Dianne Bolton was overwhelmed and overjoyed after a rousing standing ovation for “Musikmania” Tuesday at Savannah Center.
Bolton, co-director of the Music in Motion, worked on the project for nearly six months. On opening night, the concept of telling the history of music through dance—became reality.
And for Bolton, it was more conception than concept.
“It’s like having a baby,” she said, after coming off the stage to loud cheers and hearty applause. “All the work, all the suffering and all the pain was worth it. The audience was so appreciative; the show just flowed.”
“Musikmania,” with over 50 performers, offered a glittering array of costumes, choreography, video and music. Also, there was emotional power to this highly original, creative and provocative production. Proceeds will benefit Villagers for Hospice, and the Alzheimer’s Association.
The goal of “Musikmania” was to show the history of music, from the drums of early man in Africa to the pounding beats of hip-hop and rap. Dance became the vehicle to complete that task.
The cast included six singers – David Vece, Sharon Archer, Donna Francis, Jeri Lynne Fraser, Holly Jeske and David Leshay –and a narrator, played by Vanita Turner.
The show started in Africa and then went into classical compositions. Next came the era of the 1930s and ‘40s. It included David Leshay singing “Chattanooga Choo Choo” followed by some tap on “Bye Bye Blackbird” and frenetic jitterbugging to Jeri Lynne Fraser’s lively vocal on “Sing Sing Sing.”
Then came an unexpected, jolting dose of man’s inhumanity to man.
“Schindler’s List” featured nine dancers using contemporary, ballet-like moves to show the consequences of hatred.
The dancers: Elaine Andrews, Diane Arduin, Patti Card, Jacqie Davie, Lynne Greenberger, Cheryl Hardeman, Holly Jeske, Glenda Wolff and Vanita Turner.
Another majestic moment came with Holly Jeske singing the operatic “Time to Say Goodbye.” The number used ballet-like movements and candles that created a soft atmosphere.
The dancers: Melissa Caisse, Lee Beery, Jill Brewer, Barbara Byers, Paige Fleming, Greenberger, Jeanne Krebs, Cyndy Shackles and Kathleen Williams.
But this show was also fun and it rocked.
David Vece turned into a sequined Elvis on a rollicking “Blue Suede Shoes.” The dancers included Sue Burton, Nancy Dickson, Cathye Leshay, Vicky Magee, Jean Riordan and Roxana Worth.
David Leshay brought back more ‘50s’ nostalgia with “Greased Lightning” helped by a bevy of Pink Ladies that included Bouffard, Magee and Carol Putrelo.
Vece flashed some blue-eyed soul on Prince’s “Baby I’m A Star.”
Beatlemania came to life as the dancers romped in front of a big screen showing the Beatles singing “All My Loving” on the “Ed Sullivan Show.” John, Paul, George and Ringo were joined by dancers that included Jim Flynn, Cheryl Hardeman, Teresa Kayler, Sue Prince and Terry Vece.
Madonna struck a pose for women on “Vogue.” The dancers included Bouffard, Kristin Miller, Sally Spieth, Brewer, Fleming and Krebs.
Donna Francis was masked and mysterious singing Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face.”
The dancers –including Bouffard, Magee, Lori Bellitt and Lisa Gallo — showed some slick Latin moves on “Livin’ La Vida Loca.” Country music was also part of the show and Donna Francis brought Patsy Cline to life singing “Crazy” but the beat picked up when Vece turned into a rhinestone cowboy and sang “Baby Likes to Rock It” Sharon Archer gave her all to a Barbra Streisand tribute.
The show closed with a tribute to “rhythm” as the entire cast took the stage. Jim Caisse tapped with his daughter Melissa (who like her Dad lives in The Villages) and granddaughter Kayla Luoma. Both women acted as choreographers.
Luoma, who was trained as a gymnast, thrilled the audience with a series of backflips across the stage. “I gave up gymnastics for dancing,” she said.
“Tonight was so special,” Melissa Caisse said. “We wanted to show how music can take you to a special time and place in your life.
“For me, the best part is dancing with my Dad. It’s a blast to be out there with him and it makes everything more meaningful.”
Karen Bouffard and Barbara Byers also helped with choreography, along with Jim Caisse.
“This was a team effort, everyone pulled together,” Jim Caisse said. When asked how it felt to finally put it all on stage, he replied: “Oh God, it’s great. I can’t think of any words right now.”
On this night, music and dance would suffice.
