Oklahoma City University’s internationally renowned American Spirit Dance Company will showcase American musical theater dance with its annual Broadway Review spring show from March 8 to 10.
The show opens with the Starettes dancing to “The Trolley Song,” a precision-line number. This year’s production will reflect the charm of the 1890s with candy pink costumes, straw hats and colorful ribbons. OCU's dance program is nationally renowned for producing Radio City Rockettes, with more than 50 alumni performing with the world famous dance company.
Directed by OCU dance Chairwoman Jo Rowan, audiences can sample a Broadway-like show through fast-paced tap, jazz and theatrical dances — all without traveling to New York — on the stage of OCU’s Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center.
The show features more than 100 dancers performing all American entertainment styles. Fast-paced tap and exciting jazz numbers will keep the audience on their toes and dancing in their seats. Theatre dances from classic musicals will move show goers to tears and laughter. Each dance is a tribute to the American dance styles of tap, jazz and ballet, to a 1900 Scott Joplin American Rag, Hip Hop “Glorious,” and ballroom “Embraceable You.”
“Crunchy Granola” in the style of Bob Fosse pays tribute to the choreographer, and keeps the show moving and grooving. Show goers will also step back in time to the MGM days of Hollywood musicals dripping in class, excitement and romance. The dynamic technique of OCU jive dancers will jump for joy to the fast paced big band sound of the 1940s.
This year’s show features a patriotic suite dedicated to those who have served and sacrificed. The suite encompasses stories from the Revolutionary War with “Mama Look Sharp,” the Civil War with “Letter to Sarah,” World War I, World War II and Vietnam. The suite concludes with a moving rendition of “God Bless America” and the “Preamble to the Constitution.” These patriotic numbers include 50 dancers, representing all 50 states.
“We are now experiencing the freedoms that Americans gave their lives to protect," Rowan said. "We will be honoring all who have and are serving our country, and those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice."
OCU's Broadway Review show takes the stage at 8 p.m. March 8 and 9 and 2 and 8 p.m. March 10. For tickets, visit okcu.edu/tickets or call 405-208-5227.
