Bedazzled, Suited, and Ready-Frostburg’s Dance Company Catches Dance Fever

Combining the forces of theater and dance, Frostburg State University’s Dance Company put on a show that awed audience members with the classics. Inspired by the golden age of music, the dance crew was dressed in their finest attire and glided across the F.Perry Studio Theatre stage to several selections of the famed decade of smooth and coming-of-age music.

Titled “Meet Me At The Dance Floor,” the dance company fiercely rehearsed and prepared for the incredible performance set in the elegant 1950s. The audience of families, students and community members sat, jaw-dropped, at the themed-stage, designed to fit the image of the typical dance lounge of the era. In a two-night performance featuring Frostburg students, dancers were nothing but excited to flash their pearly-whites and perfected moves.

Having newcomers and returners in the performance, the synchronicity of the group was fantastic, never missing a beat and always ready for the next set. Returners such as Alex Stewart and Matthew Clark are even more mesmerizing on stage as they have been in past recitals, and newcomers such as Deion Dawodu and Katie Snyder executed an unbelievable premiere performance.

To commence the show, a couple walked onto the smooth dance floor and approached the bartender while another performer cranked up the jukebox with the first tune of the night, “Puttin On The Ritz” by Fred Astaire. Following the first set involving all dancers, Queen Latifah’s “The Lady Is A Tramp,” featured only female dancers, as well as in the following classic 50s decade songs “Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend,” “Dream A Little Dream of Me,” and “Fever.” Next, an all-male set of “Orange Colored Sky,” swung onto the stage, captivating all eyes. Following the males, Maddie Bohrer, senior student and returner in the company, hit the floor to the melody of “Fascinating Rhythm,” with her tap shoes for an amazing solo.

The performance would be incomplete without the most classic of classic songs, “What A Wonderful World,” by famed and fortuned Louis Armstrong and “Feeling Good” by Sammy Davis Jr. The dance company, paired on stage, slowed it down to the cool Armstrong tune, while Davis’ song featured a strong solo by dancer Zach Fraser.

Sleeves rolled-up and white gloves on, the dance company was nothing short of astounding. To make it even better, it was not only a single night of dance but a two-night event featuring the cool styling of choreographer Jamie McGreevy. McGreevy was in the lime-light for two solos throughout the entirety of the show.

Finishing the night with the final number, dancers lined up, light on their feet, while the theater was entranced with the beat of “Pennsylvania 6-5000” by Glen Miller and Orchestra. As each dancer twirled their way to toward the end of the line to bow after an hour of astounding dancing, they did not leave the audience unsatisfied. Walking off stage to a standing ovation, they were prepared for another glorious night in the 1950s.

Up next on the agenda, considering the holidays around the corner, “Coney Island Christmas.” Being a family-friendly show, it will be something not to miss.