Theater Review: “Our Show: The Stop/Time Story Farewell Performance!”

Review by Connecticut Critics Circle membership chair Nancy Sasso Janis

The stop/time dance theater, the resident dance company of Playhouse Theatre Group, Inc., is marking the end of an era with “Our Show: The Stop/Time Story Farewell Performance!” After 20 years, the beloved dance troupe will put a halt to their signature dance productions.

After 22 years in existence, director Darlene Zoller and the members of the group have decided that show number 20 will be their final full-scale production.

They therefore invite their many fans to “come take a trip down memory lane as the company explores their history and projects what the future holds for them.”

During the show, cast members share that the group’s first show was titled “MY SHOW: A Choreographer’s Story.” “Coming full circle, this show recaps some of the highlights of the past shows, which never failed to entertain their devoted audiences.

stop/time productions include singing, many styles of dancing, and a charming, and in this case, bittersweet storyline.

The final production was conceived, directed and impressively choreographed by Darlene Zoller, with Melanie Guerin in charge of all things musical. The choreography shines in this last hurrah and the dancers carry it off without missing a beat.

The first act highlights are a Fosse medley, “Better When I’m Dancing,” “Smooth Criminal,” and “The Music and The Mirror.” The second act includes the popular “Lady Marmalade,” the fashion show for “Vogue,” “This is Me” and “You Can’t Stop the Beat” from “Hairspray.”

Zoller compares this year’s journey to the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance.

The supremely talented cast includes Lisa Caffyn, Jen Checovetes, Beckie COrreale, Amanda Forker, Ali Forman, Hillary Katherine, Shannon L.Heureux, Meredith Longo, Connie Gobeille, Laurie Misenti, Tori Mooney, Erica O’Keefe, Melissa Shannon, Sheri Righi, Amelia Touros, Alicia Voukides, Courtney Woods, as well as the director/choreographer and the wonderfully talented Rick Fountain. Every person in the cast has a head shot and biography displayed in the lobby.

Forker, Fountain and Victoria “Tori” Mooney once again handle the vast majority of the singing in the show, but the trio also gets to show off some of their dance ability.

Zoller conducts the question and answer part of the program, during which we learned that “Pippin” is one of her favorite Broadway shows.

The scenic design by Johann Fitzpatrick features five working doors, sometimes colorfully lit, and two ladders that lean against the posts at the front of the low stage. The point is that it offers plenty of room for the dancers to dance for the audience members on three sides of the stage.

Costume designer Lisa Steier managed to outdo herself for this grand finale, pulling out some of the ensembles included throughout the years. While the signature colors of the troupe are red, white and black, this show includes every color of the rainbow, many of them sparkly. It is amazing how many changes the entire group of dancers and the featured vocalists successfully navigate throughout the two acts. The projections designed by Sam Skynner added a lovely touch, featuring personal photos of the dancers.

As an audience member, I felt included in the joy and the tears of this farewell production. Performances of the farewell production continue at Playhouse on Park in West Hartford through Feb. 9. Tickets at playhouseonpark.org.