Staging of 'Syncopation' That's Seamless

"The choreographer Lainie Sakakura's grasp of the interpretive possibilities of even the most elementary tangos and fox-trots are in step with Mr. Knee's narrative and the characters' quirks of temperament...Dancing may seem too facile a metaphor for dreams, for flight, for a harmonious life on earth. But ''Syncopation'' convinces us that it should get to be a habit." (Read more) The New York Times by Alvin Klein

An Album Of Fosse

"The ghost of the man being celebrated -- blurred and fleeting but definitely there -- first shows up when the girl bursts onstage with a scream...At the sound of that scream, which echoes not with terror but with irrepressible energy, a slender, elfin-faced fellow with a goatee shoots into view, sliding on his side like a runaway roller skate. The orchestra is playing Cole Porter's ''From This Moment On,'' as the couple perform an acrobatic, exuberant and exasperated mating dance, an ode to percolating hormones. You've just received, in darkest January, a quick infusion of springtime, and it's impossible not to grin...The vignette, here vibrantly performed by Andy Blankenbuehler and Lainie Sakakura, is a re-creation of the first sequence Fosse choreographed for film, a scene from the 1953 movie of ''Kiss Me, Kate,'' danced by Fosse and Carol Haney." The New York Times by Ben Brantley

Goodspeed makes a grand, intimate return with ‘A Grand Night for Singing’ Oct 7,  2021

"...choreographer Lainie Sakakura shines with ingenuity and progressive spirit. There’s a lot of casual, natural movement in the show that slyly grows into full ensemble dances." Hartford Courant by Christopher Arnott

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Goodspeed reopens with Rodgers and Hammerstein hits

"Lainie Sakakura’s dance numbers sizzle" The Westfield News by Mark G. Auerbach

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'A Grand Night for Singing' at Goodspeed Musicals

"The show was charmingly choreographed by Lainie Sakakura; the dancing adds much to the look of the scenes in which it is included." The Patch by Nancy Sasso Janis

ONCE at Pioneer Theatre Company Fully Captivates

"Credit the Choreographer Lainie Sakakura with the director how each scene efficiently flows on the tastefully used rotating set by Scenic Designer Yoon Bae." (Read more) Broadway World Review by by Blair Howell

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PTC's 'Once' a musical feast that will have audience members falling quickly

"Some of the most enjoyable moments of the show were the musical interludes as the cast switched from one scene to another. During these moments it felt like the performers were having the time of their lives playing together. The irresistible beat along with the choreography made you want to dance right along with them." (Read more) Deseret News by Hannah LaFond

Dancing Majesty Takes the Stage in Fisher's The Little Dancer, Theatre 71, NYC "Directed by Richard Vida and choreographed by Lainie Sakakura, The Little Dancer is dazzling Upper West Side audiences with the poignant story it has to tell. This musical has every lovable quality a person can ever desire..." (Read more) Broadway World Review by Kristen Morale

‘Hot Mikado’ swings with engaging style"… with sensational choreography by Lainie Sakakura the addition of swing notes, tap dance, zoot suits and all around jazzification in “Hot Mikado” sweeps away the Victorian fustiness of Gilbert & Sullivan’s original operetta, “The Mikado,” and infuses it with a playful touch of naughtiness..."Chicago Sun-Times by Hedy Weiss

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Damn Yankees, Marriott Theatre"The big blessing, however, is the hard-hoofing ensemble: directed by Bell and Lainie Sakakura, the dances are a joyful force of nature." (Read more) Chicago Reader by by Lawrence Bommer

Packed Majestic Theater Sees Unforgettable Tribute To Broadway's Great Composer-Lyricist Cy Coleman

"...as the full compliment of dance hall floozies belted out "Hey, Big Spender!" from "Sweet Charity," Bob Fosse's fabulous choreography of that slice of lowbrow sex life in New York re-created by Lainie Sakakura, featuring the still-sexy, God bless them, Ann Reinking and Chita Rivera." Playbill

Articles & Interviews

BroadwayWorld Exclusive Photo Coverage: Inside THE KING AND I's Gypsy Robe Ceremony!

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Playbill: The Unsung Stories of Broadway's Long-running Ensemblists

BroadwayWorld Photo Flash: Lainie Sakakura Ushers in the Year of the Dog at P.S. 87 with Ali Ewoldt,Telly Leung

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Lainie Sakakura Ushers in the Year of the Monkey at PS 87 with Ann Harada, Jose Llana, Telly Leung...

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East Bay Times: Fresh from Broadway, Family Opens Studio