"Le jour se lève", a show blending dance, song and musical

Dance, singing, musical theater, studio recordings, intergenerational workshops. On Sunday, June 28, their 80 students will take the stage at the Zénith de Toulon for an ambitious show blending disciplines, emotions, and collective energy.

Meeting with a duo who have made transmission an art in its own right. They answer questions from La Gazette du Var.

How is this major event on June 28 being prepared? Jean-Pierre SAVELLI.

It is a long-term effort. Our classes take place every Monday evening for two hours, but the reality is that we also work on Saturdays and Sundays, at home or at the Telluzzi hall, in la Valette. This year, Robert Albergucci, the director of the Zénith de Toulon, is providing us with a 400-seat hall.

We rehearse starting Saturday, June 27, and on Sunday 28 at 5 p.m., everyone will be on stage. There will be about 80 of us, children, teens, adults... It is a real challenge, but the energy is incredible.

You direct the entire dance section. Which disciplines will be represented?

SANDRY. A lot! Zumba, modern jazz, contemporary, lady style, cabaret, burlesque...

I like to mix genres. Lady style, for example, is danced in heels, but I adapt it so that it remains elegant, accessible, and empowering. These are women from 30 to 60 years old who are discovering their femininity, their confidence.

Some had never danced before. In three years, the progress has been huge. They surprise themselves.

And the youngest ones?

SANDRY. They are very committed. Some are 6 or 7 years old and are stepping onto the stage for the first time. Others, at 8 or 10, sing, dance, act. We see shy children who, over the months, gain confidence. It is beautiful to watch. The second part of the show is dedicated to Starmania.

Why this choice? JPS.

Because everyone knows Starmania. The students, the parents, the audience... It is a repertoire that speaks to all generations.

We have re-orchestrated 14 songs. People won't hear "Ziggy" or "La serveuse automate" like in 1978. These are new versions, more modern, more dynamic.

And, above all, the backing vocals are recorded by the students themselves in my studio. It is a real plus. They hear their voices in the show, which is very empowering for them.

Does your association function differently from a traditional school?

JPS.

We want the students to experience what they see on TV. We don't say "school", we say "workshops". For less than €400 a year, they get two hours of classes every Monday, weekend rehearsals, studio recordings...

In Paris or Marseille, it would be over €1,000. We want people to have fun, to progress, to live a real artistic experience. We are not talking about "The Voice" or "Star Academy".

Here, we are not looking for stars. We are looking for pleasure, sharing, progress. And you are surrounded by professionals.

JPS.

Yes, and that matters. The students know that Sandry continues to train in Paris, in international workshops with Yanis Marshall, a choreographer and specialist in heels dance and street jazz. They know that I am still on TV, in concerts, on film sets.

It motivates them. They say to themselves: "We are learning from artists who are actually working." And that changes everything.

Has the giant screen become a central element of your shows?

JPS.

Absolutely. Our daughter Lola, who is finishing her audiovisual studies in Paris, creates all the images. She creates video clips, montages, and visual atmospheres for each song.

For "La serveuse automate", she goes with her own ideas; she doesn't copy the official music videos. She invents. The giant screen has become essential.

It gives a professional dimension to the show. With its 80 participants, its ambitious choreographies, its unique orchestrations, and its giant screen animated by Lola, the show "Le jour se lève sur Starmania" promises to be one of the major artistic events of the Toulon summer.

More than a show, it is a human, family, and collective adventure, led by two artists who have made transmission their most beautiful stage.