It’s A Wonderful Life – ON TV!

Odyssey Dance Theatre is proud to announce the film version of the Company’s It’s A Wonderful Life stage production will be broadcast locally here in Utah on December 21st and 23rd in primetime from 8-9:30 pm on KMYU TV (Channel 12).

Odyssey Founder and Artistic Director Derryl Yeager said, ”This version of the show was filmed during the height of the Covid 19 pandemic when all theaters were closed to live audience participation. Under strict COVID guidelines, we were able to film this timeless dance performance version based on the classic Jimmy Stewart holiday movie.”

He added, “As a big thank you to all who have supported Odyssey Dance Theatre over the years, we hope you will take the time to see this “Wonderful” production.
Set your DVR’s and grab some popcorn – live on TV December 21st and 23rd from 8 to 9:30 pm – Channel 12. Merry Christmas!”

Conceived, Directed and Choreographed by Derryl, the creator of Thriller, It’s A Wonderful Life is based on the classic holiday film. Driven by circumstance to the point of no return, George Bailey gets the chance to see the world as it would have been without him, and he realizes his ordinary life is really extraordinary.

“This story has been one of my favorite movies of all time, and it was such a joy to be able to re-imagine it through dance. It has the look of a Broadway show, but the story is told through dance and the use of voice-overs very much like the film,” says Derryl. “An amazing team of artists collaborated on the production, including Sam Cardon, who wrote a moving, original score; Doug Ellis, whose fabulous scenic designs were expertly crafted by Lynn Clark at Scenic Service Specialists; costumes by Cheryl Yeager; and, of course, the phenomenal dancers of Odyssey Dance Theatre.”

Derryl collaborated with the Emmy-winning composer to create a full-length dance production. Sam recorded his sweeping score with a 99-piece orchestra in Prague, and Derryl created a truly delightful production – telling the story of George Bailey through numerous styles of dance, Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Ballroom and even, when George sees the world as it would have been without him, Hip-Hop! The production captures the charm and sentiment of the movie but updates it (making it relevant as only Odyssey can) and shares this timeless American story in a unique and entertaining way.

The reviews in Salt Lake City were glowing: “Broadway Worthy!” – Salt Lake Tribune “A Perfect Gift!” – Deseret News

In these trying times, the world needs the universal message of hope and inspiration that is It’s A Wonderful Life!

Winner of Best of State in Dance for 17 years in a row; Best of State of all Arts and Entertainment 2007 and 2015; Best Choreographer 2009 Odyssey Founder and Artistic Director Derryl Yeager; Best Individual Dancer 2010 Former Odyssey Associate Artistic Director/Principal Dancer Eldon Johnson; Best Individual Dancer 2012 Odyssey Associate Artistic Director/Former Principal Dancer Veronica Yeager; Best Individual Dancer 2013 Former Odyssey Principal Dancer Dayna Marshall; Best Individual Dancer 2021 Odyssey Principal Dancer/Dance Captain Darby Jones; Best Individual Dancer 2022 Odyssey Principal Dancer Laura Brick; and Best Youth Dance Group 2011 and 2012 Odyssey 2, Odyssey Dance Theatre performs to critical acclaim and standing ovations at home and on tour, nationally and internationally, and is proud to represent Utah on the world’s stage, most notably coinciding with the Beijing Summer Olympics.

Odyssey Dance Theatre announces its Final Shut Up & Dance Season! The last one ever!

When:
March 2 to 12, 2022

Where:
Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center – Taylorsville

Time:
Evening Performances at 7:30 p.m. Saturday Matinees at 2:00 p.m.

Odyssey Dance Theatre (ODT) Founder and Artistic Director Derryl Yeager and his wife, Costume Designer and Costume Production Director Cheryl Yeager, have announced that this year’s Shut Up & Dance Spring Repertory Season will be Odyssey’s final spring offering, because they will be retiring and closing the doors to Odyssey Dance Theatre at the end of Thriller’s 26th Season this fall.

Odyssey will be celebrating by presenting 4 different programs in repertory. This final Shut Up & Dance will truly be one of the most amazing Odyssey Seasons ever, as they bring back some of Odyssey’s most popular and significant works from the last 28 years, and will certainly be a dance lover’s buffet, with something for everyone. Deseret News said, “Odyssey Dance Theatre’s Shut Up and Dance season only proves that it is a company to be taken seriously. Bravo!”

Shut Up & Dance is where the dancers and choreographers get to stretch their artistic muscle and really show off their abilities and different styles in smaller repertoire-style works. Derryl said, “We again stress accessibility but we are not afraid to explore more innovative choreographic styles of movement. The title says it all. Dance is an amazing form of expression that doesn’t require manuals and textbooks to understand. It communicates to all and across all boundaries.”

For all the details Shut Up & Dance offers this year, head to the Shut Up & Dance web page.

A SUAD sneak peak on ABC 4

You can also read the full story HERE!

Get your tickets before it’s too late!

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Thriller might be over, but your savings have just begun!
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LET’S GO! – It’s a Wonderful Life tickets

Derryl Yeager on air at iHeart Media

Derryl Yeager visited the iHeart Media studios as he promoted Odyssey Dance Theatre –  Winner of the Best of State in Dance award for 14 straight years, and the Premiere Dance company that’s brought you smash hits like Thriller, Romeo + Juliet and in February 2020, A Midsummer Night’s Dream… in VEGAS! A must see!

A little on the “Wild Side!?” You bet!!

Salt Lake Magazine says, “ODT’s Redux Nutcracker is a Dance on the Wild Side…”

“You all know the story of this ballet: It starts when Clara (Bailey Evans) is given a Nutcracker by Drosselmeyer (Diego Ballesteros).

Or you thought you did: Clara throws the nutcracker away and Drosselmeyer replaces it with a cell phone. Derryl Yeager conceived, directed and choreographed this quirky production. This is the seventh year the alternate show has been performed—to the delight of ODT regulars and new fans each year.”

Read the full story.

And if you missed it this year, make sure you put Odyssey’s ReduxNut-Cracker on your “Must attend” list for your 2020 Holiday events.