Provo, UT

As a former competitive ballroom dancer, I love watching shows like “Dancing with the Stars”. But until recently, I had no idea that there were stars dancing in my own backyard.The 160-member BYU Ballroom Dance Company is the largest collegiate dance program in the world. Artistic directors Lee and Linda Wakefield are former U.S. Theater Arts Champions, and it shows! The BYU Ballroom Dance Company has been undefeated in the U.S. National Formation Dance Championships since 1982. They have also placed first every time they have competed at the British Open Ballroom Dance Competition in Blackpool, England (and were the first Americans to do so). For those who don’t know, Blackpool is THE most prestigious ballroom competition.

The BYU Ballroom Dance Company spends a significant amount of time touring internationally–they are currently in China, and scheduled to perform at the Olympic Festival in June–so I was undeniably lucky to catch a performance of “Capture the Magic” in Kaysville, UT in February 2008.

The reason I wanted to see the BYU ballroom dancers was because I happened to catch a clip of them on PBS and I’d never seen a rhumba danced quite that way. There was something haunting about that particular number that captured my attention, so I looked them up online and was amazed to discover they were internationally renowned. I was so impressed with what I read–plus, I couldn’t get that rhumba, performed to Melanie C’s “If That Were Me”, out of my head–and I knew that I HAD to see them perform live.

I was completely captivated for the entire 90-minute performance. From the elegant Viennese waltz to the dramatic Pirates of the Caribbean number, the BYU ballroom dancers kept the audience engaged and entertained. There were breathtaking lifts, comedic interludes, stunning costumes–I thoroughly enjoyed this fresh and creative spin on ballroom dance.

The tone was set by a lively opening number, “Gotta Dance!” Next came a fox trot, and then a fun West Coast swing, followed by a lyrical theater arts piece. Next was the waltz, Lindy hop, and samba, followed by a hilarious tango (a dance not usually known for being funny, and a true testament to the creativity of the artistic directors).

Finally it was time for my favorite number, the rhumba that had so captivated me on TV. It was one of the most moving performances I’d ever seen in my life. (And I’ve seen quite a few!)

A few more fun numbers to theme songs from Pirates of the Caribbean and Footloose, and then we were treated to the formation dances BYU performs in competitions. I could see why they are winners.

The performances were pure and beautiful. “Capture the Magic” is a Broadway-style show, appropriate for the entire family. No sexy sambas here!

The BYU Ballroom Dance Company won’t be performing again in Utah until January 2009, but you can watch “Capture the Magic” on BYU Television May 23, 2008 at 4 p.m. Don’t miss it!

For more information about the company or for the performance schedule: http://pam.byu.edu/similarpage.asp?title=Ballroom%20Dance%20Company

Photos reprinted with permission.