No one tells the story of the American dream and blue-collar reality quite like Billy Joel, and no one creates American dance with quite the same panache as choreographer Twyla Tharp. Put the two of them together and you've got the Tony award-winning Movin' Out, which returns to Tampa this Sunday. In the show, which debuted in 2002, Tharp's dancers and a live band interpret 24 of Joel's hits to charming and poignant effect, focusing on characters from Joel's songs like the childhood friend who's left behind in "James" and blue-collar Anthony of "Movin' Out." More like a ballet with a rock backdrop than a traditional musical, it's accessible to dance and Joel fans alike, so jump in the Cadillac-ac-ac-ac and see the stories behind the songs. Sun., March 2, 2 and 7 p.m., Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 N. McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater, $47-$67, 727-791-7400, rutheckerdhall.com.
This article appears in Feb 27 – Mar 4, 2008.