RANCHO MURIETA, CA (MPG) - With a cast of 106 dancers ranging in age from 2 to 18, Murieta Dance Company transformed an empty supermarket at Murieta Plaza into a time-traveling adventure during its 2025 year-end recital on Dec. 13 and 14.

The two performances, held inside the former grocery space, drew about 400 attendees on Saturday and approximately 430 on Sunday, slightly exceeding the company’s attendance goal and marking the culmination of its 13th year in operation.

This year’s production, “Indiana Jones and the Lost Skull,” blended tap, jazz, ballet, hip-hop, musical theater and acting into a full-length original musical. Dancers brought to life an adventurous story set in 1984, with flashbacks to the 1940s, inspired by the Indiana Jones universe but reimagined through a youthful lens.

Company Director Doreen Zimmerman wrote the original script, which featured 16 speaking characters and incorporated 39 musical selections from a wide range of artists, including Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake, Rachel Portman and Survivor. The storyline begins when a mysterious package arrives at Indy Jones’ doorstep, revealing the journal of her missing grandfather: the famed Indiana Jones. The diary recounts a doomed expedition to the Amazon jungle decades earlier, where a sacred skull was stolen from the Temple of the Sun, costing one man his life and bringing misfortune to the others involved.

Determined to finish her grandfather’s mission, Indy sets off for the Amazon with her brother and two friends. There, they encounter the jungle’s queen and her people, and several adults involved in the  skull’s mysterious disappearance. Finding the skull and restoring the balance of the jungle becomes the focus of everyone involved.

Zimmerman said the creative process begins with a concept, followed by months of music selection and character development. 

“The characters kept building over time,” she said. “I wanted to give as many kids the opportunity to speak as possible, even though managing 16 microphones was a huge challenge for our sound team.”

The production included more dialogue than ever before: a trend Zimmerman said reflects students’ growing enthusiasm for acting as well as dance. 

“It is a big job to dance, speak, and change costumes in seconds,” she said. “It takes discipline, and the kids love the challenge.”

Zimmerman also served as the acting coach, guiding students as they transitioned rapidly between speaking roles and dance numbers, often with only seconds to change costumes and remove microphones. A coordinated team of parents worked quietly in the wings to keep performers on schedule.

Rehearsals for the recital began in September, with cast members meeting weekly, while music selection, choreography development and dance training took place throughout the year. The production included unique costumes for each dance number, along with elaborate sets and props.

Zimmerman received support for the production from choreographers Maddy Carges, Sienna Zimmermann, Dria Hanson and Corinne Salas, as well as vocal coach Laurel Robbins Goodson. Zimmerman and her husband, Soeren Zimmermann, selected the music cuts and created many of the stage props with help from Bryan Holmes and Dawn Lorey-Holmes.

Lighting was handled by Wyatt Gaylor, Soeren Zimmermann and James Dorant, while Scott Rau and Alex Rau managed sound. Zimmerman singled out Scott Rau for special praise, noting the extensive programming required to manage dialogue and microphones throughout the show.

Jeremy “JT” Taylor served as the energetic emcee for both performances.

One crowd favorite returned for a third year: the dads. This year, 11 fathers took the stage, rehearsing weekly since September. 

“The dads are a must by now,” Zimmerman said. “They worked hard and took it seriously, and the audience loves it.”

Before the recital and during intermission, attendees enjoyed beer, wine and other refreshments, bid in a silent auction, and purchased flowers and Murieta Dance Company merchandise.

At the close of Sunday’s performance, Zimmerman thanked families, volunteers and supporters, emphasizing the yearlong effort behind the production. 

“It takes a whole village,” she told the audience. “The kids work hard all year long, and it really came together again this weekend.”

She also announced next year’s theme: a murder-mystery production inspired by “Clue.”

Zimmerman began teaching dance 13 years ago with 18 students at the Murieta Health Club. Today, the Murieta Plaza studio serves about 120 students, including adults. She said dance offers children far more than technical skills.

“A dancer needs strength, discipline, compassion and the ability to work as a team,” she said. “Dance is so much more than just pointing your toes. It’s hard work that pays off in the long term.”

Reflecting on the growth of the annual recitals, Zimmerman said each year brings higher ambitions and greater polish. 

“We try to top the previous show or at least match it,” she said. “That keeps us on our toes.”

Quoting Indiana Jones, she summed up the message she hoped families and students would take home: “Go big or go home.”