Shapiro Theater couldn't contain the slew of Brandeis students that flocked to view the remarkable dance phenomenon called "Standing O!" on Saturday. Many came to see the seventh annual performance hosted by B'yachad, Brandeis' Israeli folk dance troupe. The night included dance performances by B'yachad, Adagio and the Ballroom Dance Team, as well as many off-campus groups. The whole evening was a wonderful showcase of dance influenced both by Israeli and American cultures.Host group B'yachad travels to competitions in New York, Washington and all over the Northeast. Legend has it that the name for the show "Standing O!" originated because B'yachad hoped the troupe would receive a standing ovation at the end of the night.

B'yachad certainly deserved their 'Standing O.' The extremely talented troupe of men and women performed a stunning array of highly original, creative Israeli dances. Each piece was choreographed by a member of the ensemble and boasted its own flavor, from the Latin-influenced pieces to the upbeat movements of "Ata Totach" to the graceful, flowing dancing in "Darkeynu." Yet the repeated movements and style of each dance were distinctly Israeli.

My favorite was a piece in which each dancer leapt across the stage, yelling and clapping. The energy and smiles of the group were spellbinding, and audience members kept cheering and smiling throughout all of the dances. Each piece was enjoyable to watch, as numerous costume changes and brightly colored backgrounds complimented the liveliness and variety of the B'yachad performance.
The first-rate Israeli dancing of the night was accompanied by first-rate Israeli a cappella music from Brandeis Manginah. Their set highlighted the moving bodies of the night, and gave the rest of us an experience to remember.

To provide contrast to the Israeli dancing of B'yachad, the troupe also invited ' Adagio Dance Ensemble and the Ballroom Dance Team to perform. Adagio danced a provocative version of several songs, and it was definitely this group that got the crowd pumping with excitement. The group's jazzy, sultry numbers and revealing costumes were a striking contrast to the more conservative, classy Israeli dance and flowing dresses of B'yachad's dancers. The Ballroom Dance Team also got the crowd going with their sexy Latin rhythms and flashy dance movements.

"Standing O!" was a fun time and a wonderful exploration of Jewish American Culture. The two hours of"Standing O!" definitely deserves an ovation of its own. From start to finish, there was no stopping the energy of Saturday night.

Editors' Note: The Justice is aware that this article was plagiarized from another article, "Standing O' sweeps crowds off feet," published on Feb. 18, 2003. The writer's other articles are under review.