“A Jazzin’ Christmas”
To an audience who already knew that Sureka Buell can create magic on stage, the show on Thursday 20th came as a pleasant surprise that proved she and her students can do more than just leaving you spellbound – having your feet tapping and fingers snapping comes naturally to them. That being said, ‘engaging’ is her annual show, “A Jazzin’ Christmas” in a capsule.
Thursday 20th and Friday 21st witnessed brimming audiences at the Lionel Wendt theatre where the students of Sureka’s school DANCEWORLD took to the stage with the spell of precision and finesse. The school of nearly hundred spans across the ages of 5 to 19.
The show was divided into two parts. First half was the production of the classic Christmas favourite ‘The Nutcracker’ reworked to Tchaikovsky’s musical score which has been re-orchestrated in the styles of jazz, ballet and lyrical to accompany the contemporary and innovative choreography. With Deshana de Alwis also assistant choreographer, in the lead role Clara, a true to form yet sophisticated narrative was staged. The task might have been tedious, but Sureka’s determination in casting in every student, no matter the age had paid off well in the form of a diverse and fitting cast for the performance. The ‘Toyland’ number, a personal favourite also proved to be a stunner performance.
As a classical gala gave way to a modern take on well loved Christmas hits after the break, it must be said that the audience had little expected to prepare for the icing on the cake : Jazz, funk, street style and more redefined songs like Jingle Bell Rock, Feliz Navidad, Sleigh Ride and so on. While a stellar performance of ‘O Holy Night’ left the crowds enthralled, a sleek, chic and sassy choreography for ‘Santa Baby’ earned the applause and cheers of all of the audience, the younger male population in particular!
When Sureka joined her students for the soothing melody of ‘Silent Night’ and one just begins to think this can’t get any better, an overwhelming live performance of Mariah Carey’s ‘All I want for Christmas’ caught us off guard for the lively and upbeat curtain call. I was seated nowhere around there, but I highly suspect that a good deal of dancing went on in the rear of the balcony, that’s how much everyone got involved as we drew near the end of the show. The rhythm made it impossible not to move along and capture the excitement and sheer rush of adrenaline that the dancers were feeling on stage.
The song selection, even the specific versions chosen came as a great facility to the wholistic effect of the show. Furthermore, the vivid and apt costumes were another treat to sight. At the show’s conclusion one thing was evident: precision is imperative to Sureka, and she has perfected the moves of her students on stage to make the show a success. This is her first time with a Christmas theme, but she has indeed set new standards for a seasonal dance fest.
Text by Nivedha Jeyaseelan
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