Review: Burn The Floor's BE BRAVE TOGETHER at Cool Japan Park Osaka WW Hall

I finally had my very first "Burn the Floor" experience at Cool Japan Park Osaka WW Hall on June 21st during their Japan tour, "Be Brave Together”. Once the show started, the entire crowd was filled with cheers and applause, as if showing off the complete end of the COVID-19 pandemic. The performers' passionate and powerful dance, combined with the unity of the audience, created an illusion that we were not in Japan.

From their fingertips to their toes,  their emotions oozed out, and their dance conveyed their inner feelings. It was almost like watching a drama but with no lines. Meanwhile the second song, "Bohemian Rhapsody" was overwhelming compare to the very energetic opening number.

I found myself empathizing with the sorrowful expressions pouring out from their performance and even shedding tears. In "Smooth Criminal", I was crushed by their intensity and power, and unknowingly tensed up while watching. Affecting "Hallelujah" brought me in tears again. It was a non-stop emotional rollercoaster ride. The dancers' expressions, using their entire bodies to express emotions, were outstanding. I could fully grasp the story although not understanding lyrics of the songs song by different languages or when not paying attention to the lyrics. The exquisite lighting techniques further enhanced their emotions even better.

Before watching the show, I thought "Burn the Floor" was all about dance. Well, it is not. The singers' vocal abilities blow my mind. There were some singers’ performances parts with no dancers, and their skills were awe-inspiring. I doubt myself as if I were attending some celebrity’s live concert. The energetic singing by special guest singer Takanori Nishikawa was also remarkable. He elevated the energy of the audiences with his singing talent that was on par with the selected singers from around the world. His ability to engage the crowd was exceptional. Even the English-language songs throughout the performance, sung flawlessly alongside foreign singers, felt natural. Nishikawa's presence perfectly matched "Burn the Floor," and it showcased this company's casting prowess.

It was my first time witnessing such an emotional and passionate dance performance. I was amazed by how emotions could be expressed and how a clear narrative could be conveyed through dancing, and how they could captivate the audience not only by dancing but also singing. The performance by "Burn the Floor" was a full of surprises. The setlist consisted of songs loved across generations, living up with their fans of various age groups. Within their meticulous choreography, I could easily understand the such high-level skill sets are required to avoid collisions. With a few inches of misalignment could crash entire stage. It was not hard to imagine the extensive practice was acquired. The countless choreographies they conceived and ingrained in their bodies, as well as their grand performances, exuded effort and passion. No wonder they have so many huge fans.

Photo Credit: [BURN THE FLOOR]

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