Odyssey Dance Theatre (ODT) will be celebrating its 25th Anniversary this Spring – by presenting 3 different performances, highlighting some of the great works created by Odyssey over the years. This popular Shut Up & Dance series—with three separate programs in repertory, is where the dancers have stretched their artistic muscle and created new, exciting works. This year’s 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, 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!”
PROGRAM ONE OF THREE: Chicago Nights – February 27, March 1, 7, 9 – 7:30 pm
The return of last year’s world-premiere full-length hit, directed and produced by Founder and Artistic Director Derryl Yeager, tells the story of Chicago in the 1920’s, when the specter of Prohibition gave rise to Speakeasys, Jazz and Gangsters. Men and women who brought corruption, racketeering, vice and murder to the headlines of the day. Al Capone meets Roxie Hart. And it all leads up to the most infamous mobster event of all – The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. Odyssey puts its unique stamp on these amazing stories from 1920’s Chicago!
PROGRAM TWO OF THREE: Romeo+Juliet – February 28, March 2 – 7:30 pm, March 6, 8
One of Odyssey’s favorite full-length pieces of all time! See what the Deseret News said was, “…to die for!” Based on the Shakespearean tale about star-crossed lovers, but in the Odyssey tradition: a hip-hop/latin/contemporary dance version! Choreographed by former 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. And the audience will get to choose their own ending – whether they live or die.
PROGRAM THREE OF THREE: Reflections – 25 Years of Odyssey Dance – March 2 & 9 – 2:00 pm, March 5 – 7:30 pm
A collection of past pieces from the early years of Odyssey Dance Theatre, which will include amazing works by Mia Michaels, Christian Denice, Eldon Johnson, Janalyn Memmott and Derryl Yeager and will close with the Bee Gee’s favorite – Dance Fever! “The hardest thing for me was choosing what to put in the program – with 25 years under our belt there was soooo much great stuff to choose from! Ultimately, I decided to present pieces that were pivotal artistic achievements for the Company – and a chance for me to walk down memory lane,” said Founder and Artistic Director Derryl Yeager.
