Review: Masterworks Chorale Ensemble’s ‘80’s Dance Party’ 

Rachel Benton

Every performance I attend feels like such a treat, an honor to behold, and truly the highlight of my week. I love having performances to look forward to ahead of time! 

There are certain performances that arise that I get more excited about than others, and this was one of them.

Interviewing Masterworks Choral Ensemble (MCE) Artistic Director and Conductor Ben Luedcke a couple weeks ago made my anticipation grow to levels that exceeded typical nerddom (read that column here). I listened to 80’s music for a couple weeks beforehand, bought a new outfit from Hot Toddy for the occasion, and found myself telling everyone about it.

Naturally, this led to very high expectations for the event at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Olympia.

Admittedly, I had a moment of panic right before the show, where I worried that I built up the event in my mind to be better than it was going to be. I am happy to report it was actually the opposite — it exceeded my very high expectations.  

I cannot encourage you enough, avoid FOMO (fear of missing out) and make a plan to become an MCE subscriber for the 2026-27 season. Subscriptions will be going on sale later this summer. Sign up for their email newsletter so you can be notified as soon as subscriptions go on sale.    

All the concerts look amazing, but I am especially looking forward to “Higher Ground,” which celebrates the contributions of black songwriters and performers.  

The review 

Radio hits and cult classics alike were performed in such a way I will never forget. The intentionality woven through Luedcke’s programming for this concert was evident and truly outstanding! It is worth listing every song featured on the program, read that list here. As you can imagine from reading the program, every song felt like my favorite.  

I applaud every member of the chorale and band for maintaining a happy, enthusiastic and positive energy throughout the show.

Just as I said to my mom, “There was no frown in sight!” But not every song made happy tears well up in my eyes. The following were my personal favorite moments from the show

• Doreese Norman, Adeline Albert and Jessica Barnes brought the best girl power and delightfully campy to their cover of The Pointer Sister’s, “Jump For My Love.” Their vocal quality was impressive, as was their choreography, which nodded to the infamous Hugh Grant scene from “Love Actually.”  

• The choral arrangement of Limahl’s, “The Never Ending Story” was everything I dreamed it would be and more. It is rare to not only find an arrangement so in tune with the original song, but it is even more rare to find a choir that performs the arrangement perfectly, as well as emotionally, for it is human passion that differentiates a great choir from an average professional choir.  

• “Flashdance ... What a Feeling” contained another arrangement and performance I enjoyed more than I thought it would. Similar to “The Never Ending Story,” this song is vibrant and demands a specific energy, which the choir provided.  

• I remember when I interviewed Luedcke that he mentioned how naysayers may think choirs have no business performing Michael Jackson’s "Thriller.” I would like to invite everyone to watch clips from MCE’s performance of this iconic hit. Another arrangement that complimented the chorus perfectly. The cremé de la cremé was Drew Campling’s solo highlighting the Vincent Price portion of that song. The facial expressions, arm movements and vocal tone were incredible.  

• I’m giving Luedcke his own note here because he is always so fun to watch on stage. He gets “jiggy with it” on stage, moving to the groove of the music, and just looks like he is having the time of his life on stage.  

• Victoria Montrose wins the competition (there was no competition actually) for best 80’s look on stage with her impressive pink mohawk. Again, chef’s kiss!  

Reflecting on this concert afterward with my mom, I told her how being in the audience felt like traveling back in time — not just to the 80s, but my own personal catalog of memories.  

“Thriller” reminded me of trick or treating with my mom and sister. My mom used to blast this song in the car. “Take On Me” reminded me of playing “Dance Dance Revolution” in fourth grade.  

“I’ve Had the Time of My Life” reminded me of when my mom let me watch “Dirty Dancing” for the first time in fifth grade because I was mature for my age (which I so was). 

“We Belong” and “Flashdance” took me back to seventh grade when I felt a deep love for this music.

“Africa” took me back to my high school jazz choir days and singing this at the spring 2015 concert.  

One question remains: where does this music take you? Comment below! 

Rachel is a writer, arts advocate, performing arts enthusiast, and passionate about our beloved Thurston County. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in History and Political Science and minor in Music. You can enjoy more of Rachel's writings by visiting her website. All inquiries for Rachel can be submitted here.