Groovaloo

Let’s be frank. There is a plot. There is singing. There are personal stories being told à la A Chorus Line about how these individuals came to, and sometimes were salvaged by, dance. But ultimately, what makes this 90-minute event compelling is the dancing, a swirl of hip-hop, freestyle and other street genres. Conceived by Bradley “Shooz” Rapier, the production involves a dozen-plus cast members collectively known as the Groovaloos. The original version premiered in 2005 at Burbank’s Falcon Theatre and sold out its entire 10-week run. A few scribes quibbled that the show’s true audience was middle-schoolers (which would put its aim several years older than the majority of current television and movies), but most reviewers found the fact-based stories spoke to a broad audience and were well woven into high-energy, dance-drenched performances. Not resting on their laurels, the creative team and dancers spent the past year workshopping this baby, and they promise to dazzle with an evening of new moves. The group’s Web site, www.groovaloos.com, offers preview video clips, studios where cast members teach their moves, and even a tribute to a fallen Groovaloo dancer. Cal State L.A. Luckman Fine Arts Complex, Intimate Theater, 5151 State University Dr., E.L.A.; opens Thurs., Feb. 1; perfs Thurs.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 8:30 p.m.; Sun., 3 p.m.; thru Feb. 25; $45. (323) 343-6600.

—Ann Haskins