A “Pretty. Odd.” Experience

Maddy Petz

July 16, 2022 | Andy Art Center

Panic! At the Disco hit the nail on the head when titling their 2008 album, “Pretty. Odd.” Peculiar yet highly entertaining, the album offers the perfect sound score for an even more peculiar and entertaining production. Watch along as dancers traverse through what Entertainment Weekly could only describe as, “an admirable ambitious musical bonanza.” A “Pretty. Odd.” Experience (2022), is a project that has been in the works since 2018, and seeks to produce the complete choreographed story of Panic! At the Disco’s entire “Pretty. Odd.” album. Guided by lyrical narration, an energetic cast brings the music to life through athletic and liberating movement. Pop punk, folk, whimsy, and a dash of theatricality are remixed and reproduced in the form of contemporary dance, daring you to guess what will happen next.

This work portrays both the mundane aspects of life, as well as the intersection of these patterns in the natural world. Elements of nature become personified through human bodies, establishing whimsical and fantastical performance. With tendencies to be consistently “doing the most”, the piece reflects an individual’s journey through the rat race of our current culture. But what happens when external forces guide them reconnect with their juvenile spirit? If nothing else, A “Pretty. Odd.” Experience will leave you artistically energized, visually stimulated, and, perhaps, dancing right alongside us in your seat.

Behind the Odd

Bella Brown | Rehearsal Director

Gabby Heabeart | Stage Manager

Sophia Brown | Front of House Director

Phillip Hall | Lighting Designer

Shane Lesniak | Head Carpenter

Amanda Zawisza | Graphic Designer

The Music

Featuring music of Panic! At the Disco’s Pretty. Odd. album (2008)

Act One: “We’re So Starving”, “Nine in the Afternoon”, “She’s a Handsome Woman”, “Do You Know What I’m Seeing?”, “That Green Gentleman (Things Have Changed)”, “I Have Friends in Holy Spaces”, “Northern Downpour”, “When the Day Met the Night”

Act Two: “Pas de Cheval”, “The Piano Knows Something I Don’t”, “Behind The Sea”, “Folkin’ Around”, “She Had The World”, “From a Mountain in the Middle of the Cabins”, “Mad as Rabbits”.

About Maddy Petz

Maddy Petz is a Detroit-based performer, choreographer and teacher with a BFA in Dance from Wayne State University. She has been dancing nearly her entire life, and has always maintained an energetic, vibrant, presence on and off the stage. Striving to uphold a positivity throughout her day to day life, she finds great enjoyment within the rehearsal and creative process that dance has to offer. Currently, she is dancing professionally with Take Root Dance, teaching at Kercheval Dance and coaching the Grosse Pointe South dance team, all while continuing to create and present her own work in the Detroit area. Throughout her career, Maddy has received two Copperfoot Awards for her choreography, in addition to being a runner up for the Maggie Allesee Choreography Award. Her extensive background in contemporary and modern dance, and her passion for musical theater, all come to the forefront in the execution of her artistic vision. Maddy is overjoyed to be to be stepping into her new role as Artist Director of étude, eager to help other freelance artists like herself share their work with the world.

Thanks You to Our Pretty. Odd. Sponsors

Kercheval Dance

Heritage Veterinary Hospital, LLC

And a very special thank you to the Andy

“Andy is a community art center located in North West Detroit. We seek to support artistic creation and build social connections by offering quality affordable space and presentation opportunities for artists in all media.” @andyartcenter | andyarts.org

A “Pretty. Odd.” Experience is an ongoing project, if you are interested in seeing more of this work, please consider donating HERE and labelling your donation “Pretty Odd”. All proceeds from this fund will go directly to the dancers and artists involved with this project and support development of this project in the future.

The Cast

Young Remy – Eric Blovits

Remy – Maddy Petz

Luna – Lena Granger

Thea – Katy McNarney

The Experience – Meghan Allen, Bella Brown, Taylor Craft, Joe Galba, Nicole Gerkey, Kayla Gonzalez, Hannah Rittmueller