BWW Reviews: BURN THE FLOOR at the Paramount

Seattle's Paramount Theatre is currently presenting the national tour of the hot, steamy and sexy dance show, "Burn the Floor" and if you're a fan of dance, or just of really pretty people, you're bound to have a good time.

There's really not much to explain about the show.  It's a dance review.  No real story here, just 20 hot dancers doing what they do best, showing off various dance styles.  Everything from the Cha Cha, to the Waltz to Swing is represented here, and from many different eras.  And all presented by some of the most incredible dancers around.  But then, of course they're incredible as many of them boast among their credits as being finalists on TV's "So You Think You Can Dance".  In fact so many of them that it's practically SYTYCD - The Stage Show.  For fans of the show, the "Burn the Floor" boasts Anya Garnis, Pasha Kovalev, Ashleigh & Ryan Di Lello, Robbie Kmetoni, Janette Manrara and Karen Hauer.  Plus on opening night there was even a former judge from the show, Mary Murphy, in the audience. 

Now I have to admit, all these names mean nothing to me.  I have never been a fan of the TV series nor have I even watched it.  Thankfully I brought a friend along with me who is a fan who was able to let me in on all the ins and outs of who's married to whom and who was on which season and even that the former judge was in the audience.  Otherwise I would have had a heck of a time trying to tell you some of the high points of the show.

High points like the Di Lellos who turned in a beautiful solo bit during the dance to "After All".  Or the exceedingly touching solo for Anya Garnis and Pasha Kovalev to the number "Burn For You".  But beyond the SYTYCD dancers, we must not belittle the rest of this ensemble of dancers.  There was Sasha Farber who had the audience in stitches with his highly comical antics while trying to get to dance with the pretty girls.  Or Sarah Hives and Gary Wright with their flips that left the audience gasping.  We were all waiting for her head to hit the floor as he repeatedly whipped her around.  But they executed it with the seeming ease of walking through a doorway.  And if the individual moments weren't enough, the dancers all really wowed the audience when they came together for the big group numbers like "Proud Mary" or "It Don't Mean a Thing".  Add to the amazing dancers the superb singing of Peter Saul and Rebecca Tapia or the marvelous percussion of Joseph Malone and Henry Soriano keeping the energy going and it turns into one outrageous evening.

The only criticism I had was the lack of theatricality to the dances.  If shows like "Movin' Out" or "Swing" or "Contact" have shown us anything, it's that dance can tell a story just as well as music or words.  But many of the dances, while technically superb lacked much if any kind of story.  This was more so in Act One than Act Two, but it did effect my personal enjoyment.  Plus it felt that maybe they've been doing this show a little too long as a lot of it seemed a little over rehearsed.  I prefer my Floor with a little more Burn to it, if you know what I mean.

But all in all a fantastic evening with something for everyone.  If you're a fan of SYTYCD then you will be positively giddy with seeing your favorites live on stage.  If not, and you're just a fan of dance, then you have some astounding dancers knocking themselves out for two hours.  And if you're not a fan of dance and you were dragged to this by someone who is a fan, well, then you can just sit back and watch some REALLY pretty people in REALLY skimpy outfits.  In any case, enjoy!

"Burn the Floor" plays at Seattle's Paramount Theatre through September 19^th.  For tickets or information visit them online at www.tickets.com, www.stgpresents.org or www.BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com or call 877-STG-4TIX (877-784-4849).

Photo Credits: Baytan Erkman and Joan Marcus

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