By Torri Adams
Odyssey Dance Theatre, founded by Darryl Yeager, has done it again. Year after year, Thriller has been a show that has entertained audiences with fun choreography, great sets, amazing costumes and make-up, and incredible talent. This year is no different, and Tuacahn Center for the Arts is just the place to see it.
Choreographed by Yeager, the show opens with the iconic Thriller number. If the music isn’t enough to get you in the Halloween spirit, the zombies dancing on the stage will be sure to do it. The dancers’ abilities are awe-inspiring. It is obvious how much the troupe practices by their synchronicity. Hours of rehearsal pay off as you will tap your feet or dance in your seat to this energetic number.
Zombies are only the beginning, though. Other dances include mummies, scarecrows, vampires, and skeletons. “Curse of the Mummy” incorporates different styles of dance to interest all audiences. Choreographers Chantele Cook, Rick Robinson, and Yeager “wrap” lyrical and hip-hop all into one number. I was amazed at the dancers’ abilities to appear boneless and loose while still keeping complete control over their body movement.
Every dance teacher in the audience will either laugh or cry—or both—while watching “Miss Alli’s Nightmare” (choreographed by Kelly Messerly and Nancy Hansen.) This creative and humorous number depicts a teacher’s worst nightmare of a dance recital and captures each of the classic personalities in a young dance class.
Humor is also a key element in the dance “Frankenstein & Frankenstein.” This has been a favorite number for years. Yeager’s choreography requires the dancers in this number show incredible ballet technique while still playing their character roles. I often wonder how the female dancer (lead dancers differ from performance to performance) must feel at the end of this dance after being flopped around so much. Her strength and flexibility and commitment to the character are fabulous. The strength of the male dancer is also very impressive as he maneuvers and lifts his partner. It is a number that entertains on numerous levels.
From hip-hop to ballet to tap, Thriller touches many styles of dance. “Dem Bones” (choreographed by Michelle Butterfield) includes a fun use of black lights as skeletons come out to dance in the night. Another show of technique and fun use of costumes make this a very memorable tap number.
Thriller just wouldn’t be the same without Yeager’s “Jason Jam.” Often depicted on promotional posters, this is a stomp dance that will blow you away. With the use of various props, chainsaws included, the “Jasons” make their own beats. It is very impressive that they are so together without any music to count or cue them. To make it even more impressive, they are each wearing masks that inhibit peripheral vision, so they must use a sixth sense to be so in sync. Over the years, this dance has evolved into more of a comedy number. While it is amusing, the comedic improv has lengthened to a point where you lose some of the enjoyment from the dancing. I found myself thinking on a couple of occasions that they needed to move things along at a quicker pace. I would recommend you be on alert if you are sitting toward the front of the audience; they just may invite you up on stage.
“Chucky-Rama,” another of Yeager’s works, is one more iconic number in the Thriller line-up. Younger dancers dance to the classical tune, “In the Hall of the Mountain King,” while sporting “Chucky” costumes. Impressive acrobatics and fun dancing are incorporated into this unique number.
My favorite number, choreographed by Chantele Cook, is “Salem’s Mass,” which plays on the idea of innocent women coming back as witches to get revenge on those who accused them. This is another number that uses set pieces and costumes to truly illustrate the story. There are points where dancers mirror each other and their precision is phenomenal. The lyrical dancing throughout the whole number is beautiful. In addition to the set and costumes, this number uses some pyrotechnics that enhance the experience. This is a number that I hope will never be removed from the program.
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Transitions between numbers are even entertaining as you watch clever videos (Scott Winn Film, choreographed by Jason Celaya) of dancing storm-troopers and wizards. The videography and choreography in these films keep you captivated while sets are changed and dancers prepare for the next number. I love that these transition videos are kept in the dance realm, as I went to experience a dance concert.
“Bubbles The Clown” (John Boy) is another interlude. This amusing character will make you laugh out loud. There were moments when some of his time on stage seemed a little unnecessary though. The set had been changed long before his exit and his jokes weren’t always enough to keep my interest the entire time. However, he still had a way to capture the audience’s attention and engage them in his act. Some of my favorite moments were when he was obviously taken off-guard by a situation but amused himself at what was going on. He is definitely a memorable and talented clown.
Overall, the show does not disappoint—times ten. From start to finish, with so much variety, all audiences are sure to find something they love about Thriller. If this isn’t a tradition in your family yet, this year is the year to start. You’ll find yourself laughing and applauding at the incredible abilities of these performers. Be sure to stay after to catch a picture with some of the dancers, and don’t be surprised if a zombie or two show up in your photos.
Odyssey Dance Theatre presents Thriller
Tuacahn Center for the Arts Amphitheatre, 1100 Tuacahn Drive, Ivins, Utah 84738
October 26-31, Showtimes vary
Tickets: $21.00-$35.00
Tuacahn Center for the Arts Facebook Page
Odyssey Dance Theatre Facebook Page
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