‘Triller’ brings variety to Halloween season
Halloween classics are being depicted in a new and interesting way this year at Salt Lake’s Kingsbury Hall.
“Thriller” presented by Odyssey Dance Theatre, opens Oct. 24 and will run through Oct. 31, and is described as a Halloween variety show of sorts by the shows artistic director Derryl Yeager.
“The show is made up of numerous vignettes that are all based on Halloween themes. It is mostly dance oriented, but there are a few singing numbers also. Basically a variety show,” Yeager said.
“Thriller” portrays Halloween stories through Ballet, Jazz, Funk/Hip-Hop, Tap and Ballroom dancing making the show appealing to most everyone according to the show’s program.
“Odyssey’s production of ‘Thriller’ was truly a thrill for the audience, which as at times was breathless with laughter, at times fearful and amazed but always totally entertaining. The pieces were excitingly choreographed and energetically performed,” Margaret Godfrey said in an article in The Salt Lake Tribune.
Aside from different types of dancing being used, many emotions are also played on humor being one of the most common. Frankenstein and his bride fall in love to Debussy’s Peer Gnyt while the Hunchback of Notre Dame dances to Frank Sinatra’s Strangers in the Night. Modern day horror stars Chucky and Jason also have parts in the show as do the historical Salem witches and The Mummy. The tap-dancing skeletons and the mock Riverdance River Blood Dance are also audience favorites.
This is the show’s fifth year in production and has been recently improved with new numbers, Yeager said. Yeager is also very proud of the creative show’s success.
“We wanted to create a production that would become our own ‘Nutcracker’ and we have succeeded. It has become a very popular show with tons of humor, some great scares and an entertaining evening for all,” Yeager said.
The credits of those in charge of the show are just as impressive as the show itself.
Yeager graduated from the University of Utah and went on to perform Broadway shows including A Chorus Line and Cats. Yeager has also appeared in movies such as Staying Alive, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, and television spots on Moonlighting and The Young and The Restless. Yeager has choreographed a number of productions in Utah and is currently a partner in the Center Stage Performing Arts Studio in Orem.
Associate director Bonnie Story also attended the University of Utah and then attended the Julliard School of Ballet in New York City.
Story has also been involved in film and television including national commercials for MasterCard and Pepsi. Story has worked on music videos with artists such as Michael Jackson and Paula Abdul.
Show time is at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 24 to 30 and at 8:30 p.m. on Halloween. A matinee showing is at 2 p.m. on Oct. 27. Tickets are available by calling (801) 581-7100 or 1-888-451-ARTS and range from $20 to $35.