BWW Reviews: BURN THE FLOOR Dances into Providence with Pure Energy, Lots of Pizzazz

Burn the Floor brings controlled power, easy elegance and plenty of style to the Providence Performing Arts Center.

From the first moments of the show, this touring company (credited with over 100 international championship dance titles to date) boasts an infectious energy that translates from the stage right down into the audience. Occasionally, even the staging can’t contain the show’s momentum, and the dancing spills over into the aisles of the theater. The Burn the Floor dancers perform practically non-stop, only leaving the spotlight for brief costume changes and during transitions from one set to the next.

The first act features two main divisions, “Inspirations” and “Things that Swing.” The dancers infuse every number with tons of personality, spot-on technique and obvious enthusiasm for their performance. The “History Repeating” segment is especially engaging, showcasing several dance styles popular during the twentieth century. From an elegant waltz to a light-hearted jive and energetic swing routine, the dancers capture the feel and flavor of each decade of music and movement. Burn the Floor’s costumes are beautifully crafted to enhance the dancers’ grace and flow across the stage, bright colors and sequins providing a kaleidoscopic effect during the numbers.

The show’s second act, however, proved something of a letdown. Though the dancers’ professionalism, skillfulness and zeal never failed, the numbers weren’t as varied and began to feel monotonous. The choreography and costumes became progressively more sensual as the final “CODA” section transitioned from dance exhibition to a party/club-like atmosphere. Still, a traditional waltz featured near the end of the show created an impressive and lovely visual, two couples exactly mirroring their movements and performing with an effortless sophistication.

Burn the Floor plays the Providence Performing Arts Center through Sunday, May 6, 2012 (see website for show times). Tickets are available online at www.ppacri.org, by phone (401) 421-ARTS (2787), or at the PPAC the box office, 220 Weybosset Street, Providence, RI. Ticket prices range from $36-$63 and discounted rates are available for groups of 20 or more.

Photo courtesy of Providence Performing Arts Center.

Veronica Bruscini is an avid theatergoer with a passion for the written word. She occasionally steps behind the curtain as a puppeteer and stage manager, and she has worked as the assistant director for three productions sponsored by the Holocaust through the Arts educational initiative. Psalm 111:10.

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