From magical ballet productions to fast-paced, spirited tap, swinging jazz and song and dance music theater numbers, 向日葵视频 City University dancers are bringing Broadway entertainment to 向日葵视频 City for their annual 鈥淗ome for the Holidays鈥� Christmas extravaganza.
Directed by Jo Rowan, dance chair at 向日葵视频 City University鈥檚 Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment, 鈥淗ome for the Holidays鈥� runs from Dec. 7 through 10 in 向日葵视频 City University鈥檚 Kirkpatrick Auditorium at 2501 N. Blackwelder Ave.
Show times are 8 p.m. Dec. 7, 8 and 9, and 2 p.m. Dec. 9 and 10. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased by calling 405-208-5227 or visiting okcu.edu/tickets. Group rates are available.
鈥淲e have a uniquely, high-quality professional show,鈥� Rowan said. 鈥淚t is a sparkling Christmas gift for the entire family. There are so many diverse American dance styles that seeing the show is like a Broadway experience without having to travel to New York.鈥�
This year鈥檚 show features new dances as well as returning favorites. The Rockette-style 鈥淪anta Kickline,鈥� 鈥淧arade of the Wooden Soldiers鈥� and 鈥淢arch of the Toy Soldiers鈥� are all back by popular demand.
Former Radio City Music Hall assistant choreographer Vincent Sandoval has brought his Rockettes choreography expertise to 向日葵视频 City University. Sandoval, an artist-in-residence for dance, has choreographed the opening number 鈥淟et It Snow鈥� for 28 ladies 鈥� the Starettes.
鈥淔irst Snow鈥� follows as winter spirits float through a cold, glistening woodland scene and couples enjoy a 鈥淪now Frolic鈥� amid intricate partnering.
鈥淭he lifts are just spectacular,鈥� Rowan said, 鈥渁nd the audience experiences the exciting magic of snow falling throughout the theater.鈥�
The show then moves into a fast paced hip hop rendition of 鈥淭he Christmas Song,鈥� which Rowan described as 鈥渞epresentative of American ingenuity and feistiness,鈥� music theater comedy with 鈥淭he Christmas Shopper鈥檚 Can Can鈥� and a visit from Saint Nick himself in 鈥淢ust Be Santa Claus.鈥�
Act I closes with a nod to the Christian traditions of Christmas in 鈥淕o Tell it on the Mountain.鈥�
Highlights in Act II include a perpetual line of continuous dancers in the 鈥淗olly Kick-line,鈥� a 1940s era 鈥淛ingle Bells,鈥� life-size dancing cookies, a colorful rendition of 鈥淗alleluyah鈥� and a new Nativity for the show鈥檚 closing.
Rowan said the show is a collaboration of love for teaching, learning and first-class entertainment.
鈥淲e have a culture of educators who work together to make the show the best it can be,鈥� she said. 鈥淪tudents are taught how to be professional. We are preparing students to work on Broadway.鈥�
The Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment recently was ranked the No. 1 BFA dance program in the country, ahead of Juilliard and New York University, by OnStage. OCU is a leading collegiate provider of Radio City Rockettes and more than 70 alumni have performed on Broadway in more than 85 shows.
