DANCE YOUR WAY TO PLAYHOUSE ON PARK

Grab a box of popcorn and a ticket to a marathon of movies as you tap dance your way to Playhouse on Park for a special stop/time dance theater spectacular.  Artistic director Darlene Zoller has pulled out all the stops for a fun and fantastic fantasy “Reel to Real” following a foray into Hollywood and favorite films. Her troupe of energy packed dancers tap their way from “Chicago” Cook County Prison all the way to “The Greatest Showman” in the center ring, until Sunday April 7 and you don’t want to miss all the excitement.

Conceived, directed and choreographed by Darlene Zoller and written by Zoller with Amanda Forker and Tori Mooney, this is a wonderful hopscotch visit to many of Hollywood’s finest films with an emphasis on flair and fashionable costuming, courtesy of Lisa Steir and props provided by Eileen OConnor.  The fancy footwork flows as the troupe of talented footers, Ali Barney, Lisa Caffyn, Lynsey Chartier, Jennifer Checovetes, Beckie Correale, Shannon DelGuidice, Amelia Flater, Rick Fountain, Constance Gobeille, Meredith Longo, Laurie Misenti, Erica O’Keefe, Sheri Righi, Melissa B. Shannon, Alicia Voukides and Courtney

Woods add their talents to the actor/singers Amanda Forker, Rick Fountain and Victoria Mooney to provide a vivacious and victorious evening of entertainment.  And if you love the movies, the way that I do, allthe better!

Starting with the lonely tale of “The Cellophane Man,” from “Chicago,” the movie set morphs with a pause next to Forrest Gump, a visit with Mama Morton for a little “Reciprocity,” a session with the sisterhood for “They Had It Coming” all the way to the trio of witches in “Hocus Pocus.”

Bopping brightly from black leather to sparkly glitter from the twenties, there is a right turn directly into the galaxy for a little out of space drama complete with light sabers, a hint of dinosaurs roaming through Jurassic Park to a hot paced stop in Baltimore for a spritz of “Hair Spray.” 

Next we meet Mary Poppins and Bert, take a spin singin’ in the rain, make a quick tour of “La La Land,” count our blessings at Christmas, swing  into “Moulin Rouge,” experience the “Rhythm of the Night,” and end up lighting up the Big Top in “The Greatest Showman.”

What a marvelous journey and I didn’t name them all.

Time’s a wasting as the show closes on Sunday, April 7.

For tickets ($30-40), call Playhouse on Park,244 Park Road, West Hartford at 860-523-5900, ext. 10 or online at www.playhouseonpark.org. Last chances are tonight at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Mark your calendars now for the gala Playhouse on Park Celebrates 10 Years, a fundraising party on June 15, where the stop/time dance theater will perform.

Let Directors Ron Howard and Steven Spielberg escort you through the back lots of Hollywood’s finest on this rousing tribute to Tinsel Town.