By LeAnna Hamblin
Odyssey Dance Theatre brings the Halloween spirit to audiences with their annual production of Thriller at Peery’s Egyptian Theater in Ogden, Utah. By combining many styles of dance, aerial acrobatics, and entertainment, Thriller is sure to please any audience member. It doesn’t take long to be immersed into the experience. Zombies crawl through the theater and lobby for some pre-show mood enhancing while traditional Halloween music plays in the background. By the first movement onstage, the audience is sufficiently creeped out. Artistic director and choreographer Derryl Yeager meticulously creates a show worth attending.
To open the show, the dance troupe performs a crowd favorite, “Thriller,” choreographed by D. Yeager. The choreography is stellar and pays homage to the late Michael Jackson. The dancers are excellent at staying in character and portraying the feel of the music and dance through their facial expressions. Then, from the haunting graveyard, the audience is transported to a cozy apartment where we see a carefree dance for the number “Home Alone.” The carefree feeling quickly becomes a nightmare as Erszi Bernath/Rachel Perry battle with the intruder. The psychological thrill this piece gives the audience makes one wonder if there is a difference between our imaginations and reality.
“Curse of the Mummy” is full of fun and variety, from Egyptian goddesses to break-dancing mummies. Choreographers Chantele Cook, Rick Robinson, and D. Yeager include something for everyone in this energizing piece. “Dino Dance” is whimsical and fun and includes puppetry in the form of a T-Rex. Tia Aiono, Veronica Yeager, D. Yeager, and Diego Ballesteros use their choreography skills to showcase the fun that can be had onstage during numbers like this. The hip-hop style by Ryan Moguel, Ballesteros/Tommy Green, and Da Girls engages the audience and gives a whole new meaning to paleontology.
The number “Miss Alli’s Nightmare” is not as scary as it sounds, unless you are dance instructor to the young, budding stars who perform it. While the dancers are not young children, they each play the role of a child who has his or her own personality that needs to shine onstage. This may not be the most technically advanced number, but I am sure this is a nightmare—of the best kind—for those who have lived through it.
The number “Frankenstein and Frankenstein” beautifully displays the talent and skill of Moguel/Green and Brooklyn Barton/Perry as they show off their ballet skills. The astounding lifts and impressive control are showcased as Barton/Perry plays dead.
The addition of aerial choreography, provided by Aeris Aerial Arts is featured in the numbers “Siren of the Sea,” (performed by Matisse Seal/Adelie Zupancic) “Phantom of the Opera,” (performed by Mark Webber and Makayla Finlinson) and “Slitherins” (performed by Amanda Johnson and Kelsey Conrad). Each number displays strength and control. The movement is purposeful, setting the artists up for the next movement. The grace and beauty in these numbers adds another dimension not usually seen in dance performances.
“Jason’s Jam,” performed by Green, Nick Hambrecht, Owen Fulton, Peiter Mortensen, Casey Peterson, Moguel, and Ballesteros is another crowd favorite. D. Yeager does an incredible job filling this piece with a mix of stand-up comedy, dance, and thrill. “Trick or Treat” is filled with tricks and technology. The costumes literally light the stage in this number. Costumers Cheryl Yeager and Daurene Turpin pull out all the stops in this culminating number, using all the nuances that makes Halloween magical.
The lighting for this production, designed by Kyle Baumann, is incredible—especially in “Salem’s Mass,” “Trick or Treat,” and “Dem Bones,” a tap number choreographed by Michelle Butterfield. The use of black light emphasizes the movement of the dancers, as the audience is only able to see “dem bones.”
“Salem’s Mass,” choreographed by Cook, is based around the Salem Witch Trials. During this number, the audience is treated to a beautiful contemporary piece which shows the change that can happen when one is wrongfully accused. The colorful lighting beautifully emphasizes the magic that is happening onstage.
Odyssey Dance Theatre’s Thriller is the perfect production to get anyone into the Halloween spirit. Peery’s Egyptian Theater in Ogden, Utah is a beautiful venue that perfectly fits the essence of this show. Any spectator, young or old, is sure to enjoy this stellar performance. Thriller does use strobe lighting, fog, and loud sound effects, and is not recommended for children under eight years of age or for the faint of heart.
Odyssey Dance Theatre presents Thriller.
Odyssey Dance Theatre, 10981 N 5600 W, Highland, Utah 84003
Performances at several venues. Please check the website for more information.
Contact: 801-495-3262 (DANCE)
Odyssey Dance Official Website
Odyssey Dance Theatre Facebook Page
Peery’s Egyptian Theatre, 2415 Washington Blvd, Ogden, UT 84401
Contact: 801-689-8700
Peery’s Egyptian Theatre Official Website
Peery’s Egyptian Theatre Facebook Page
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