Music In Motion’s dance extravaganza Monday in Savannah Center was a joyous celebration of family bonds, theatrical history and Broadway melodies.
Put it all together with a thick slice of New York City and you have “Broadway With a Twist.” It will be presented tonight and Wednesday at 7. Both performances are sold out as was Monday’s.
Watch video of the show here:
The show was filled with dynamic costumes, masterful choreography and powerful vocals. It also included something unique to a local production – a male chorus line of nine dancers. There were also videos featuring highlights of life in the Big Apple.
But it was dance that dominated the night. The Music In Motion crew displayed everything from funk to jazz to tap to ballet to old-time rag. Jim Caisse and Dianne Bolton were the co-directors who somehow brought cohesion to a cast of 50 dancers, 10 singers and at least 30 production numbers.
Caisse choreographed the event as did Karen Bouffard. For Caisse, it was a rare opportunity to dance with his daughter, Melissa Caisse, and his granddaughter, Kayla Luoma. Those two also choreographed part of the program.
“It was wonderful to be up on the stage with them in front of packed house,” Jim Caisse said after the show. “The audience was terrific and I think everybody in the show fed off the audience’s energy.”
Especially Caisse’s kin, who live up north.
“We used to dance together all the time but we don’t get to do it much anymore,” Melissa Caisse said. “It was great to dance together again.
Kayla Luoma thrilled the crowd with acrobatic and graceful moves during a solo on “Music and the Mirror” from “A Chorus Line” and “Let Me Be Your Star,” from “Smash.”
“They’re the ones who taught me how to dance,” Luoma said, pointing to Jim and Melissa Caisse. “I was a student, and tonight I was on stage with my teachers.”
About the only Caisse not on stage was Jim’s wife Ann, who sat in the audience. “I watched the whole thing; they all can dance,” she said with a smile.
The program began with some thumping beats as singer David Vece ripped into “Uptown Funk,” as a host of dancers turned in some hot moves.
Soulful sounds from another era were next on “This Joint is Jumpin’” from “Ain’t Misbehavin’.” Things calmed down for a “Stroll in the Park,” which just happened to be Central Park. The dancers added to the sweet serenity of the number with pink dresses and parasols.
Things got a little nasty on the New York City Streets as sultry temptress Sally Spieth made her intentions clear, singing “Everybody’s Girl.”
Another highlight came in “Chinatown” featuring a smooth “Slow Boat to China” with dancers Vicky Magee, Catheye Leshay, Diane Arduin, Jill Brewer, Sue Burton, Barbara Byers, Nancy Dickson, Lynne Greenberger, Jean Riordan, Sue Rowley, Linda Swain and Roxana Worth, along with Jim Caisse and Jim Flynn.
Carolyn Hoffman sang some operatic selections from “The Phantom.” Six dancers – Arduin, Brewer, and Rowley along with Lee Beery, Paige Fleming and Judy Jonas — wearing Phantom capes and masks surrounded her with elegant moves.
Don Volkman gave “I Don Quixote” from “Man of La Mancha” a stirring vocal as dancers in yellow dresses and hats provided a Spanish dance.
Other highlights included scenes from “All That Jazz” and “A Chorus Line.” David Leshay and Janet Maloney combined for a delightful duet on “Let’s Face the Music and Dance.”
Sharon Archer powered her way through “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” while Debbie Carter lifted the spirits with “I Feel Pretty.” David Vece did some serious gender-bending on “A Little More Mascara” from “La Cage Aux Folles.”
It was all part of a fast-paced, entertaining show.
“Everything came together tonight, it just flowed,” Karen Bouffard said. “It was high energy all night long,” added dancer Mollie McCarthy.
The finale turned into a climatic show stopper as the entire cast went through a medley of 17 show songs that captured the sound and spirit of Broadway.
