Music in Motion’s “Magique” production Tuesday at Savannah Center was filled with tricks, treats, music and dance.
But one star would not cooperate in the show that runs through Thursday at Savannah Center.
Watch video of last night’s performance:
No, the star wasn’t a performer, but a stage prop that malfunctioned during a glorious tap display by Jim Caisse and Karen Bouffard. The dynamic dancing duo – wearing white outfits with silver sequins — performed “You Are My Lucky Star.” It was made famous by Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds in the film “Singing in the Rain.”
During the performance, a star prop on stage was supposed to light on-and-off on cue. It didn’t happen.
“We had a couple of opening night glitches and the star didn’t light up when it was supposed to,” Caisse said later. “But we kept going and we felt great. What a wonderful night.”
Bouffard agreed.
“Jim and I put all the energy we had into that number,” she said. “The star didn’t matter.”
The real stars of this fast-paced, entertaining blend of music and magic were the Music in Motion dancers. They seem inspired by the music and magical subject matter, not to mention a loud and appreciative audience that gave a long, standing ovation at the end of the night.
Credit must also go to directors Dianne Bolton and Caisse. He also did the choreography with Bouffard.
Singers Dave Vece, David Leshay, Jeri Lynne Fraser, Lisa Gallo and Glenda Wolff added vocal power. Melissa Caisse created imaginative and colorful set designs.
And let’s not forget Wally Libenson who performed a spellbinding illusion at the end of the night. We won’t spoil it by revealing the ending, but just say that Libenson isn’t the kind of a magician who gets tied up in knots over a performance.
The magic man kept his cool.
“This was a lot of fun,” Libenson said. He coached the dancers who, along with Presto the Clown, did little magic tricks all night long. “I love combining magic with dance,” Libenson added.
The show got off to a flying start with a circus stage set that featured a number of dancers – including Jo Gagne, Casey Hargreaves, Linda Swain, Teresa Kayler and Jeanne Krebs.
David Leshay soon crooned “World On a String” with Sunny Butler, Diane Arduin, Sue Burton, Nancy Dickson, Jean Riordan and Sue Rowley giving plenty of toe-tapping support.
Things got funky on “Boomshakalaka,” with a host of dancers adding spice to the song. The midway was filled with acrobats, illusions and big mirrors inside the fun house. That’s where Vicky Magee, Elaine Andrews, Jacqie Davis, Jim Flynn, Cheryl Hardeman, Mollie McCarthy, Sue Schroeder, Sally Spieth and Bouffard danced the night away.
“This was a unique, fast-paced show and dancers love that kind of presentation,” Spieth said afterwards. “This show did not drag. Dancing is always hard but we enjoy being up there on stage. That’s what drives us — to entertain an audience.”
The Enchanted Forest segment was filled with mystery and fantasy. Glenda Wolf, resplendent in a fuchsia-colored flowing gown, created her own magic singing, “Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo” from “Cinderella.”
Then, Vicky Magee moved with graceful elegance as a forest fairy, with help from flowers Elaine Andrews, and Linda Sandberg.
David Vece supplied a soulful dose of Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition,” to those wandering through the forest.
The magic of nature began with thunder and lighting, as the dancers – including Jim Flynn, Cathye Leshay, Jill Brewer, and Bev Wehrheim – scurried around the stage coping with Zeus, played by David Vece.
Michael Jackson’s “Black or White” gave a modern edge to hot choreography delivered by Sue Prince, Carol Putrelo along with Spieth, McCarthy and Schroeder.
A salute to “Frozen,” showcased the voice of Lisa Gallo, who sang “Let It Go,” and with a touch of contemporary ballet by the dancers. Jeri Lynne Fraser displayed a potent vocal during a number called “Set Fire to the Rain.”
That set the stage for the final act, billed as “Classical Magic.” Libenson did a few card tricks before his grand illusion. Leshay sang the old Steve Miller rocker, “Abracadabra,” and there was another baby boomer rock number, “I’m A Believer.”
“Mirror Magic,” offered a soft, lyrical dance interpretation by Paige Fleming, Judy Jonas, Joyce Schenk and Sue Rowley.
The entire company took the stage for the finale, “Magique.” It began with “Do You Believe in Magic” and ended with the cast singing and dancing to “That’s Entertainment.”
The audience stood on its feet and roared with approval.
“I think people loved this show because it moved so fast,” Cathye Leshay said in a lobby jammed with well-wishers and exhausted but happy dancers. “When you’re a dancer, this is what we live for. There’s only one way to keep going: don’t stop.”
That’s the magic formula for Music in Motion.
