It is understandable that dancers who have to endure these restrictions, which make the dances look stilted in comparison with the way they are performed outside the competitive milieu, would relish the chance to abandon them. And it is understandable that young dancers would seek to affiliate themselves with a rock or techno look of their own time, rather than with the understated wit and gentility that are Astaire's theatrical legacy. Its choreographic architecture is, in fact, rather conservative. Still, the audience is not meant to focus on choreographic detail, but rather on the dancers' motivating energy. The strength of the show is the energy and chemistry of the couples.
High energy is a very big message here, because it's so real.
In this show, they've learned that energy can be transferred off stage to an audience, who will send it back to you.