If reincarnation exists, I want to come back in my next life as a Latin, ballroom dancer.
Tonight, thanks to a great ticket deal from Goldstar, I went with two friends to see "Burn the Floor" at the Colonial Theater on Boylston Street in downtown Boston. The show bills itself as "Ballroom, Reinvented." The two act performance showcases the five signature ballroom dance styles: the waltz, the foxtrot, the Viennese waltz, the tango, and the Charleston, as well as five Latin ballroom dance styles: the cha cha, the samba, the rumba, the paso doble and the jive.
The dancing was absolutely phenomenal! I knew of the show because it stars two of my favorite contestants from "So You Think You Can Dance," Pasha Kovalev and Anya Garnis!
This cast also includes SYTYCD alums Janette Manrara and Karen Hauer, and is directed and choreographed by SYTYCD regular, Jason Gilkison! My favorite dancer tonight however was someone totally new - Giselle Peacock. I couldn't take my eyes off of her. She was incredible!
One of the most impressive aspects of the dancing tonight was the way the dancers were in complete synchronization with the beat of the music. To our very pleasant surprise, the drummer and percussionist were on stage with the dancers!
In addition to the live beats, the show also featured two incredible singers, Peter Saul and Vonzell Solomon. You could not take your eyes off of Vonzell. She was like Jennifer Hudson meets Whitney Houston meets Beyonce, all in one glittery, figure-hugging dress after another. Damn!
I had so many favorite numbers it would be impossible to list them all, but my supreme favorite was the finale, which started with "Proud Mary" (and an amazing on-stage costume change!) and segwayed into "Turn the Beat Around." Every single person in the audience got on their feet and was singing, dancing and clapping along. As we walked out of the theater everyone was still singing along to "Turn the Beat Around." On the way to my car, I was walking behind a family that was singing it for two blocks!
If you are a fan of SYTYCD or just enjoy dance, you must see "Burn the Floor." In fact, even if you aren't a dance enthusiast, this cast will convert you.
