Playhouse on Park, Hartford, CT
through April 7, 2019
by Sharon Smith
What’s more magical than the sense of anticipation that
comes from a darkened movie theater? How about when that movie screen comes to
life and engulfs the audience in the musical sights and sounds of a big
Hollywood dance number? That’s what happens in stop/time dance theater’s Reel
to Real, a loving tribute to American cinema.
This revue is directed and choreographed by POP co-founder
Darlene Zoller, who keeps things moving along with homages to a variety of
styles and genres . stop/time dance theater is POP’s resident dance company,
and it is a pleasant surprise to discover that all the “good parts” of a
musical can hold their own without extraneous things like plot and exposition.
Featuring a troupe of 19 talented dancers, 3 of whom pull
double-duty as actors and singers, there actually is a slight framing device,
built around the dreams of a sleeping movie-goer. Rick Fountain, a talented singer and tapper, starts things
off with the more intimate “Mr. Cellophone” from Chicago and things only get
bolder and brassier from there. Victoria Mooney has a wonderful singing voice, showcased
nicely in “Good Morning Baltimore” and “A Million Dreams.” Amanda Forker stood out with her “When You’re Good to Mama”.
But, this show is really all about the dancing after all and each dancer is given a number or two in which to stand out and shine. There are pieces based on actual movie dance sequences, like “Step in Time”
from Mary Poppins or merely influenced by them, like “Disco Star Wars.” All the
dances, especially the outstanding tap productions, of which there are many, are
delivered with precision style. There really is nothing like the
entertaining power of a well-choreographed ensemble piece as it fills the stage
with color, and movement and energy.
Sprinkled throughout are little theatrical touches like
dinosaurs, droids and a bit of drag (Mrs. Doubtfire). Special mention has to
made of Lisa Steier’s costuming, such as her choice of dress for some of the
numbers, like “The Artist” or the unique leather styling of “Burlesque.”
Reel to Real is an extremely entertaining and well-produced evening
of “show biz razzle dazzle,” that is bound to give even audience members with
two left feet, an excuse to dance away happy.
