**** Highly Recommended You don’t have to be a fan of Dancing with the Stars to appreciate the dazzling spectacle that is Savor after Hours. It is quite simply breathtaking! This high-energy production features some of the world’s best ballroom dancers flawlessly executing the brilliant choreography of KC Monnie. Helen and I both loved this show! 4 BIG Spotlights
Savor after Hours features Val Chmerkovskiy, his wife, Jenna Johnson Chmerkovskiy, and Artem Chigvintsev, all individual dance champions as well as Dancing with the Stars pros. From July 23rd through August 4th, Artem will be joined by Pasha Pashkov and his wife, Daniela Karagach. Val and Jenna return on August 6th when they will be joined by Val’s brother, Maks Chmerkovskiy.
Val Chmerkovskiy is a fan favorite of Dancing with the Stars devotees. It was easy to see why. He’s actually an all-around talent. In addition to flawless dance technique, he’s funny, personable, charismatic, sexy – and he looks great with or without a shirt! His paso doble absolutely sizzled! He blew me away when he played flawless violin during one number. Jenna Johnson Chmerkovskiy is a perfect foil for her husband Val as they partnered in several dances. She’s gorgeous, sexy and talented.
Broadway Playhouse’s intimate stage is the perfect space for Savor after Hours. The set looks like a club somewhere, with audience members sitting at tables on each side. With stairs on each side of the stage, the cast has easy access to the audience.
One of my favorite parts of the show was a segment called the bachelorette party. Wearing costumes vaguely reminiscent of bridesmaids’ dresses, the women of the cast spread through the audience looking for the bride. When they settled on a willing volunteer, they gave her a ‘bride’ sash and led her onstage. Once she was seated, two very sexy guys, Magic Artem and Chippen Val, danced a ‘Magic Mike’ type routine around her. Marcy was a really good sport, even copying Artem’s dance moves!
In another fun number, Hey Big Spender, a Fosse/Verden classic, another volunteer from the audience, a man this time, was seated at a table and all the ladies danced around him.
Although the dance routines are complicated, the cast is small. Joining the stars are dancers Jack Moore, Jalen Forward, Kayli Johnston, Kenidee Allen and Olivia Cava
For some reason, creator Mark “Swanny” Swanhart decided to use wines to link the dances – adding a narrator (Allie Meixner) who introduced herself as ‘Som Ley’ (Really!). She didn’t dance, just kind of sang/talked her lines. Just a waste of good dance time!
By the way, kudos to Costume Designer Daniela Gschwendtner for the gorgeous, sexy, sparkly costumes.
Savor after Hours runs through August 18th at Broadway in Chicago’s Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place, 175 E. Chestnut, Chicago. 26th. Running time is one hour, 15 minutes, no intermission. Suitable for ages 14 and up.
Performances are Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays at 7:00 pm, Fridays at 7:30 pm, Saturdays at 2:00 & 7:30 pm, and Sundays at 1:00 & 6:00 pm. Tickets range from $50 - $114. FYI (800) 775-2000, ww.ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster retail locations and www.BroadwayInChicago.com.