by Catherine L. Tully
I have to say, I’m intrigued.
I have had the chance to watch some of the footage for the upcoming series, A Chance To Dance on Ovation, and I think it will be an interesting show. Putting a dance company together in just 28 days (7 episodes) seems a little over the top, but then again, it’s television.
That said, there are a few things that set this show up for a good run, and I can share them with you here without giving anything away…
The backing.
The idea for the series comes from Nigel and Simon Lythgoe, Producers of So You Think You Can Dance. Basically, these guys have an idea of what works–don’t you think?
The location.
Much of the footage here is shot in an absolutely gorgeous location which already has a rich dance history–Jacob’s Pillow in the Berkshires. The outdoor stage and natural surroundings provide a scenic backdrop, and the one-on-one interviews echo the behind the scenes drama that makes Survivor such a popular show. This helps add a visual appeal to what would otherwise be many hours of studio footage, which although realistic, is not exactly visually stimulating.
The personalities.
The two judges, Michael Nunn and Billy Trevitt, both danced with The Royal Ballet in London and have staged many popular productions over the past ten years. In addition to a strong dance background, they each contribute quite a bit of charisma as well.
Trevitt is very articulate when it comes to discussing his beliefs about dance and music and Nunn has a natural grace and humor about him that transforms what could be otherwise routine studio time into something special for the screen. They were both great picks for the show.
The premise.
Even if it is a familiar premise, it’s still a good one.
The judges travel to different places, auditioning dancers for the show. They are looking for dancers who are good–12 to be specific, to form a company that will perform at a New York Gala event, then continue on to be the opening act for the SYTYCD tour.
Who doesn’t want to see talented dancers who have been overlooked for one reason or another get their shot at the big time? The idea is so often used because it feels good.
I didn’t get to see much footage of the dancers actually dancing, but I’m looking forward to that part and hoping that they will do it well. There didn’t appear to be too much snark going on (at least not that I saw), which is actually a welcome relief. The show has promise without trying to manufacture any additional drama.
With the proliferation of dance shows on television as of late, it can be hard to know which ones are worth the time and which to skip.
I, for one, am going to give this show its “chance to dance”.
A Chance To Dance premieres August 17th at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT on Ovation.
