Derek Hough brings latest show home to Utah

SALT LAKE CITY — Utahn and award-winning dancer/choreographer Derek Hough is bringing his latest manufacturing home to Salt Lake City.

The precision, the vitality and the showmanship — Derek Hough is bringing his “Symphony of Dance — Encore” to the George S. and Dolores Dore Eccles Theater in downtown Salt Lake City.

Hough mentioned bringing the show to the Eccles Theater feels particular.

“Especially this theater. The Eccles Theater is such a beautiful, beautiful theater, and when I come back, there is just a moment of just reflection of my journey … how far I’ve come, traveling to London and the training, the hours, what I’ve accomplished,” he mentioned. “To come back home to Utah, in a city where I grew up, and to be on that stage, is extraordinary. It’s always a pinch-me moment, something I never, ever take for granted.”

He is especially enthusiastic about who’s coming with him.

“The cast of dancers that I have for this tour are literally some of the best dancers I have ever seen. They’re extraordinary. And, actually, some of them are from Utah,” Hough mentioned. “They are home-grown from Utah. They are going to have their home shows in Utah. I can’t wait for them to experience that stage, that feeling.”

The show, he mentioned, options many dance kinds: Latin, jazz, rock and roll, up to date and ballroom, however it additionally tells a private story.

“You’re having fun, we’re laughing, it’s such a good time. There’s comedy in it, but there’s also a lot of emotion and a lot of tears,” Hough mentioned.

The emotion that comes from telling the story of his spouse and fellow dancer’s, Hayley’s, near-death expertise with a mind bleed. He described it as: one minute, they have been dancing; the following, she collapsed. He was recognized with a traumatic mind harm. However, months later, Hayley was dancing once more.

They additionally share their lack of a child by miscarriage earlier than the enjoyment of the delivery of their daughter, Everley.

A documentary detailing their lives premiered just lately on the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City. And all of this, they share of their new show.

“It’s an emotional and very vulnerable moment, but it’s a moment that we hope to connect with the audience in a really powerful way,” Hough mentioned.

Hough choreographed a brand new quantity for this manufacturing. It’s a tip of his hat to “Dancing with the Stars.”

“I have somebody come up on stage, and they guest judge with me. It’s this really fun, elaborate, talking about what it’s like to be a judge and eventually turning our guests into a judge themselves,” he mentioned.

Popular prime time dance reveals have introduced the artwork of dance into the mainstream. Hough, his sister Julianne and their fellow dancers actually helped shine a lightweight on the artwork kind they love.

“When I grew up, it wasn’t the coolest thing to be a dancer, right?” he mentioned. “We’ve been able to show what dance is, not just from an art form but the athleticism, the challenging aspect of it, the storytelling … it’s been a pleasure, and it’s been amazing.”

Derek Hough mentioned this nationwide tour is crammed with pleasure and gratitude for his household and doing what he loves: taking the artwork of dance to new heights.

“Symphony of Dance—Encore“could have two reveals on the Eccles Theater in downtown Salt Lake on June 26 and 27.