Evolution Dance may have started a musical revolution Sunday night in Savannah Center.
It involved a live band; a dance company, a dog named Gracie and a raging bull blowing smoke out his nostrils.
Put them all together and you have “Let’s Face the Music and Dance.” The program will also be held again tonight (Monday) and Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Savannah.
Diane Vargas, leader of Evolution Dance, teamed with Jean Butler, director/conductor of The Villages Swing and Concert Bands, to marry live music with live dancing.
The result was a rare, artistic blend that proved to be an overwhelming success.
“We don’t think it has been done here for a dance program,” said Billie Thatcher, host for the evening. “It’s great to have the band playing for these dancers.”
There was something majestic about the full rich sound of the Swing Band that added a punch to the lively and entertaining choreography.
And then there was Little Gracie. The pooch appeared in a delightful “Tea for Two,” that featured about a dozen dancers waiting at the bus stop.
This scene was like a day in the life of people thrown together in the hustle-bustle grind of making it to or from home.
Diane Vargas, a former prima ballerina, is wondrously graceful. Vargas, along with Yuri Sohn, and Chip and Phip Fuller, displayed elegant cohesion in “Fur Elise.” Then Vargas teamed with Sohn and Phip Fuller in a blend of power and style on “Lux Aurumque.” Fuller showed remarkable strength lifting and holding the two female dancers in various poses.
The program kicked off in rousing style with the Broadway production number, “Let’s Face the Music and Dance.” Carter Poust and Sue Schuler combined with the cast in colorful costumes and plenty of high-kicking energy.
“Percussion Tap,” featured some dynamic toe-tapping with Rich Roeske on drums and dancers Rose Bianchini, Kathy Chesley-Williams, Rosie Theiss and Schuler.
“Carmina Burana,” was a daring, contemporary ballet number that closed the first act with the entire cast.
Then came the bull.
During “Espana Cani,” a Spanish gypsy dance, Frank Olive and Richard Blanchard found themselves in a bull’s costume and pranced around Savannah Center chasing the Lady in Red, also known as Mollie McCarthy.
McCarthy showed her comedic skill as a cleaning lady getting some ballet tips from dancer Judy Jonas.
Singing was also part of the show.
John Rogerson was in romantic form on “When I Fall In Love.” Jill Marrese supplied the soft vocal for “Mr. Bojangles,” as Carter Poust turned in an emotional dancing performance.
Billie Thatcher belted out “Mack the Knife” and had the joint jumping.
The Swing Band was blowing hot all night long. From “The Star Wars Theme” to “Take Five” to the “Magnificent Seven Theme,” to “After the Loving.”
Dance, however, was the essence of this program. The list included tango, zydeco, country, polka, Latin, Irish, German and Italian.
Choreographer Helene Yelverton somehow made the whole thing come together. Yelverton flashed her dancing skill, tapping with Chesley-Williams on “Shall We Dance.”
Diane Vargas, Phip Fuller, Rose Bianchini and Cheri Undell also choreographed numbers.