Estelle Reo Dancers Tap Into Local Spirit

The Woman's Club of Paramus has a leg up on the other members of the New Jersey State Federation of Women's Clubs (NJSFWC). The Paramus Club is the only one that has its own resident dance company. "We're unique in that respect," said Lozita Van, program director of the Estelle Reo Dancers (ERD).

The ERD is part of the Club's Music and Drama Department, which was founded in 1945 by Estelle Reo, a professional singer and dancer who performed on Broadway and worked with Johnny Mercer, Hoagey Carmichael and Buddy Rodgers, before moving to Paramus, where she opened her own dance studio. "She was an exquisite little blond beauty," recalls Nick Cestaro, Reo's son-in-law, who attended a recent rehearsal at the Club's Ridgewood Avenue location.  

Specializing in tap and jazz dance, the ERD has eight regular members who range in age from early 40s to mid-80s as well as extras who join in when more performers are needed. They mostly dance, but they also sing and act. The troupe rehearses weekly for much of the year and performs two annual programs at the Club, a holiday event and a spring presentation. They also dance at veteran's homes, nursing homes, and community events.

"I love doing it," said Marie Sullivan, president of the Club. The daughter of a former Rockette, Sullivan has been an ERD member for six years and, along with her fellow dancers, delivered an energetic rehearsal performance of their popular number,  "Sunny Side of the Street"

In a huge triumph last spring, the ERD tapped into Trump Casino in Atlantic City, a gig they landed by winning a performing arts competition held among the state's eight Woman's Club districts. According to Van, most of the clubs in the Federation have a performing arts division, and the competition is held annually. Representing the Palisades District, the ERD took top prize, a chance to perform at the NJSFWC 116^th Annual Convention held last May at the casino.

"That was a wonderful experience," said two-year-member Bonnie Rickenberg who admitted to being "a little nervous" about dancing on the Trump stage. 

The ERD are volunteers with varying levels of dance and performance experience. Some have professional backgrounds in the entertainment industry. Others just love to dance. Kay Cooper, whose stage name is Kay Arnold, has appeared on television in the major soap operas "As the World Turns" and "The Guiding Light," and in stage and film productions. The tall, elegant blonde is also the aunt of actor Tom Arnold. "Performing runs in the family," joked Kay. A member of Actor's Equity and SAG who regularly performs in New York,  she enjoys donating her talents to charity shows with the ERD.

Members who don't have dance background find patient teachers in the ERD.
"We work on choreography and technique with the ones who need training," said Van, who is also a pianist, music teacher and vocal coach. Petite and doll-like, Van trained with Rockette  Jean Martin and famed dance teacher Joseph Diana. She joined ERD eight years ago, but had previously worked with Reo, who passed away in 2003. Today, as chief choreographer of the troupe, Van maintains and teaches many of Reo's original works but also creates new dances of her own.

The members of ERD have treasured memories of their founder. "Estelle taught me to tap," said Anita Bagner, the oldest member of the group, who appeared in Reo's popular scholarship fundraiser shows for the local high school.  "I lasted in this group for over 30 years," Bagner laughed. Today, she serves as the ERD historian, and she co-chairs the Club's Music and Dance Department with Rosalie Valjavec.

"I met Estelle in 1971,"said Valjavec who has been dancing since the age of seven and assists Van with choreography. "Estelle was an inspiration to all of us."   Dawn Feorenzo, an 11-year member of ERD said it was Estelle who drew her into the group. "She was such a sweetheart," noted Feorenzo. "Performing her dances is a way we honor her."

The group's diverse repertory includes the "doll-dance" that Reo had performed on Broadway. An imaginative number that features dolls affixed to the knees of seated dancers, the piece is set to the tune "Oh, You Beautiful Doll," and is a favorite of the dancers who think of Reo when they perform it.  ERD also performs comical numbers, a speciality of Renee Kauffmann, who is acclaimed by her fellow dancers for her humorous role in the "Alvin and the Chipmunks" segment of the troupe's annual holiday show. 

In addition to their rehearsal and performance commitments, the members of ERD also supply some of their own costumes, complete with glittery hats, sparkly accessories, and plenty of pizzazz.  Other parts of the wardrobe, including the costumes for the Nativity scene in the holiday show, are sewn by longtime member Peggy Hickey. "It's fun to do," said Hickey.

The troupe is currently rehearsing for their annual holiday show to be presented Dec. 6 at the Club."It's not Radio City, but we try to do it like that," said Van.  The ERD are also scheduled to perform Dec. 3 in a Performing Arts Day concert at the Woman's Center of Rutherford.