Amaze—ing

Long before most people were even thinking of Christmas, holiday songs were being pumped through the speakers at Broadway Dancer Center.

It’s not uncommon for the holiday season to get an early start at the dance studio, as the On Broadway Dancers prepare for their annual holiday performances. But this year is a bit different.

Towards the end of summer, the dance center’s owner and artistic director Kim Scerine received a phone call from the organizers of Amaze Light Festival asking if she would join their team. They were looking for someone to create a stage show for the holiday light festival being held in Tinley Park and Scerine came highly recommended.

The mission was to create a stage show that incorporated the festival’s signature characters — Zing and Sparky — and enhanced the experience for guests.

As someone who loves everything about the holiday season, especially the lights, Scerine agreed and put together a stage show that incorporated her dance company, alumni members and individuals she has worked with on various theatre projects. It all centered around the two signature characters.

Scerine took on the additional tasks of casting, directing, staging and managing the performers who take the stage for three 30-minute performances each night.

There are 19 dancers, four singers and seven actors involved in the production and they rotate scheduled to ensure every performance time over the eight week engagement is filled. The cast is all local talent hailing from the Coal City, Braidwood, Wilmington and Channahon area.

Dancer Dailey O’Hern said there have been some challenges with performing an eight week engagement, mainly time management and balancing school work and extra-curriculars, “But it’s extremely rewarding, and you get to do what you love every night,” she said.

Each stage show features the Zing and Sparky characters, a singer and eight to 10 dancers—all current or former OBD members.

In developing the show, Scerine called on James Reinbacher to create lyrics for a dance number that would be unique to Amaze. The result was “Zing and Sparky,” a number that was recorded by OBD dancer and Coal City High School junior Stephen Byers.

The folks at Amaze liked the custom song so much they have since incorporated it into their New York production.

Reinbacher, who serves as the theatre director at Reed-Custer High School, also took on the task of blocking and staging the mascots, he’s assisted in editing audio files for a more inviting and fun sound, and even been utilized to set and run lighting for each of the stage shows.

The production has truly become a local project, as Scerine has called on friends and associates to asset in various roles. Her son, Jake, a former OBD dancers is currently managing the mascots.

Since the gates opened on Nov. 17, thousand of people have attended the festival, that is billed as the country’s largest light show and immersive holiday experience.

“The thing that I have enjoyed the most is getting to perform with all my best friends and taking pictures with all of the little kids after our performances,” said Brecken Johnson, an OBD dancer and senior at Coal City High School.

Like Johnson said, the dancers and mascots have enjoyed the opportunity to interact with attendees.

“Most of the kids think the dancers are Santa’s helpers and want to take pictures with them,” Scerine said.

At Amaze, guests stroll through five themed worlds of displays covered with twinkling lights and colossal 3D lighted decor.

Attendees can also enjoy the arctic express train ride, toboggan hill, shopping at Sparky’s Sweet Shop and Zing’s Toyporium.

And, there are photo opportunities around every corner of the festival that comes to life every half hour when Zing and Sparky take the stage.

Located within Odyssey Fun World at 19111 Oak Park Ave. in Tinley Park, Amaze is open daily from 4-10 p.m. with stage shows at 5, 7 and 9 p.m. though Jan. 8. Book tickets at amazelightfestival.com.

Scerine said taking on this project has been a rewarding experience for everyone involved and she’s proud of the work and commitment of her dancers.

“I am so impressed with the professionalism they display from the minute they arrive until their last show. We have had our share of challenges, especially when you’re dealing with winter weather. But, I know I can count of everyone of them.”

Again, the dancers can be seen on the main stage each evening at 5,7 and 9 p.m.

For those wondering why there was no OBD holiday show this past Thanksgiving weekend in Coal City, now you know the dancers were under a different spotlight this holiday season.