Alan Dedicoat’s iconic voiceover said it best, “Live from University Park, it’s Dancing with The Stars!”
Penn State students, families and friends cheered as the ABC show’s professional dancers took the stage Thursday night at the Bryce Jordan Center for “Dancing with The Stars: Live!”
The show kicked off with the introduction of professional dancers Alan Bersten, Rylee Arnold, Gleb Savchenko, Brandon Armstrong, Britt Stewart, Daniella Karagach, Pasha Pashkov, Emma Slater and Ezra Sosa.
Each dancer took the stage, showing the crowd some moves.
Co-host gymnast and Penn State alum Stephen Nedoroscik jumped into the performance with the cast and his former dance partner Rylee Arnold to a remix of Harry Belafonte’s “Jump In The Line.”
“Dancing with The Stars” season 33 mirrorball champions Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson were also welcomed onto the stage to perform “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” by Justin Timberlake.
The crowd screamed as Graziadei ripped his neon green shirt open during the number.
“I’m so happy to be here with you, this is our first time here at Penn State. I feel like it’s gonna be a good night,” host Emma Slater said.
Johnson reflected on an “unforgettable” season of “Dancing with The Stars”, thanking the fans for all of their support.
For Graziadei, one of his favorite things of this experience was meeting Johnson along with the other professionals and contestants on the show.
“I know we have a special one here tonight,” Graziadei said. “Everyone give it up for two-time Olympic bronze medalist Stephen Nedoroscik.”
Nedoroscik said he would have “never” expected to be back at Penn State onstage at the BJC in a sparkly blazer.
“Who’s here to see some hot, sexy ballroom dancing?” Slater said. “Who’s here to see Stephen and Rylee?”
Nedoroscik and Arnold performed their viral jive to “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen, followed by a performance from the male professionals to Justin Timberlake’s “SexyBack” with appearances by Graziadei and Nedoroscik.
Slater, accompanied by her co-hosts, Graziadei and Nedoroscik, walked on stage in Penn State jerseys to announce the next performance.
“This was actually Erza’s first season as a pro,” Slater said. “As with all new rookies of the season, his performance must be scrutinized by experts.”
The professional dancers vogued through Ariana Grande’s “yes, and?” and cha-cha’d to “I Love It” by Icona Pop.
Dancer Alan Bersten was presented an Oscar at Slater, Graziadei and Nedoroscik’s “acclaimed Academy Awards.”
In a more intimate moment, the crowd held up their phone flashlights for Arnold and Bersten’s duet to SZA’s “Nobody Gets Me.”
John Williams’ “Superman Main Theme” played as Bersten and Pashkov ripped off Nedoroscik’s tuxedo and he showed off his pommel horse skills on stage.
Haylee Graham, a second-year studying elementary education, enjoyed seeing Nedoroscik not only “kill it on the dance floor” but also perform pommel horse skills in front of the crowd.
In the full-cast performance of Sha Na Na’s “Born To Hand Jive,” Graziadei leaped over Johnson as confetti and streamers flew and exploded into the crowd.
After a quick intermission, the female professionals hit the stage in sparkly cowboy boots and matching cowboy hats.
Members of the audience were brought up to participate in the “Desert Dance Down.”
Selected guests were asked to mimic Slater, Johnson and Graziadei’s dance moves.
“What could go wrong out here in the Penn State desert,” Slater said. “Penn State give them a round of applause.”
Next performances were a group dance to Travis Tritt’s "T-R-O-U-B-L-E" and Savchenko and Slater’s duet to Chris Stapleton’s “Tennessee Whiskey.”
Nedoroscik and Arnold returned to the stage to thank the crowd for their “love” and “support” throughout the season.
“This season was truly so unforgettable,” Arnold said. “Honestly my favorite part of the entire season was most definitely our freestyle.”
Nedoroscik agreed with Arnold and shared how special the dance was to him.
“I got to bring out some of my national teammates and have them be a part of my ‘Dancing with The Stars’ journey.” Nedoroscik said.
Dressed in school uniforms, the cast performed an initiation for Sosa to join the “Pro Academy,” where Sosa said he learned “nothing,” as a nod to his partner Anna Delvey.
Savchenko gave Nedoroscik advice on how to become a professional dancer.
“Watch and learn pommel boy,” Savchenko said.
Up next, Pashkov and Karagach danced a rumba to Celia Cruz’s “Quimbara.”
“Cue the disco balls,” Nedoroscik said.
Disco balls shined onto the crowd as the cast danced along to “Shake Your Groove Thing” by Peaches & Herb.
Confetti shot into the crowd as the show ended with a performance of Donna Summer’s “Last Dance.”
