H.B. High students dance a tribute to David Bowie

The horns and drums begin to play, and the recorded voice of David Bowie commands, “Let’s Dance!”

More than 20 dance students from Huntington Beach High School explode in a theatrical frenzy, nearly running into each other on purpose while performing synchronized movements of musical theater, 1980s jazz dance and the slithery style of Bob Fosse — infused, of course, with “Cabaret”-style canes and accessories.

Senior Briani Allen “puts on her red shoes,” as the lyrics instruct, and wanders among her peers, seemingly frightened. The sight of Cole Wachman, dressed as a sort of Goblin King character from the Bowie film “Labyrinth,” a 1986 British-American adventure musical fantasy film, entrances her.

He lifts her up, physically and emotionally. She is his for the next 20 minutes or so, following his commands during Bowie’s “Fame” and his duet with Queen’s Freddie Mercury, “Under Pressure.”

The three-song dance, choreographed by Marie Hoffman and performed during a recent rehearsal by the school’s Academy for the Performing Arts’ Repertory Ensemble, is one of the highlights of the dance department’s annual symposium, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.

The show is about 2 hours long and features 16 numbers. Other dances include traditional island styles and a modern piece, “Everlasting Moments.” In addition, three seniors will do solos.

But the Bowie number is one that Hoffman, the APA dance department’s co-chair, believes will particularly excite the audience.

The piece reflects the legacy of Bowie — who died in January from cancer at age 69 — not just in the music, dancing and acting, but also through the elaborate clothing and theatrics.

Dancers do fast changes in costumes, which include ball gowns, top hats, sport coats and glow-in-the-dark shirts. There are 1980s touches throughout.

“These songs represent my high school and college years,” Hoffman said, adding she wanted music that would challenge her students. “I also wanted to showcase the diversity of this group as something a little bit more than just a one-trick pony. They really do it all.”

A throne, similar to the one Bowie’s “Labyrinth” character uses, sits on the stage, drawing Allen closer and closer to the captivating character seated in it that Wachman is portraying.

“This was really a chance for me to showcase their theatrical side, which they rarely ever get to do,” Hoffman said. “We have this sort of crazy land that’s directed by this one Mad Hatter kind of a person, and this innocent babe in the woods stumbles upon them, and she becomes sort of entranced.”

Hoffman said that despite the young ages of the performers, 15 to 18, they were familiar with the man behind Ziggy Stardust and so many other personas.

She said the students cheered when she told them in February that the piece had been selected.

Hoffman was particularly interested in getting Allen out of her shell.

“Briani is shy, almost to a point of being painful, but she’s an incredibly accomplished dancer,” she said. “This has been a real journey for her. I’ve seen her perform, mostly as a ballet dancer, and she has it in her, but it’s been a real process of me and her communicating and me telling her what I need in terms of an actress and performer. I’m so proud of what she’s doing.”

Allen said she was grateful for her role and looks at dance as a form of expression.

“Dance in general is a way to open up without having to use words and more just expressing yourself through the movement on stage,” the 18-year-old said.

Wachman, 18 and also a senior, said he believes the dance will be a crowd-pleaser following Bowie’s death.

“It will just take them back to when the songs were popular,” he said. “I know my parents are so excited. We’re tipping our hats to David Bowie, and everyone who sees it is going to appreciate it because he was such an icon.”

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IF YOU GO

What: Huntington Beach Academy for the Performing Arts symposium

When: 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 7:30 p.m. Sunday.

Where: 1905 Main St.

Cost: $22 for adults, $16 for students and seniors

Information: hbapa.org

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brittany.woolsey@latimes.com

Twitter: @BrittanyWoolsey