BY AYAN CHATTERJEE

In print | March 3, 2005

Sick and tired of Shakespeare and Beckett? Relief is on the way for Swarthmore theatergoers. “Dance Dangerously”, an original musical written by Joe Raciti ‘05 and directed by Ethan Ucker ’07, is scheduled to be performed on LPAC’s main stage from March 24 – 27.

The musical promises to be light but clever entertainment. “I think that the show appeals on a simple level,” said Ucker. “People here have a tendency to be very detached and disdainful of theatrical productions. I hope that this can have an universal appeal.”

The plot of “Dance Dangerously” involves Bella (played by Tiffany Pao ‘06), a brilliant technical dancer who lacks creative flair; George (Evan Buxbaum ’06), the boy next door who is in love with her; and Jen (Lauren Ianuzzi ’07), the racy rival dancer who wants to distract Bella from her art. According to Ucker, because the plotline is “contrived and cliché,” there’s a lot of room for experimentation and defying the audience’s expectations. Raciti plays with a predictable plot by throwing in unpredictable scenes, like Bella and George’s encounter with a murderer, and quirky characters, like lemonade seller Russell Sparks.

Ianuzzi said she loves playing Jen, the coldhearted villain of the show. “Basically, she’s out to sabotage the efforts of Bella, our heroine, to win the state dance competition finals,” she said. “Jen’s all about scheming, scamming, and unadulterated sluttiness. Her solo song is completely drenched in sex!”

Playing opposite Ianuzzi is Pao as Bella, the girl everyone’s in love with. Pao, who has a background in operatic singing, has found this more rock- and blues-centered role challenging. Nevertheless, she relishes the opportunity: “I feel that there’s a lot more freedom, more room to try new things than in other stuff I’ve done,” she said.

During the play, the cast members will move around all parts of the theater, even singing in the aisles. Raciti explained, “I just know from my past experiences that this style of theater is very engaging and interesting. I am trying to remember that the show is going to be watched by an audience that wants to be entertained.”.

The production concept of “Dance Dangerously” promises to catch the eye. With a set in black, white and grey tones, Ucker plans on making an important artistic statement with color. Most costumes will be black and white, but the cast will sometimes dress in bright colors to emphasize certain scenes.

Students will also be delighted by the music, which isn’t just a Sondheim rip-off. Rock plays a big role, but thanks to orchestrator Mark Loria ‘08 the score reflects considerable jazz influence as well. “Certain parts require cheesy pop; others require classical sounding stuff … it is almost all in it somewhere,” Raciti said. His compositions draw on a wide variety of influences, from blues to the Beatles. Ianuzzi said of Raciti’s musical style, “I hear bits of Billy Joel in there, especially in the rock chord progressions, and Phish in the slightly irrelevant but hysterically funny lyrics.”

But the most innovative element in the show may be the puppet duo. Placed in the balcony, Miff and Jarvis will provide commentary throughout the show. Raciti made them himself and believes that their uncouth comments will be “pretty fun additions to a fun show.”

With a large ensemble cast and 40 students in the orchestra and production crew, directing has been a challenge for Ucker. “Often when I direct, we work as an ensemble, not part by part, but with this show it just can’t happen,” he said. “Dance Dangerously” has forced him to work backwards, he said. “I need the actor to delve into the part, but also see his role in the whole scheme.”

For Raciti, collaboration with the ensemble means sometimes changing his script. “Writing parts in for actors who seem to yearn for a specific role … rewriting music to fit a singer’s range … these are all things that are necessary and that also change the piece,” he said. He and Ianuzzi, who is also the show’s vocal director, worked with each actor, training them all by ear — no easy feat considering that the music involves a great deal of nuance and improvisation.

“Dance Dangerously” has two acts and an intermission, adding up to about two hours. So when you go see this show, leave your critical theory behind. As Raciti put it, “Just have fun.”

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