‘Shut Up and Dance’ is an Incredible Odyssey

Some 13 years ago, a man … a 25-year veteran of just about every art form from film and television to choreography and Broadway theater … realized an untapped niche in Utah. When this man moved back to the state he discovered a ?a huge pool of talent? that was unfortunately being unnecessarily suppressed. ?If you spend your life to become an artist, you should create it every once and awhile,? said Derryl Yeager, founder and Artistic Director of Odyssey Dance Theatre.

And so there it began as the once-named Utah Contemporary Dance Theatre, a place where this stagnant pool of talent could move in unimaginable ways. Yeager formed a phenomenal company of 24 dancers with highly technical proficiency in many styles of dance including ballet, modern, hip-hop, jazz, tap and ballroom ? an extraordinary opportunity to create experimental and cutting edge dance.

Though, according to Yeager, it had started out as a difficult journey. This unprecedented genre of dance was snubbed by the local arts community. Even today Odyssey Dance Theatre receives only a small amount of funding. Yeager said his annual grant doesn?t even cover paper costs. Fortunately audience appeal has helped keep the dance going as Yeager also claimed that currently 70 percent of the budget comes from ticket sales.

Beyond the local success of Odyssey (including Best of State awards two years running), the company had a successful New York debut last year. They are also gearing up for their fourth annual European tour this April.

The success of Odyssey could very well be attributed to Yeager?s ingenuity, the versatile dancers and unique performances, but behind the scenes is really where the success begins. Yeager connects with the dancers ? honestly befriends and respects each of them. In fact some of his dancers have stuck by him for 10 years now, which, according to Yeager, is not normally the case in the profession.

There is, however, some compromise to creating Odyssey performances. The dancers start rehearsals quite early in the day, which is also not normally the case. And sometimes difficult decisions must be made that are disappointing for some. Yeager?s insight into a huge pool of talent in Utah had recently been nationally noticed as four of his male dancers were chosen to compete in the third season of the television hit So You Think You Can Dance?. Unfortunately, and through much difficulty, Yeager could only give up two: Christian Denice and Matt Dorame. Look for these two in April as they try to prove to the nation they can dance.

Even with seven hour daily rehearsals beginning early morning (five days a week, seven to eight weeks prior to each production), the excitement, the love of the art is apparent in the eyes, smiles and minds of the dancers. In one such rehearsal, the energy is high and the camaraderie is playful as the dancers surge through the last hour of the day rehearsing a fast-paced Salsa number.

This same Salsa piece, choreographed by Alex Catreras, is one of several premiere numbers on stage during this season?s repertory smash-hit Shut Up & Dance. This year?s programs are: The return of ?Let It Be?, the extremely popular Beatles anthology; the return of ?Moulin Rouge!?, full of color, humor and sassiness; and ?Club Calloway?, which will include a 20-piece band on the stage, zuit suits, feather boas and tappers. Calloway has replaced Yeager?s original selection of ?West Side Story.? ?I had only one gang, and the girls are too pretty ? I couldn?t make them guys,? Yeager joked about its dissolution.

Also on the roster are four world premiere numbers by Dee Caspary, Trey Barber, and Odyssey members Eldon Johnson, Christian Denice, Bonnie Story and Tiffany Carpenter.

Yeager?s unique market for dance doesn?t stop here; he also takes a vested interest in grooming diverse talent in new, young dancers. Dance Utah! and Odyssey II are two educational programs under the Odyssey umbrella. Dance Utah! is an annual summer intensive, where 30-40 children are selected for all dance genre classes. Odyssey II is a scholarship program run by 2006 emmy award-winner Bonnie Storey (for High School Musical), and includes an annual May production. Derryl Yeager and Odyssey Dance Theatre, through early financial hardship, persistence and ingenuity has become a renowned ?jazz ballet company.?

?We try to make a connection with each audience, create a hook for each show,? said Yeager.

Apparently Odyssey really does take audiences on an ?eventful journey.? Q

Odyssey Dance Theatre?s Shut Up & Dance runs May 19-29 at Kingsbury Hall, 1395 E. Presidents Circle, UofU. Tickets $15?35, call 581-7100 or visit kingtix.com.