Apple Valley’s annual variety show is back with new twists and tricks — it’s like nothing you’ve ever seen before.

Whether you’re a long time never-miss-a-show fan of Apple Valley productions, or just a student who enjoys getting out of class to see theater previews, Broadway 2016: At The Dance will surely get you on your feet.

Just like always, Broadway is an amalgamation of some of the school’s largest performing arts programs: The band carries the melody that vocalists weave lyrics upon, while dancers’ swift motions fill the audience with wonder. This fusion of the arts is unique all by itself – professional orchestras never get the luxury of working with dance troupes, and it’s even more unheard of for a well trained choir to join in.  Add in the use of popular songs and dance music, and people might think you’re making things up!

But always one to impress, AVHS manages to pull off the impossible in Broadway. Every year hundreds of people flock to the theater night after night. Last year, Broadway 2015: Seasons managed to sell out the entire house for the first time in a decade. That left  tough shoes to fill, but the performers already outdone themselves. The first weekend of shows sold one hundred more tickets than last year each night!

A quick skim of the song list might have you believe that the focus is only on dancing, but the reality of this year’s theme is much broader. It’s more than just a feel good vibe centered around a dancefloor. Broadway 2016 features something entirely new to the show: skits that carry forward a plot. The audience watches as a chaotic and often hilarious class lecture plays out. The skits, penned by Joshua Campbell, introduce each segment of the show. From line dances to breakup drama, the topics focus on average things you might see at a school dance.

Spurred on by last year’s success, more audience participation is also mixed into the show. Like before, a few lucky participants will be invited onto the stage. But unique to this year alone, there are times when the entire audience will get a chance to get up and show what they’ve got.

The energy, costumes, and pieces might actually convince you that you’re attending a school dance. The set pushes this further – with a mock gym floor and plenty of cheesy streamers and decorations. The bandstand is crowned by a row of Broadway-themed champion banners and a light-up scoreboard. Some numbers are spiced up with a row of bleachers added into the mix — the atmosphere is a near-perfect mimic.

Creating such an intricate masterpiece like Broadway takes time. A lot of time. The show’s directors (Mr. Blatzheim, Ms. Kristin, Mr. Scalise, Mr. Dodge, and Don Romain) begin planning in the summer. The first order of business is picking a theme. Once they know their focus, September and October are devoted to hand-picking different songs to feature. Boring old tunes will never do, so they throw in songs from across the ages — including Uptown Funk, the recent Grammy winner for song of the year.

In November, the dance department is given part of the song list. Dancers will get to know some of the songs before anyone else as they begin their auditions. Once a talented group is chosen, their practices begin. “[This year] it’s a lot more upbeat, and setting the bar really high.” said Dancer Antonio de Lugo. “It’s already surpassed my expectations — and I’ve heard it’s passed a lot of other people’s expectations too.” De Lugo is a recurring soloist dancer alongside Grace Mitchell, Anna Chanthavisouk, and others.

By December, the band has begun their work on the pieces, taking careful time for the jazz ensembles to learn their respective pieces and balance the harmonies. Baritone saxophone player Anna Watson said, “I definitely feel super involved in the show, more so this year than any other year I’ve been in the show.” The songs involving each of the bands are well dispersed and make excellent use of the horn section.

January marks the start of the singers’ rehearsal and the beginning of tech build. Drills whir right across the hall from notes sung. The tech crew also has many jobs to do once the real show begins — working behind the scenes to make things look great and run smoothly. “Each song in Broadway is its own ‘scene’ on the soundboard, with all the singers and band instruments all cued up and ready to go,” said Steven Schroeder, a sophomore sound technician. Setting up and adjusting sound levels is just one of the many jobs the tech crew handles during performances.

In case of emergency, the vocalists have a system of backups for every song. They also take special care of their voices in the days leading up to shows — if a singing friend of yours has grown quieter recently, they’re probably part of Broadway. “It’s one of the most crazy experiences!” said junior Tessa Lexa. “Good Crazy! There’s so much going on in a very short amount of time. We all come together and work as a team to put on a spectacular show, and we get to know each other on a deeper level.”

The process is long, but the product is well worth it. Broadway 2016 has been universally well received. “It was actually good. I usually don’t like plays, but it was really interesting,” said junior Benjamin Keomanyvong.

Broadway 2016: At The Dance has plenty of surprises and applause-worthy moments in store for its audience. But reading about it isn’t the best way to experience this show — go out and see it for yourself this Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm, or Sunday at 2 pm. Tickets are available online or at the ticket office during lunch — get them before they’re gone! Dance to the music and find yourself utterly engaged in this spectacular performance!