Whether dancers are famous, fit or even fat, watching them perform on television has become a national pastime. After all, who can forget Tom DeLay sashaying around the stage on "Dancing with the Stars?" In just a few seasons, Americans have become armchair experts on everything from the rumba to hip-hop. And deciding a dancer's fate with the flip of their cell phones only adds to the excitement.
For all of reality TV's silliness, it has reawakened interest in dance, an art form that is often obtuse and sometimes seems antiquated. And now the Music Center at Strathmore is getting in on the dance fever with a presentation of "Ballroom with A Twist" on Friday and Saturday. Director and choreographer Louis van Amstel may be best known for performing with Kelly Osborne on "Dancing with the Stars," but he designed "Ballroom" to attract "serious dance audiences along with families," explains Shelley Brown, Strathmore's artistic director.
The show is "fast and energetic," notes dancer Anya Fuchs. "Ballroom" is "pure entertainment" and sometimes "romantic. It's all about the joy of dancing."
And don't forget the costumes. "Ballroom" dancer Allison Holker is going gaga, calling the garb "fantastic, with all the rhinestones and fringe."
At just 21, Holker already has battle scars. While still a teen, she had her first knee surgery before doing "High School Musical." A second surgery to remove scar tissue didn't keep her from becoming a contestant on "So You Think You Can Dance." Even her doctor doesn't know she was running on the treadmill just three days after giving birth to her daughter some 17 months ago.
The dance business isn't only about conquering the box step without a visit to the emergency room; ageism is also prevalent. Even though Fuchs is a U.S. salsa national champion and Elgueta performed on "Dancing with the Stars," neither will divulge their age. They know that when it comes to dance, old fogies rarely rule a stage. But both contend that once on stage, aches and the ravages of time seem to disappear and an unrelenting passion sets in.
Danger often comes in what some have referred to as a "wardrobe malfunction." Holker will never forget her moment. While performing on "So You Think You Can Dance" and being spun around over her partner's head, she lost her shirt. For two or three seconds, the audience "saw me topless," she recalls. Fortunately, the routine wasn't on live TV and they were able to stop, make the necessary reattachments before continuing.
Fuchs wasn't so lucky. For the U.S. Mambo competition, she wore a sexy two-piece beaded outfit. In mid-routine, her bra snap broke and suddenly she was doing the mambo with her arms wrapped around her chest. The audience was sympathetic to her plight, and began clapping and cheering. The couple ended up placing third.
Elgueta isn't quite so sure. His job description involves picking up and twirling his 110-pound partner. And he must make it look effortless as he tries never to drop his whirling weight.
Even so, Elgueta likes performing in a live show.
He learned early on to "re-hook bra straps while performing" at break neck speed.
Fuchs spent years en pointe and was about to stop dancing and study international relations at U.C.L.A. But then she went out clubbing, and saw Brazilian, African and Cuban dance styles and her perceptions changed forever.
"I wasn't dressing in pink tights and black leotards dancing with 20 girls and two guys anymore," she says.
Although grateful for her disciplined ballet background, Fuchs did a complete "180-degree." Or almost — she acknowledges missing "the discipline required in ballet," but she found it again in ballroom dancing.
Soon she was traveling the competition circuit and started winning titles. These victories didn't make her wealthy, but she learned that "like a doctor," rigorous training was the only way to learn. Now she regularly auditions "like crazy" for shows.
Finding work on a TV show is a dancer's dream, and Elgueta jumped at performing on "Dance Your Ass Off." Created by the producers of "The Biggest Loser," he learned to dance with a 265-pound woman. He recalls that it was "weird at first," but soon learned that "anyone can dance." He proudly notes that his partner has since lost 110 pounds and "looks amazing." But best of all, the show has been picked up for another season.
Like his fellow dancers, it may be time for him to get out the Bengay.
"Ballroom with a Twist" will be presented at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, Rockville. American Idol performers David Hernandez and Trenyce Cobbins will sing. Tickets range from $35 to $79. Call 301-581-5100 or visit www.strathmore.org.
