Holiday magic comes alive

Twelve soldiers emerge from the depth of a life-sized present and begin to dance in unison about the stage. The red sequins of their hats and the metallic sounds of the taps hitting the floor keep the time of the music as the audience struggles to take in every element of the scene. \nThe Indiana Dance Theater performed "Holiday Magic: A dance concert from the whole family" Saturday at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. \nThe curtains rose to show a woman in flowing blue and white fabric representing the Virgin Mary. Accompanied by seven angels dressed in white wedding dresses, she danced to the music of Amy Grant. All focus was on the dancers as the scenery included only a large star. \n"We have to do a lot ourselves because it saves us financially," said Cassey Connelly, assistant director of the Indiana Dance Theater. \nThe first act had very religious undertones including hymns such as "Silent Night." The solemn and slow movements of the dancers fit with the music; yet, by the middle of the act, some of the children in the audience were beginning to get restless. \nThough some became fidgety, the children were rewarded for their patience by an upbeat and fast-paced second act. In a total reversal of tone, the dancers arrived onstage to classic Christmas tunes. Dressed in sparkly suspenders, three company members played naughty children opening presents before Christmas. Three over-sized presents lined the back of the stage holding secrets that were revealed one by one to the audience. \nThe first present held three human-sized dolls in polka dot dresses coming alive as the song "Santa Baby" began to play overhead. A traditionally dressed ballerina danced out of the second present on point. Toy soldiers emerged from the last present dressed in all red. \n"It's fun and something to look forward to," Taylor McAfee, one of the toy soldiers said.\n"We took the things about it that didn't work and added in new ideas," Connelly said.\nOne of the audience favorites was "'Nuttin' for Christmas," a jazz number about little children who did not follow the rules and become disappointed on Christmas. The facial expressions and acting out of the many antics illustrated by the song made it come alive for the audience. \n"My favorite part is the finale. Everyone is on stage and it's just a nice ending," IU student and dancer Lori Narciso said. \nThe Indiana Dance Theater has been performing a holiday show at the Buskirk-Chumley for the last four years. Every year, the company holds auditions for new dancers. Connelly was very impressed with the turnout this year, she said.\nConnelly said each year the performance is a little different. She feels the addition of IU students to the company has given a more energetic feel to the show. \n"When the college students came in, I think it really raised the energy level and the intensity," Connelly said. \nThe Indiana Dance Theater is a local nonprofit dance group that performs three times a year. Both students and mature dancers make up the all-female company of 14 members. Rehearsals are held three times a week and the dancers are paid from the profits made at performances. \n"It's a heck of a commitment, but it's worth it," Connelly said.