As the members of the Jabbawockeez head toward the second anniversary of their second Las Vegas production, PRiSM, they’ve reached a professional milestone. They’ve arrived, survived and established themselves enough to now look forward to the troupe’s legacy being passed on to a new generation. Before they had even launched their groundbreaking show at the Luxor on May 31, 2013, the Jabbawockeez were introduced at World of Dance L.A. 2013 as individuals who significantly elevated dance culture. With PRiSM, they’ve both widened their demographic with a more accessible show and demonstrated to aspiring B-boys that, more than ever before, dedication to street dancing can pay off.
PRiSM originated with the Jabbawockeez’ move from the Monte Carlo to Luxor, into a theater designed for them. “It was like coming into a brand new home,” says co-founding member Kevin “KB” Brewer during an interview at the troupe’s headquarters. “We wanted to start fresh, and that’s the reason why we wanted to go into another show. And the premise behind the show is … we like Star Wars and The Matrix, those types of movies that have a meaning that is applicable to life. Jedis, light and dark. So we really talk about those kinds of things. We really wanted to encourage being about the light, you know? Positivity.”
They reunited with choreographers Tabitha and Napoleon D’Umo, stuck giant, blank Post-its on the wall for taking notes and started working with a concept inspired by the color spectrum. By this point they were not only internationally renowned street dancers who reigned supreme during the debut season of America’s Best Dance Crew in 2008; they were also seasoned Strip headliners ready to apply several years of acquired stage wisdom to the new production. PRiSM exudes good-natured positivity that bridges mischievous slapstick with magical B-boy movement, segueing from a black-and-white yin-yang introduction to a more character-based second act in which red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet are all represented.
While the choreography of previous production Mus.I.C. was just as dazzling, PRiSM is more accessible, due in part to the crew’s increased mastery of audience interaction. And unlike the last show, the masks don’t come off, maintaining the mystique of the Jabbawockeez’ signature fashion element. Instead, the audience gets to participate in “The Harlem Shake,” ensuring the entire room is on its feet after the finale. PRiSM not only represents more than a decade of stylistic evolution demonstrated with a blend of harmonic collective movement and individual virtuosity, it demonstrates how far street dancing has come and indicates possibilities for the next generation of B-boys who can realistically aspire to audition for a Jabbawockeez production—or start their own.
“That’s the goal,” says Jeff “Phi” Nguyen. “It’s bigger than Jabbawockeez. We just happen to be the first ones to headline our own show in Vegas. The goal is to open the floodgates for all dancers. It would be awesome to see another dance show, and it doesn’t have to be a hip-hop dance show.”
Luxor, 7 p.m. Sun.-Tues., 7 & 9:30 p.m. Wed. & Sat., $55 plus tax and fee. 702.262.4400
