Sunday, March 26, 2023

From the Desk of Jim R, Take 2, Column 384, A Review: "Stop Time Dance Machine" (Playhouse on Park)

By James V. Ruocco

It's an explosion of ideas and merriment like no other.
A clever, mesmerizing vision of sound, dance, movement and style between artist, choreographer and dancer, "Stop Time Dance Machine" comes alive through a series of fascinating, invigorating, hand-picked musical numbers that are a delight to watch for fans of musical theatre, dance performance and great - that is, GREAT- choreography.
This is a production that gives audiences a wild dance ride of color and interpretation launched into orbit by dynamo and speed that's stamped with wonder, enchantment, sparkle, nostalgia and dancer-lover's mantra.
It pops.
It stirs.
It glides.
It hops.
It tilts.
It explores.
It excites.
It pays homage to dance influence and technique from the past.
It is dance art that is warm and friendly.
It is pushed to the max with exploratory precision and detail.
It is disciplined, self-layered and toe tapping.
It also comes giftwrapped with a special kind of artist, interpreter and ensemble who blend together as one to create an astonishing work of beauty, harmony and aesthetic.

Conceived, directed and choreographed by Darlene Zoller, this Playhouse on Park production takes its cue from sci-fi, time travel, B-movies of the past that finds its characters misplaced in time prompting mandatory rescue by trained crews of space travelers united for a daredevil mission masked in danger, excitement and surprise.
For plot purposes, "Stop Time Dance Machine" find Zoller zapped into orbit only minutes into her exhilarating, voltage-charged dance odyssey.
Where is she?
Past? Future? A.D? B.C?
Is she gone for good?
Spoiler alert: Hell, no.
Zoller's rescue - led by the very talented Victoria (Tori) Mooney, Rick Fountain and Amanda Forker - prompts a series of song-and-dance numbers featuring the remarkable "Stop Time Dance Machine" dancers, all amped and ready to time travel to places unknown, backed by sexy, spirited, timely, athletic dance movement strategically placed, programmed and readied by DZ herself.
The numbers, in order of performance are: "Veloce," "The Journey Begins," As It Was," "Back in Time," "Five Foot Two," "King of Manhattan," "Ragtime," "In the Good Old Summertime," "By the Sea," "Prehistoric Drum Dance," "Let Me Sing I'm Happy," "Sing, Sing, Sing," "Baby One More Time," "MTV Theme," "Smooth Criminal," "We Are Never Getting Back Together," "Dance Apocalyptic," "In the Mood," "King Swing," "The Twist," "Earth, Wind and Fire Megamix" and "Permission to Dance." 


Zoller, as director, crafts a seasoned, whimsical dance fest that travels through time - 1900s, 1920s, 1940s, 1960s, 1970s, to name a few - with connection, action, homage and melodrama, punctuated by well-timed comic bits, dialogue, one-liners and remembrances, all tallied up through hyper-energetic action, romp and breezy display. It's all in good fun that's highly monitored, quasi-scientific, pacy and flavorful and brought to life in segmented unison, candy-coated exaggeration and "Queen of Outer Space" spill and thrill.

Dance wise, "Stop Time Dance Machine" is spectacular.
The work itself graciously nods to rhythmic, movement, tradition and stylization of the past with steps, pairings, formations and break aways that celebrate each dancer's grace, athleticism, drive and versatility. 
As choreographed by Zoller, everything is punctuated with poise, snap, elegance and dazzle. Bodies gyrate. Shoulders shimmy. Hands clasp. Heads tilt. Toes tap. Dancer's smile. They also fuse into a joyful showcase of dance moves and styles that Zoller addresses with steadfast adrenaline, zing and swing that never once falters.

"Stop Time Dance Machine" stars Victoria (Tori) Mooney, Rick Fountain, Amanda Forker, Meredith Longo, Lisa Caffyn, Courtney Woods, Ali Forman, Erica Misenti, Jennifer Checovetes, Amelia Flater, Shannon L'Heureaux, Lauri Misenti, Sheri Righi, Melissa B. Shannon and Alicia Voukides.
Everyone, individually or working as a group, projects the sheer vigor of dance intoxication through performance effortlessly moving across the Playhouse on Park stage with thrilling pace, seamless musicality, unity of purpose and raw, splayed individuality. 
All of this is amped to perfection by Lisa Steier's colorful, draw-dropping, impeccably designed costumes which lend themselves nicely and imaginatively to the different time travel elements prevalent in the sci-fi story and Zoller's shimmering earthbound choreography.
Upon rescue, Zoller takes the center stage spotlight for a solo turn that is sublime, stand-out, emotional and absolutely flawless. It's a gift she not only shares with her appreciative, ovation-worthy audience but one that comes directly from the heart. 

"Stop Time Dance Machine" is being staged at Playhouse on Park (244 Park Rd, West Hartford, CT), now through April 2, 2023.
For tickets or more information, call (860) 523-5900.


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