TIME STOPS AT STOP/TIME DANCE AT PLAYHOUSE ON PARK

THE STOP/TIME DANCE  COMPANY   PHOTO BY CURT HENDERSON

Whether you measure time in moments, minutes or months, with an alarm clock, a cuckoo clock, a fob watch on a chain, a grandfather clock, an hourglass, a Rolex or Timex, a sundial or bejewelled time piece, you must agree on one thing:  time is precarious and precious.  We all come with an expiration date, one we cannot avoid or out run.  Playhouse on Park in West Hartford is exploring the concept of time passages in a most creative and delightfully energetic way with dance by the stop/time dance theater as it celebrates achieving fifteen years of the playhouse’s resident dance troupe.  Come experience “15."

What was to have been a three day run of a dance program fifteen years ago, is still going strong today.  Until Sunday, March 25, Artistic Director Darlene Zoller will lead her passionate and joy filled “family” of performers in a montage of more than twenty sparkling numbers that swirl around time and a confused creature named Victoria who is searching for the right directions for her life.  Her choices have virtually paralyzed her and she doesn’t know which map or road sign to travel.

Luckily for Victoria, an adventurous Victoria Mooney, she has two helpers Eon, an accommodating Rick Fountain and Millenia, a supportive Amanda Forker, to sing and guide her on her way.  Unfortunately, they aren’t sure themselves. Do they need a GPS or a yellow brick road?

With spirited and enthusiastic dance moves, tap and jazz and nods to popular shows like “Hairspray,” “Funny Girl,” “Damn Yankees,” “West Side Story” and ”Mary Poppins,” this troupe owns the stage.  Come experience the dancing prowess of Meredith Atkinson, Ali Barney, Lisa Caffyn, Lynsey Chartier, Jennifer Checovetes, Beckie Correale, Shannon DelGuidice, Amelia Flater, Constance Gobeille, Erica Misenti, Laurie Misenti, Erica O’Keefe, Spencer Pond, Sheri Righi, Melissa B. Shannon, Alicia Voukides and Courtney Woods, in a bevy of beautiful costumes designed by Lisa Steier, bathed in lighting designed by Aaron Hochheiser, spectacular sound by Lucas Clopton  and lively musical direction by Colin Britt. Darlene Zoller deserves triple credit for conceiving, directing and choreographing this perfect blending of community and audience symmetry.

By day these talented hoofers assume roles as elementary and high school teachers, dance and music instructors, business administrators, physician assistants, physical therapists and parents.  They all devote their tons of energy and enthusiasm to making stop/time dance company a shining example of neighborhood theater at its best.

For tickets ($25-40), call Playhouse on Park, 244 Park Road, West Hartford at 860-523-5900 ext.10 or online at www.PlayhouseOnPark.org. Performances are Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Watch for the next two Comedy Nights ($15) on Saturdays March 31 and May 19 at 8 p.m.

Come learn the life lessons that you need to make the most of every day, remember to live in the moment  and enjoy the time that is allotted you.  Get your jazz hands ready to applaud all this joyous effort of “15.".