Musical numbers we want to see on Strictly Come Dancing

It’s almost Musicals Week on Strictly Come Dancing!

Now, Strictly and musicals go hand in hand, not only because of the glitz and the glamour, the sets, the costumes, and the wigs, hair, and make-up! Over recent years, we’ve seen an increase in stage performers competing (WhatsOnStage Award winner Layton Williams got to the final a couple of years back, and Amber Davies is currently dancing with the same pro), and even Strictly pros (and judges!) are cha-cha-ing into stage productions.

Many contestants who get the dancing bug also transition into a musical theatre career – take Joe Sugg, Maisie Smith, and Karim Zeroual, for example.

Musical theatre is celebrated plenty on the BBC dance competition. Each week, Natalie Paris, an original Six Queen and stage regular, who also appeared in Pretty Woman with Davies, is a vocalist on the show.

Meanwhile, earlier in the series, Cynthia Erivo was a guest mentor during Movie Week, and Rachel Zegler performed “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina” during Icons Week.

With so many musical theatre numbers to choose from, we were inspired to pick out the ones we’d love to see performed on the show. Got your own suggestions? Please do send us a message on social media!

“All I’ve Ever Known” from Hadestown

Full disclosure, we have a soft spot for the slow, romantic numbers that would suit a Rumba – this is the first, and perfect for Eurydice and Orpheus.

“Being Alive” from Company

It’s a Stephen Sondheim staple for a reason and for good reason. The musical’s conclusion is an examination of romantic relationships, and, if rearranged, a Waltz would give a couple a chance to be held too close and feel alive.

“Buenos Aires” from Evita

What’s new… we’re still in our Evita phase! We could see a couple put on a show with a Samba to this number. In fact, so many Evita tunes lend themselves to the dancefloor, and “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina” could make a lovely Viennese Waltz with a little tweak to the arrangement.

“By the Sea” from Sweeney Todd

The Strictly creative team could really let their imaginations run wild with a Sweeney Todd number, and the glistening nostalgia of “By the Sea” would make a fun Charleston or jazz.

“Candy Store” from Heathers 

Strictly, whatcha waiting for? Heathers has a whole catalogue of numbers to dance to, and “Candy Store” could be “Big Fun” for a Jive.

“Carnaval del Barrio” from In the Heights

It would be a feast to see In the Heights on the Strictly dancefloor! We’d need a playful, hip-shaking couple to pull off this salsa.

“Once Upon a December” from Anastasia

We can’t get the idea of a waltz to this number out of our heads – it would be so beautifully haunting and make the nation fall in love with the musical that we’re still eagerly waiting to arrive on UK shores! We’ll also give an extra nod to “No One Else” from Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812.

“Raise You Up / Just Be” from Kinky Boots

Strictly is no stranger to Kinky Boots, famed and adored for its choreography (in the recent revival, we have Leah Hill to thank), and even launching the musical theatre career of pro Johannes Radebe! There’s a chance for the show to raise up Jojo’s achievements of the last year – and more to come in the West End – with a rousing Cha Cha Cha to “Raise You Up / Just Be”.

“Say My Name” from Beetlejuice

With the news that Beetlejuice is finally heading to UK shores next year, it’s time for the general public to really get behind it! A playful and mischievous Cha Cha Cha would fit “Say My Name” and allow some mega characterisation!

“Seasons of Love” from Rent

Idina Menzel sang this number during Musicals Week in 2019, but no couple has danced to it in the competition! It would work lovely as a Rumba. Failing that, there’s always the “Tango Maureen”!

“Waving Through a Window” from Dear Evan Hansen

Benj Pasek and Justin Paul’s award-winning score from Dear Evan Hansen has been heard on Strictly Come Dancing when Ben Platt sang “You Will Be Found” during 2021’s Movie Week. However, we’d like to see a couple Foxtrot to “Waving Through a Window”.

“What I Did for Love” from A Chorus Line

The pressure is certainly on when dancing to A Chorus Line, but “What I Did For Love” could soundtrack a really beautiful contemporary or lyrical piece as a Couples Choice.

“What is this Feeling?” from Wicked

Last year, we had two dances to Wicked following the well-deserved hype of the first movie. However, we would love to see a dynamic duo take on the feuding number “What is this Feeling?”, preferably to a Quickstep, but if Dave Arch and his band feel so inclined to change the arrangement, it could make a fiery Paso Doble.

“Gimme Gimme” from Thoroughly Modern Millie

It was only in 2019 that Emma Barton and Anton Du Beke received a perfect score for their Charleston of the title song. However, “Gimme Gimme” could do the same, or lend to a Quickstep.

“The Room Where It Happens” from Hamilton

An American Smooth for an American Founding Father! It would be as dramatic as it sounds.