GREAT DANCERS IN
OCU'S HOME FOR THE
HOLIDAYS

By Nancy Condit

The women and the men of the American Spirit Dancers gave a
very good performance at Thursday night's show of Home for the Holidays
at Oklahoma City University. Whether it's the public's growing appreciation of
dance, director of the dance program Jo Rowan's national recruiting, or both,
the stage was filled with men and women performing Busby Berkeley style
formations, great tap dance numbers, and the "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers,"
choreography by Paige Porter and staged by Kari Shaw, followed by the
"March of the Toy Soldiers," choreographed by Diana Brooks, after the 1930's
 movie dance in "Babes in Toyland."

While "Baby Please Come Home" introduced six men leaping -- as suits the
season -- in black suits and brilliant turtlenecks -- under falling snow, choreographed
by Brian J. Marcum, one of the women's show-stoppers was "Here Comes Santa Claus/
Santa Claus Is Coming to Town," with two troops of women -- one in short white fur trimmed
capes, skirts and Santa hats, choreographed by Kelli Stevens, the other in red costumes,
forming kicklines, four- spoked rotating wheels, and upper bodies forming patterns similar
to those in Busby Berkeley movies, choreographed by Jo Rowan.

"Deck the Halls/Up On the Rooftop" had the women tapping in short green tunics,
choreographed by Diana Brooks, while "Man with the Bag" had three women in '50's
style green and red tops and full skirts with contrasting red and green crinolines,
adding attitude and Gwen Verden style sensuousness, choreographed by Marcum.

"Lollipop" -- to the '50's classic had dancers tapping to a version of the song delivered
like the beat of a metronome, choreographed by Patricia Oplotnik.  Great.

Remaining performances are at 8 pm December 7th and 8th, with matinees at 2 pm
on December 8th and 9th. For tickets or additional information about these performances,
call the Oklahoma City University Ticket Office at (405) 208-5227 or visit www.okcu.edu/ticketoffice.