It's been a couple of years since I saw the most recent movie adaptation of "Chicago," but I'm having trouble picturing a more accurate rendition of the Broadway musical's "Cell Block Tango" than the one in the 37th annual Steamboat Springs Dance Theatre Concert.

The fourth piece on the program, "Cell Block Tango" - re-imagined for a Steamboat Springs stage and cast by Laurie Weaver - was a faithful rendition of a song and dance that pits murderous female inmates against their cheating former loves.

Along with the 17 other pieces, "Cell Block Tango" showed what can be done with volunteer effort, strong lighting and stage design, about five months of diligent rehearsal and an active interest in dance.

A mix of jazz, lyrical, swing, tap, hip-hop, African, belly and other dance styles, the Dance Theatre concert program didn't have any weak points and easily can claim a dozen or so exceptionally strong ones.

Jenny Meier and Heather Richey's "Bleeding Love" and Penny Hamilton's "Coexist" were stunning lyrical pieces, the latter pairing dancers posing on ladders with Yoshi Yonekawa's lighting design to create a series of boldly colored snapshots.

Jill Wernig's "The Heart Throbber Robber's Chain Gang" used clever music choices - "Mannish Boy" by Muddy Waters, "Chain of Fools" by Aretha Franklin - with an updated-1960s style dance sequence.

Abby Shikles' "Loose" had five dancers acting as happy puppies in a piece that was lighthearted, energetic and adorable.

Nicole Idzahl and Alison McMillen's "Mbende" worked with the Steamboat Springs African Drum Ensemble to craft a high-powered, street-inspired dance that kept its energy through a combination of traditional African dances.

Penny Hamilton and Julie Tucek's program-opening "The Dance Formerly Known As :" used a large ensemble to work through more dance styles than I could count and three songs by Prince.

And Ryan Browning's program-closing "Shake it for Faith" - set to Patti LaBelle's "Are You Ready For a Miracle," which might be one of the most upbeat songs ever recorded - was a raucous, joyful tribute to the dedication that goes into putting on each year's Dance Theatre concert, through preliminary planning, fall auditions, months of rehearsals, the grueling week of technical and dress rehearsals and the weekend of performances.

- Margaret Hair, 4 Points