Ļć½¶Šć Universityās world-renowned American Spirit Dance Company will celebrate Christmas through tap, jazz, ballet and musical theater dance as the annual Home for the Holidays Christmas show returns to the Kirkpatrick Auditorium stage Dec. 8 to 11.
Nearly 125 dancers, under the direction of Ļć½¶Šć award-winning Dance Chair Jo Rowan, will perform longtime audience favorites and a wide array of new numbers.
The show opens with a high-energy office party celebration of the beginning of the holiday season followed by a humorous commentary on the remoteness of relationships caused by an overuse of electronic devices. It then moves to a tap celebration of Christmas in Hawaii before snow and ice skating cool things off.
Several dances tap into the longing for friends and relatives who are far away during the holiday season and the emotions caused by separation due to varying circumstances.
Ļć½¶Šć is known for many graduates and former students who have enjoyed careers as Rockettes. Many began their careers with the annual favorite āSanta Kickline.ā A new āJingle Bells Kicklineā has been added to this yearās show. Other annual favorites are āParade of the Wooden Soldiers,ā a precision tap number, and āMarch of the Toy Soldiers,ā a tour de force by male dancers.
The show concludes with a Nativity and a joyful celebration of the meaning of Christmas with well wishes for all.
āHome for the Holidays is a fast-moving, beautiful and entertaining show with something for everyone,ā Rowan said.
Home for the Holidays is recommended for ages 6 and up. Show times are 8 p.m. Dec. 8 and 9, 2 and 8 p.m. Dec. 10 and 2 p.m. Dec. 11. Tickets are $29 each and can be purchased by calling 405-208-5227 or visiting okcu.edu/tickets. Group rates offering substantial savings are available for churches, schools, independent living centers and similar organizations.
