Those creepy, crawly, spooky Villages’ dancers are back from the dead.
Like the monster that wouldn’t die, Shaka Crew has returned, ready to haunt The Villages this Halloween season.
Violet Ray formed Shaka Crew back in 2009 and the dancers made its “Thriller” show a Halloween tradition here. But after 2015, the holiday grind took a toll and the 16 dancers decided to put a stake in the Crew’s heart.
After seven years, it was finished.
“We all needed a break; it was a lot of work, especially doing so many shows in October,” said Ray, one of The Villages most talented and in-demand dancers. She leads the Aloha ‘O Ka Hula dance group and also belongs to Evolution Dance. Ray is also choreographing the musical, “Young Frankenstein” this October in Savannah Center.
Despite the busy schedule, Ray decided to make Shaka Crew – in the words of Dr. Frankenstein – come “alive.”
“I had a lot of interest from dancers who wanted to bring it back,” Ray said. “Plus, we had some new dancers who wanted to be a part of it.”
So, with a line-up of 22 assorted ghouls, zombies and vampires, the Crew is back for a new season. Nearly 10 shows have been booked for October, including appearances at the Town Squares. A few dates remain open and those interested in booking the Crew should contact the dance company at danzndoll@maui.net.
Ray is as happy to be scaring Villagers once again.
“I’m back to being a zombie and I love it,” she said. “We don’t just wear masks or costumes; we want to look like the walking dead.”
Bill Ray, Violet’s husband, is also back to emcee the show. Other longtime Crew members, including witchy Lydia Leduc and vamp-man Bob Petrucelli have also returned with many of the original dancers.
“It’s great to be back,” Petrucelli said. “What’s not to like about costumes, monsters and Halloween? People can’t get enough of this show.”
Petrucelli with his black cape, bloody lips and chalk-white color, is the perfect Dracula. He plays one of the lead roles in “Thriller,” the Crew’s trademark song. He also sings “Monster Mash” and recites a poem, “Old Boris.”
“I think the people in the audience enjoy this show as much as we do,” Petrucelli said.
Sometimes, it really does get scary.
Petrucelli remembered one show at an assisted living facility.
“I came out as Dracula and one guy started grabbing his heart. I was worried he might have a heart attack. But he was OK. He enjoyed the show.”
Lydia Leduc has been with the Crew since the beginning. In the current show she will sing “Witchy Woman,” “Spooky” and “I Put a Spell On You.”
“I love being a witch,” she said. “I can act up and nobody cares. People love us – including little kids and grandparents. It’s a good time and something different.”
Kathi Cahall is one of the six new dancers with Shaka Crew.
“I never saw the show before, but I love being a part of this,” she said. “I feel like a kid, dressing up and having fun. But that’s what life is like in The Villages. We all get to act like kids again. There are a lot of adults here who still have a kid inside them.”
One of them is Violet Ray.
“Violet is the heart and soul of Shaka Crew,” Petrucelli said “She’s the one who makes everything work.”
It was Ray who came up with the name Shaka Crew. In Hawaii, where Ray lived, shaka is a hand gesture, which means, “hang loose.”
“I’m so glad we’re back because we’re all hanging loose and having fun,” Ray said. “I know I’m having a blast.”
