A “Pretty. Odd” Experience
2022 – July 16 | Andy Arts 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, 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.
Maddy Petz
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Support A ‘Pretty. Odd.’ Experience here. All donations go directly to the dancers and artists involved with this project. Further donations continue to support development of this project in the future.
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In addition to the live performance at the Andy, Maddy presented a dance on film, Arrival to the Odd. This film shares an alternative perspective to an excerpt of her current work, A ‘Pretty. Odd.’ Experience. This premiered at RAW Detroit in 2022 on Tuesday, June 14th at St. Andrew’s Hall in Detroit.
“[RAW Detroit] attendees experience an independent film screening, a pop-up art gallery featuring independent visual artists and photographers, fashion shows from up-and-coming local designers, live musical performances, vendor booths hosting local artisans accessories designers and tech demos, beauty features through roaming models and live performance art. You'll get a little taste of everything that your creative community has to offer. Combine all of the above raw talent with cocktails, networking and shopping [for a wonderful night]”.
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
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”, and “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 etude, eager to help other freelance artists like herself share their work with the world. Learn more
