The evening began with a high-octane opening number, giving each professional dancer a moment to shine. Val Chmerkovskiy, Jenna Johnson, Daniella Karagach, Pasha Pashkov, Emma Slater, Alan Bersten, Britt Stewart, Brandon Armstrong, Ezra Sosa and Hailey Bills were greeted with thunderous applause as they were introduced to the audience.

The evening’s piece de resistance was the arrival of Danielle Fishel, beloved for her role as Topanga on Boy Meets World. Fresh off the most recent season of Dancing with the Stars, Fishel is joining the tour as a special guest star for this leg. Between numbers, Slater — pulling double duty as host — chatted with Fishel about her experience on the show, offering fans a glimpse behind the ballroom curtain.

Once the dancing kicked into high gear, the production dazzled with a wide array of styles, including cha-cha, samba, rumba, paso doble, quickstep, jive and Argentine tango. The show’s high production value was immediately apparent. A massive screen behind the dancers transformed the stage into an Italian cafe for “That’s Amore,” a classic Hollywood theater for “Big Time,” and the streets of New York City for “Puttin’ on the Ritz.”

One of this year’s most enjoyable additions was “Pat,” the roaming cameraman, who provided up-close, behind-the-scenes access both onstage and backstage. The feature added an intimate, documentary-style element that elevated the experience and left many hoping for a future streaming special — perhaps akin to the treatment given to “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour.”

LISA SCHROPP/THE EXPRESS Alan Bersten, Emma Slater and Val Chmerkovskiy performed a Broadway-style jazz routine in front of a classic Hollywood theater backdrop.

Among the evening’s standout performances was a contemporary duet by married couple Chmerkovskiy and Johnson to “Wild Is the Wind.” The routine felt deeply personal, almost voyeuristic, as if the audience were witnessing a private moment within their relationship. Although several of the dancers share real-life romantic partnerships, the tour smartly rotated pairings throughout the night, allowing each performer to dance with multiple partners. The result was a palpable sense of camaraderie — an ensemble that truly feels like family.

The production was meticulously directed and choreographed by three-time Emmy Award winner Mandy Moore, whose credits include “La La Land” and “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour.” Her creative vision was evident in every detail, from musical selections to inventive staging.

The soundtrack struck a satisfying balance between classics — “I Want to Be Loved by You,” “When Doves Cry,” and “Copacabana” — and contemporary hits such as “Abracadabra,” “Ordinary,” and “NUEVAYoL.” Particularly memorable were the unexpected arrangements: a breathtaking acoustic version of “Opalite” and a sultry Motown-inspired take on “Hotline Bling,” complete with Chmerkovskiy’s viral knee walk.

Perhaps the most visually striking choreography came during “Berghain,” which incorporated mirrors in a hauntingly creative way. The piece concluded with Pashkov alone onstage, dancing with his reflection to the ethereal “ICARUS” — a poignant and quietly powerful moment.

The show balanced its technical precision with humor and audience engagement. In the playful “DWTS T.E.A. (Technique Enforcement Agency)” segment, the dancers adopted secret-agent personas and invited an audience member onstage as a “new recruit” to help combat crimes against dance, drawing laughter and cheers.

LISA SCHROPP/THE EXPRESS Alan Bersten, Brandon Armstrong, Val Chmerkovskiy, Pasha Pashkov and Ezra Sosa brought Danielle Fishel onstage with them during a dazzling and humorous rendition of “That’s Amore.”

For many, the emotional high point of the night was a back-to-back medley of “Over the Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz and “Defying Gravity” from Wicked. With Sosa at the center, the medley journeyed from longing and hope to empowerment and self-acceptance. Both performances were achingly beautiful and deeply moving.

Throughout the evening, the mutual admiration among the cast was unmistakable. For longtime fans of Dancing with the Stars, this ensemble represents one of the strongest groups of professional dancers in the show’s history.

After the grand finale, the company gathered around Fishel as Slater presented her with flowers and thanked her for joining the tour.

“Honestly, this group is one of the most special groups of people that I’ve had the honor of knowing. Next to my cast on ‘Boy Meets World,’ I’ve never felt more a part of a family in my life,” Fishel said.

That a production of this caliber made a stop in Williamsport speaks volumes about the Journey Bank Community Arts Center’s growing reputation as a destination venue. These performers are among the finest ballroom dancers in the world, and seeing them live was an unforgettable experience.

LISA SCHROPP/THE EXPRESS Pasha Pashkov and Danielle Fishel recreated their tango to "Stronger" during the Dancing with the Stars live tour at the Journey Bank Community Arts Center.

When Dancing with the Stars premiered in 2005, some dismissed it as a novelty. Two decades later, a theater filled with fans of all ages tells a different story. With its extraordinary professional dancers and dynamic celebrity participants, the future of both the television series and its live tour appears brighter than ever — hopefully with a return engagement in Williamsport next year.

— — — —

Lisa Schropp works in classified/legal advertising and is a contributing writer for The Express.

LISA SCHROPP/THE EXPRESS In the playful “DWTS T.E.A. (Technique Enforcement Agency)” segment, the dancers adopted secret-agent personas and invited an audience member onstage as a “new recruit” to help combat crimes against dance, drawing laughter and cheers.

LISA SCHROPP/THE EXPRESS Jenna Johnson, Alan Bersten and Hailey Bills gave a spectacular performance to "Such a Night" by Michael Buble.

LISA SCHROPP/THE EXPRESS Daniella Karagach took a moment to look out at the audience inside the Journey Bank Community Arts Center as the Dancing with the Stars Live tour performed before a sold-out crowd.