‘Cause this is thrilla — thrilla night. The death of an icon can produce unprecedented shockwaves, ones that reveal the magnitude of the loss. As the lights dim, Michael Jackson‘s voice of the pre-show music slowly fades and one witnesses a true invigoration of the style he created.

Nicholas Leichter Dance company’s Free the Angels, opens the night, a light but symbolic show of true yoga skill combined with a flow that only natural dancers can maintain. From the slow beat of a light tune to the exhilarating pace of snappy jazz, this polished but (a little) short piece provides a glimpse of the intensity to come.

Business suits, aviators, cargos and some Nike Air Forces mesh together to create a parody of reality that makes up the explosive second act, Killa. The cast comes on stage, twisting and turning taking up every nook and cranny of the famous platform. Each body writhed and curved, with the definitive edge that kept the dance alive. The duo performance by Monstah Black and Dawn Robinson left something to be desired for, but Black’s elegance, bordering on the ridiculousness, makes up for it. The lights dance along with him, and his booming voice turns this dance into a mini-rock concert for a minute. Quite honestly, it becomes easy to get caught up in the confusion, marked by the sudden shift in tone, but that’s what makes it all the more enjoyable.

The ending routines go out with nothing short of a bang, as the entire cast comes out to do their own thing, a spark of individuality every performance should include. Leichter himself makes another quick appearance, silently paying tribute to the king of pop. All in all, the ludicrous styling of Monstah Black, and the intensity of the company create an experience that can truly be called a thriller.