadway’s perfect musical, this Tony Award-winner finds big-time high roller Sky Masterson gambling everything he’s got to make reluctant Salvation Army reformer Miss Sarah Brown fall in love with him. Featuring such memorable tunes as “Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat,” “Luck Be a Lady,” and “I’ve Never Been in Love Before.” Guys and Dolls is guaranteed to charm audiences of all ages.

Set/Video Design : Adam Koch and Steven Royal
Light Design: Dalton Hamilton

Guys & Dolls

“Al Blackstone’s is the most satisfying version of this beloved classic I have ever seen, and that includes the fabled Jerry Zaks Broadway revival and The Bridge’s immersive London staging. That’s because Ogunquit has attended to the two most important tasks: telling the story with urgency and heart, and casting iconic roles perfectly. ”

— VERINI VIEWS

SIT DOWN YOU'RE ROCKIN' THE BOAT

SUE ME

SHOW TRAILER

IF (Paramount pictures)

ASSOCIATE CHOREOGRAPHER

Directed by John Krasinski, the film features a young girl who goes through a difficult experience begins to see everyone's imaginary friends who have been left behind as their real-life friends have grown up. Choreographed by Mandy Moore, Al Blackstone’s contributions included: movement direction with cast, including actress Fiona Shaw, director John Krasinski and actor Ryan Reynolds. Additionally, Al helped coordinate with the live-action capture and animation in the film and is also featured on screen as a dancer. Released in 2024, IF is a joyous cinematic journey celebrating the power of imagination and the child within all of us.

trailer

Courtesy of Paramount Pictures, via Chicago Reader

ANASTASIA

CAPE PLAYHOUSE CHOREOGRAPHER

Featuring the popular songs from the original animated feature and more, Anastasia is a sweeping musical adventure that transports its audience from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s. A brave young woman named Anya sets out to discover the mystery of her past but is pursued by a ruthless Soviet officer determined to silence her.

guys & dolls

MALTZ JUPITER THEATER DIRECTOR/CHOREOGRAPHER

A Musical Fable of Broadway Get ready to roll the dice and fall in love with all the characters in Guys and Dolls. This high-energy musical set in the bustling 1950’s Big Apple, is filled with favorite show tunes like, “Luck Be A Lady” and “Sit Down You’re Rockin the Boat.” Join the gamblers, the dames and the dreamers for a night of pure entertainment and fun with this Tony Award® winning favorite!

Adam Koch (Set Design); Steven Royal (Video Design); JoHanna Pan (Costume Design); Dalton Hamilton (Lighting Design)

an american in paris

THE CAPE PLAYHOUSE DIRECTOR/CHOREOGRAPHER

Featuring the gorgeous music of George Gershwin, An American in Paris is a musical play inspired by the 1951 film of the same name and adapted for the stage by Christopher Wheeldon with a book by Craig Lucas. The romantic story of a young American soldier, a beautiful French girl and an indomitable European city, each yearning for a new beginning in the aftermath of war, this new production featured Josh Drake as Jerry Muligan and Leigh Ann Esty as Lise Dassin.

Associate Director/Choreographer: Melissa Hunt; Music Director: Garrett Taylor; Costume Design: David Withrow (DW); Scenic Design: David Arsenault; Lighting Design: Catherine Macdonald; Sound Design: Jacob Levitin; PSM: Libby Unsworth; ASM: Caroline M. Pastore; Casting: JZ CastinG; Assistant Director: Michael James Brown

PHOTO / MAGGIE HALL

Cape cod times

the dance journalist

DIRECTOR/CHOREOGRAPHER

This music video, made in collaboration with NYC indie-rock band The Ballet, was inspired by the hive-like world of the gay bathhouse. The joyous dance film, directed by Al Blackstone and Aidan Gibney and choreographed by Al Blackstone was filmed on location in a former Boys’ Club of New York and features a cast of 11 magnetic dancers and actors.

Directors: Al Blackstone & Aidan Gibney; Choreographer: Al Blackstone; Director of Photography: Aidan Gibney; Costumer: DW & Isabella Capponi; Assistant Choreographer: Alex Mitchell; Production Assistants: Jared Harbour, Raye Ramirez, Anakeiry Cruz, Greg Goldberg; Photographer: James Jin; Starring: Angad Kalsi, Beau Harmon, Brandon Ray Maxwell, Colin Cunliffe, Duncan Oldham, Ismael Gonzalez, Jovan Dansberry, Michael Santomassimo, Oliver Schilling, Ryan Kelly, & Yehuda Hyman; Filmed at The Joyce Center for Creativity and Dance

AT THE BATHHOUSE

PHOTO / JAMES JIN

music video

““Dance as long-form narrative storytelling tends to be the domain of ballet and Broadway, but Blackstone brings it to the contemporary dance stage in his Joyce debut, ‘Freddie Falls in Love.’ Blackstone, known for his choreography in ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ infuses his work with humor, theatrical flair and sharp technique - a combo that has earned him many fans.””

— New York Times

THE JOYCE THEATER DIRECTOR/CHOREOGRAPHER

A Broadway-style dance play, Freddie Falls in Love joyfully brings audiences along on a young man’s journey of self-discovery told solely through movement. Originally self-produced and presented at New York Signature Theatre, Freddie Falls in Love was later presented by the Joyce Theater for 2-weeks in 2019 with some of New York’s finest dancer/actors to bring this full-length story to life with style, energy, and a ton of heart.

freddie falls in love

dance informa

broadway world

show excerpts

CHOREOGRAPHER

Al has been nominated twice for his work on the show and won an Emmy for Best Choreography in a Variety or Reality television in 2020. The beloved series has resulted in some of the most iconic choreography of the 21st century and has brought hundreds of dancers and choreography together and directly into homes all over the world.

so you think you can dance

“What a dream! A sexy Broadway routine about pizza. This is why they give this show the Emmys.”

— Entertainment Weekly

“Al Blackstone’s choreography... ‘is emotional and absolutely stunning.’”

— BuddyTV

SYTYCD Videos

Curriculum Vitae