‘Dancing with the Stars,’ ‘American Idol’ finalists and more will perform Hollywood’s best musical moments at Bucks County Playhouse
By Samantha Bambino
The Times
Imagine seeing your favorite movie moments come to life on one stage. Jack supporting Rose as she “flies” on the stern of the Titanic. Danny and Sandy’s infamous “You’re the One That I Want” routine. Even Willie Wonka’s colorful “Pure Imagination” number.
From March 7–11, Bucks County Playhouse is giving audiences that chance when it rolls out the red carpet for the spring tour of Dance to the Movies as part of its Visiting Artists Series. The production will feature professionals and finalists from some of the most popular reality television shows, including Dancing With The Stars, American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance, who will celebrate and reinvent some of Hollywood’s best musical moments.
To see what the cast has in store for audiences, The Times caught up with DWTS veteran Tony Dovolani, who will star in and co-host Dance to the Movies alongside fellow pro Anna Trebunskaya.
According to Dovolani, this unique tour was unveiled to the country last year and saw huge success, though it isn’t sponsored or affiliated with the ABC competition show. As a self-described “movie buff,” Dovolani was thrilled to have a key part in recreating some of the most beloved scenes in film history, and can’t wait to do it all again this year.
“Every time we do it, it keeps getting better and better,” he said.
At its heart, Dance to the Movies is a fresh, high-energy take on iconic characters and memorable scenes from a vast variety of film genres. Audiences of all ages can enjoy familiar showstoppers from West Side Story, Grease, Chicago and Moulin Rouge, as well as stunning new dances to scores from Singin’ in the Rain, Titanic, The Matrix and Willie Wonka. There’s definitely something for everyone.
In addition to experiencing a jam-packed evening of performances, reality show fanatics will have the honor of breathing the same air as their television idols. Professionals and finalists from Dancing With The Stars, including Lacey Schwimmer and Chelsie Hightower, and So You Think You Can Dance will show off stunning choreography while a rotating cast of favorites from American Idol and America’s Got Talent lend their vocals. For Dovolani, this is just as exciting for him as it is for fans.
“We get to meet the people who watched us for so long and say ‘thank you,’” he said.
As a way to give back to those longtime viewers, Dovolani promised Dance to the Movies will be an extremely interactive experience. Rather than transitioning from one number to the next, he, Trebunskaya and the rest of the cast will chat with audience members throughout the evening, giving them insight into the performances and allowing them to feel part of the show.
Though Dovolani is ever the charming conversationalist when it comes to his fans, when asked to choose his favorite Dance to the Movies performance, he simply couldn’t.
“All of them,” he said. “Each movie has its own special story. I live each moment as real as possible.”
Dance to the Movies will run from March 7 to 11 at the Bucks County Playhouse, 70 S. Main St. in New Hope. There will be performances on Wednesday, March 7, and Thursday, March 8, at 2 and 7:30 p.m., Friday, March 8, at 8 p.m., Saturday, March 10, at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday, March 11, at 2 p.m. For ticket information, visit bcptheater.org/visiting-artists-series/dance-to-the-movies/ or call 215–862–2121.
Upcoming productions in Bucks County Playhouse’s Visiting Artists Series include America’s Got Talent finalist Catapult on April 13, who will put on a magical production with dancers who work behind a screen to create shadow silhouettes, and Well-Strung String Quartet on May 5, which features Amazing Race contestants Christopher Marchant and Trevor Wadleigh.
Tickets for most Visiting Artists Series performances are on sale now. Special pricing is available for groups of 10 or more. For more information, visit buckscountyplayhouse.org. ••
Samantha Bambino can be reached at sbambino@newspapermediagroup.com
