The young entrepreneurs, who choose to share their ages during the introductions, range in age from 13 to 22, and their performance talents run the gamut. They are actors, singers, musicians, dancers, and songwriters, from varied backgrounds and levels of experience. Some have aspirations beyond on being in front of the camera and hope to someday be writers, directors and producers of their own projects. All of them seem to share the hope that Fever, will be the start of big things for them.

Those of us there were treated to highlights from the show they intend to tape, Friday March 30 at 7:00 pm and Saturday March 31 at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm at the TR Dance Center in Norfolk. Tickets are available for these performances for $15.00.

The show we saw highlighted the two guest artists, Terrence Smith and Jonathan Bradford, and Jesse Mitchell who played an original work on his saxophone, and the dancers. I was sorry we only got to see the actors as part of the opening dance number, I was curious about the comedy sketches that had been written to be used as part of the show.

I will say I was impressed by the energy and talent that was presented. There is little doubt that anyone who hears Terrence Smith sing will be impressed. He has one of those voices that fill a theater, and then some. Two original pieces were presented by their composers. Jonathan Bradford sang a nice quiet song accompanied by his guitar, and Jesse Mitchell played his saxophone, while four of the dancers preformed.

The show features two sets of dancers, the free-style dancers, and then the regular dancers. No doubt they are all very talented but they haven’t mastered performing as a group. Although they have the movements down, they aren’t quite together. One dancer may give big sweeping motions, while the next has very tight controlled movements, and in general they all still look like they are concentrating on where their feet, arm, hand, etc, has to be next. That being said, I do realize they have only been working together two days. Hopefully in the three days before the tapings they will have the opportunity to become more unified in their movement.

The plan, as I understand it, is to tape this pilot performance, and then take it to National cable televisions networks and sell the series. The resulting show would be a mix of reality TV and variety show, as we watch them learn and grow within the entertainment industry. Karma Butler wants to touch his audience with quality and content of his production, not the scandal that seems to be the mainstay of most of today’s reality based entertainment, as well as provide his young entrainment entrepreneurs the opportunity to learn the business.

Although I am not sure Mr. Butler will be able to find a national audience for Fever, I don’t doubt for a moment, that the people involved in the pilot project will have gained valuable experience, and the audience will see some wonderful performances during the tapings.