A sneak peek at Romeo + Juliet
(But remember. It's much better live!)
SHUT UP AND DANCE 2012! | February 1-11, 2012 | Kingsbury Hall
ROMEO+JULIET:
February 3, 6, 9, 11. (All R+J shows start at 7:30 pm)
Back by popular demand for the third year in a row, see what the Deseret News said was, "..to die for!" A full-length work, based on the Shakespearean tale about star-crossed lovers, but in the Odyssey tradition: a hip-hop version! Choreographed by Odyssey Principal Eldon Johnson, along with sections by Ashleigh and Ryan Di Lello from "So You Think You Can Dance," Derryl Yeager and others, this is a unique and powerful tour de force! Truly a highly charged and time honored story!
Tadd Guaddang will be reprising his role of the mischievous Mercutio in this production - After touring Europe with ODT this last year - he went on to huge success as he became the 3rd runner up in this last season of So You Think You Can Dance! Fresh off his 32- city SYTYCD Tour - we are especially excited that he was able to find time in his busy star-studded career to return to his ODT home and perform with his friends once again!
Ryan Di Lello and his wife Ashleigh captured the hearts of America as finalists of Season 6 of So You Think You Can Dance! Fresh off a London run of Burn the Floor - he and Ashleigh actually choreographed sections of Romeo and Juliet - and he will be joining the show in the role of Paris - Juliet's intended betrothed!
(Click the image below for more R+J pictures)
DANCESCAPES:
Feb 1 - 7:30 p.m., Feb 4 - 2:00 p.m., Feb 7 - 7:30 p.m., Feb 10 - 7:30 p.m.
This is an amazing Eclectic Evening of Dance from some of the best choreographers in the world! This production will include two world premiere works - an amazing new duet from Artistic Director Derryl Yeager and a new work from So You Think You Can Dance Choreographer - Mandy Moore! ODT will also bring back the haunting piece created several years ago by Dee Caspary, world renowned choreographer who did several works for "So You Think You Can Dance" this last season - his critically acclaimed - Monsieur Loyal (The Ringmaster)!
The evening will close with Justin Giles' company from LA - SoulEscape and his astonishing new work - "Beyond the Canvas!" This piece is an exploration on the congruency and lasting legacy of art. Justin begins with the canvas, and explores the stories beyond - bringing his own interpretation to the stage. Through this process, the audience will come to realize the progression of art forms and their influence upon each other. Art to art, Justin has taken the impression of other artists' work into the dancers bodies, and he is thrilled to share those emotional and decorative stories.
Artistic Director Derryl Yeager says: "Justin has created pieces for ODT in the past, and I've always loved his work! He has a unique style, with an important choreographic voice, and when I saw this production, I felt I needed to bring this amazing work to a larger Utah audience - who would appreciate his talent and the choreographic detail that empowers this great piece! It shouldn't be missed!"
SLEDGEHAMMER:
Feb 2 - 7:30 p.m., Feb 4 - 7:30 p.m., Feb 8 - 7:30 p.m., Feb 11 - 2:00 p.m.
This 40-minute Peter Gabriel Suite, choreographed by Artistic Director Derryl Yeager, was one of the first major works created for Odyssey. Sledgehammer is a blue-collar rock ballet--an ode to the common man that takes the audience on an exciting, touching, heartbreaking and heartwarming journey through everyday life. Danced in work jeans and t-shirts, this piece includes such Gabriel classics as Sledgehammer, Don't Give Up, In Your Eyes, Mercy Street, We Do What We're Told, and Big Time. "A Masterpiece!" - Deseret News
Also on the program with Sledgehammer will be THREE World Premiere Works! Elegy - a new work by associate director Veronica Yeager, a new work by associate director Eldon Johnson, and a new work by Christian Denice - former ODT dancer and most recently with River North Dance Chicago.
"I'm excited about each of these pieces! Each dancer has shown such amazing talent and ability, and I'm thrilled to be able to allow these dancers the opportunity to create works on Odyssey so that audiences can see the wave of future choreographers in our midst!"- says Artistic Director Derryl Yeager
