(Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center; Orlando FL) In an explosive display of intricate and high-energy dance choreography, driving and rhythmic percussive backings, dazzling and mesmerizing lights, and extreme personality and charm, Derek Hough's 'Symphony of Sound' tour captivated a sold-out Walt Disney Theatre at Orlando's Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center.
Upon entering the theater showgoers were confronted with a massive sheer white curtain, which hid everything on the stage from the audience's view, piquing interest and extending everyone's intrigue. As the curtain gently waved from the random currents of wind that would occasionally find their way across the stage, a narrator's voice boomed over the speaker system reminding patrons to familiarize themselves with the venue's exits, that no flash photography was permitted this evening, and for everyone to have a good time.
With sounds of the musicians tuning their instruments in the orchestra pit, Derek Hough picked up a microphone and immediately began to address the crowd for the 1st time of the evening, stating that prior to dance, he had played the drums as he queued up the percussion accompaniments. Moments later, he began to really stir up the crowd as he instructed the audience to make as much noise as they could while he counted them in.
Up on that stage, Hough was accompanied by several very skillful dancers. But, one dancer in particular -- Hayler Erbert -- drew everyone's attention whenever she set foot on that stage this evening. Just four short months prior, Erbert (Mrs. Derek Hough) had suffered a traumatic brain injury. One of the main headlines leading up to the tour's start was the announcement that 29-year old Hayley was back in rotation and would be beside her fellow dancers, with her 1st show back being the 1st show of the tour in Melbourne FL the week prior, on April 14. Tonight, Hayley's beautiful presence was featured initially in 'Think' (Aretha Franklin cover). Yet, as if the show emanating from her flawless dancing could not get any better, the relatively new Mr. and Mrs. Hough who were just under 8 months of marriage at the time of this writing, adorned a beautiful long dress as husband-Hough held a microphone singing 'Can't Take My Eyes Off You' (Frankie Valli cover) making it feel as though we were all attending the wedding reception.
Shortly thereafter, Derek walked onto the stage with an unbuttoned dress shirt and the females in the audience began shrieking in excitement. Backed by a Latin beat, 'Twist and Shout' medleyed with 'La Bamba' nearly sent the audience into a frenzy as the dancers were upbeat, lively, and emoting unparalleled energy on tonight's stage.
A beautiful instrumental cover of Metallica's 'One', a shirtless performance by Derek, and a Cirque du Soleil-esque routine involving long red ribbons held by the dancers with the Houghs being highlighted in the middle... the audience's senses were skyrocketing into the atmosphere. The amazing musical arrangements, coupled with the astounding acoustics of the venue, and all of the colors and perfectly choreographed dance routines onstage, was causing a tolerable over-stimulation of sight and sound, and the crowd excitedly craved more.
Derek showcased his vocal prowess again by singing 'Johnny B. Goode' as he descended into the audience, walking amongst his adoring and screaming fans, while he waved at and charmed his way through the crowd. Eventually finding his way back to the stage, he arrived just in time to dazzle the crowd with a skillful guitar solo.
A few moments later he announced that it was 'volunteer time' when he pulled 5 persons up onto the stage from the crowd, took a running start from behind them, then jumped over the heads of all 5 standing individuals at once. Did it add much to the show? Not particularly in terms of the show itself, but when he called for volunteers, even those up in the rafters were raising their hands screaming 'me, me, me!!!' So in terms of drawing the audience in even closer into the show, it was a very good move on his part!
The show moves to a 20 minute intermission and has been full of excitement and adrenaline thus far. The 2nd set somehow managed to keep the same high-paced action as the 1st set, but there were some very special tributes to 'Singing in the Rain', some insightful mention of his grandparents / parents and their involvement with dance, and some very heartfelt homage paid to Dancing With The Stars judge, Len Goodman. The final number was a beautiful number with the dancers in all-white, moving to 'I'll Fix You.'
'Symphony' is simply defined as a harmonious arrangement, making the name of this tour (Symphony of Dance) the epitomic title for what was a beautifully orchestrated choreography of dance, sound, and light. If I had had my camera in the theatre this evening, every single shot would have been artistic perfection, filled with raw emotion that only these highly skilled dancers at the top of their game could have been capable of showcasing. For 2 hours I sat mesmerized by a wonderful and amazing show, and am so glad I was able to witness it. The chemistry between Derek and Hayley was almost fairytale-like in that it felt almost too brilliant to comprehend, and thankfully those 2 are talented enough that they were able to convey that magic between them up on that stage. Sincerely looking forward to whatever the Houghs bring back to central Florida next time around!
Bailey Guinigundo
Upon entering the theater showgoers were confronted with a massive sheer white curtain, which hid everything on the stage from the audience's view, piquing interest and extending everyone's intrigue. As the curtain gently waved from the random currents of wind that would occasionally find their way across the stage, a narrator's voice boomed over the speaker system reminding patrons to familiarize themselves with the venue's exits, that no flash photography was permitted this evening, and for everyone to have a good time.
With sounds of the musicians tuning their instruments in the orchestra pit, Derek Hough picked up a microphone and immediately began to address the crowd for the 1st time of the evening, stating that prior to dance, he had played the drums as he queued up the percussion accompaniments. Moments later, he began to really stir up the crowd as he instructed the audience to make as much noise as they could while he counted them in.
Up on that stage, Hough was accompanied by several very skillful dancers. But, one dancer in particular -- Hayler Erbert -- drew everyone's attention whenever she set foot on that stage this evening. Just four short months prior, Erbert (Mrs. Derek Hough) had suffered a traumatic brain injury. One of the main headlines leading up to the tour's start was the announcement that 29-year old Hayley was back in rotation and would be beside her fellow dancers, with her 1st show back being the 1st show of the tour in Melbourne FL the week prior, on April 14. Tonight, Hayley's beautiful presence was featured initially in 'Think' (Aretha Franklin cover). Yet, as if the show emanating from her flawless dancing could not get any better, the relatively new Mr. and Mrs. Hough who were just under 8 months of marriage at the time of this writing, adorned a beautiful long dress as husband-Hough held a microphone singing 'Can't Take My Eyes Off You' (Frankie Valli cover) making it feel as though we were all attending the wedding reception.
Shortly thereafter, Derek walked onto the stage with an unbuttoned dress shirt and the females in the audience began shrieking in excitement. Backed by a Latin beat, 'Twist and Shout' medleyed with 'La Bamba' nearly sent the audience into a frenzy as the dancers were upbeat, lively, and emoting unparalleled energy on tonight's stage.
A beautiful instrumental cover of Metallica's 'One', a shirtless performance by Derek, and a Cirque du Soleil-esque routine involving long red ribbons held by the dancers with the Houghs being highlighted in the middle... the audience's senses were skyrocketing into the atmosphere. The amazing musical arrangements, coupled with the astounding acoustics of the venue, and all of the colors and perfectly choreographed dance routines onstage, was causing a tolerable over-stimulation of sight and sound, and the crowd excitedly craved more.
Derek showcased his vocal prowess again by singing 'Johnny B. Goode' as he descended into the audience, walking amongst his adoring and screaming fans, while he waved at and charmed his way through the crowd. Eventually finding his way back to the stage, he arrived just in time to dazzle the crowd with a skillful guitar solo.
A few moments later he announced that it was 'volunteer time' when he pulled 5 persons up onto the stage from the crowd, took a running start from behind them, then jumped over the heads of all 5 standing individuals at once. Did it add much to the show? Not particularly in terms of the show itself, but when he called for volunteers, even those up in the rafters were raising their hands screaming 'me, me, me!!!' So in terms of drawing the audience in even closer into the show, it was a very good move on his part!
The show moves to a 20 minute intermission and has been full of excitement and adrenaline thus far. The 2nd set somehow managed to keep the same high-paced action as the 1st set, but there were some very special tributes to 'Singing in the Rain', some insightful mention of his grandparents / parents and their involvement with dance, and some very heartfelt homage paid to Dancing With The Stars judge, Len Goodman. The final number was a beautiful number with the dancers in all-white, moving to 'I'll Fix You.'
'Symphony' is simply defined as a harmonious arrangement, making the name of this tour (Symphony of Dance) the epitomic title for what was a beautifully orchestrated choreography of dance, sound, and light. If I had had my camera in the theatre this evening, every single shot would have been artistic perfection, filled with raw emotion that only these highly skilled dancers at the top of their game could have been capable of showcasing. For 2 hours I sat mesmerized by a wonderful and amazing show, and am so glad I was able to witness it. The chemistry between Derek and Hayley was almost fairytale-like in that it felt almost too brilliant to comprehend, and thankfully those 2 are talented enough that they were able to convey that magic between them up on that stage. Sincerely looking forward to whatever the Houghs bring back to central Florida next time around!
Bailey Guinigundo
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