Photos: Darrin Zammit Lupi

A story of hope, brought to life with a flurry of colours and dance, is set to charm American audiences in January.

The Maltese dance group Yada is gearing up to premiere a dance show at the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre in San Francisco, but before it heads to American shores, Dance Rush is being previewed in Malta.

The show debuted at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta over the weekend.

Dance Rush is part of the company’s extended 25th anniversary, directed and choreographed by Yada co-founder Felix Busuttil.

This unprecedented tour started in Malta on Friday and will head to San Francisco at the beginning of next year.

The 37 dancers and 15 technical and artistic crew members will perform in nine major US cities including Chicago, Boston and New York, and will continue to tour in Europe, Asia and Australia.

Dance Rush tells the story of a 12-year orphan who dreams of meeting his parents who have taken separate routes.

For years, Evan wanders alone, knowing deep down that one day he will find his way home.

A born dancer and choreographer, he believes that seven made-up characters impersonating the seven musical notes will help transport him to his parents.

And in the end, it is the symphonies and compositions that lure the parents back to their beloved son.

The music score varies from classical pieces by Vivaldi, Bach and Shostakovich, operatic highlights from Madame Butterfly, La Traviata and Carmen, contemporary hits by Jennifer Lopez, Michael Bublé and live singing by Chiara.

It includes soundtracks from August Rush and original compositions from Etnika, Dominic Galea, Red Electrick and DJ Ruby.

Designers Charles and Ron have created some 600 glamorous costumes for the cast and Peter Howitt will take care of visual effects.

Dance Rush’s last performance in Malta will be staged on Sunday.