‘Thriller’: the season’s unforgettable spectacle
The leaves are turning, the breeze is getting colder and pumpkin products have hit the shelves. Halloween is creeping closer. As you look to get in the mood with the season, consider indulging in a luxury of normalcy by safely returning to the theatre to allow dance, music and physical comedy to whisk away your senses to a fantastic, grotesque world. Experience Odyssey Dance Theatre’s “Thriller.”
The show opened its run at the Ellen Eccles Theatre on Logan’s Main Street on Monday, Oct. 5 with a bang (or rather, a scream). In a time like now, it’s a reminder of everything spectacular about live theatre — the tension, passion, storytelling and aesthetic.
While most shows focus on one story, one character or one type of dance, “Thriller” is a performance like no other.
A horror-comedy dance show exploring Hallow Eve’s classical roots as well as pop culture influence, it brings you face to face with the likes of Frankenstein, the Phantom of the Opera, Friday the 13th’s Jason, Egyptian mummies, Salem witches and much, much more. All your favorite spooky cliches come out to play with skeletons, scarecrows, zombies, cannibals and little girls whose innocent banter borders on psychopathic. It’s unique in the most organic, refreshing of ways.
The show’s 90-minute runtime is broken into a series of dance sequences as well as skits and digital clips, all of which will have you curled over laughing in your seat as much as shaking to the core. Across and within sequences, there is a blend of instrumental, electric and pop music as well as a mix of modern, hip-hop, tap, aerial dance and ballet. When the lights go black, there’s no telling what will leap at you next.
Rapidly changing scenery and diverse styles ensure there’s something for every audience member to enjoy, regardless of Halloween spirit level. To parents, be aware that flashing light sequences and gothic themes may upset young children.
The sets are limited, being mostly bare stage with a projected backdrop, leaving the lights, dancers, and music to fill the space. This may sound like a challenging task, but it’s quickly proven effortless.
The music and lighting are living, breathing entities in the show that evoke fear, pleasure and excitement. Numerous sequences utilize shadows, smoke and glow in the dark black lights to enhance the stories. Though these technical elements are praiseworthy, they quickly melt into the background against the Odyssey Dance Theatre dancers.
It’s true: a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. However, that analogy only works when there is a weak link. Each of the dance crew’s 24 dancers brings their unique talent, charisma and energy to create a formidable line-up that cannot be contained on stage. They’re as mystifying on their own as they are as a team, and there are instances to see and admire solo numbers, duet couplets and full crew arrangements. Their ability to snap in and out of formation at will is mindblowing. Between their energetic moves, exuding strength, impossible flexibility and occasional disregard for gravity, they deserve the highest applause.
Though it will be tempting, be sure not to keep fixated on one area of the stage for too long — you’ll miss the choreography’s intricacy and each dancer’s individual magnetism.
CDC approved, face masks are required throughout performances. Don’t worry about feeling silly, many of the dance numbers incorporate face masks into the costume. The importance of hand sanitizer to save humanity is even cleverly woven into a memorable skit. Also in line with CDC guidelines, theatres are not sold at full capacity seating.
“Thriller” will have a second show in Logan at the Eccles Theatre on Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets available online or at the box office.
Beyond Logan, the show will grace the stages of three more locations throughout the month. You can catch the show on Oct. 8 and 9 in Ogden at the Peery’s Egyptian theatre. Or, if you’re not yet in the Halloween mood, you can wait until it hits the Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre in Salt Lake City running from Oct. 20-24. Final performances will be held at the Tuacahn Amphitheatre in Ivins from Oct. 27-31.
Tickets range anywhere from $20-$60 depending on the venue, seating selection and performance. All shows are at 7:30 p.m., except for one Saturday matinee showing in Salt Lake City.
If you don’t feel comfortable coming to a live show, no need to panic! Odyssey Dance will be filming their performance and streaming it online starting Oct. 26 for a $40 fee.
Whether watching live or via streaming, you’re guaranteed to have a thriller night you won’t forget.
Dara Lusk was born and raised in northern Virginia outside of Washington, DC. She is majoring in English with an emphasis in Technical/Professional Writing and a minor in Anthropology. When not writing she loves reading and annotating classic literature.
@dara_marie_