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CHAMPION -- As local dance studios prepare for their spring and summer recitals, performances by the Trumbull Senior Production Company reminded attendees at their show, "Broadway Rhythm," that they too, can still dance. And sing. And play instruments. And clown around.
On Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon at Champion High School, the company provided two acts of musical entertainment.
Created 14 years ago by president and director Jason C. Burgermyer, he appeared throughout the night as a dancer in various numbers and a singer with the inaugural performance of the band Crazy Sox. The band consisted of Burgermyer and Renee Johntony (vocals), Gene Seifert (acoustic guitar), Loris Rolfe (keyboard), Keith Beck (electric guitar and acoustic guitar), Ricky Jeren (bass guitar) and Joe Pushcar (drums).
During Crazy Sox's performance of The Monkees classic, "I'm A Believer," two members of the company threw out crazy printed socks to the audience.
Burgermyer said when he was putting the show together, dancer and yoga instructor Roe Ragozine, of Girard, said she wanted to perform a piece dedicated to her husband, Rich. They discovered the song, "My Wife, the Dancer," a number recorded by Englebert Humperdinck.
Saturday night, Ragozine danced to the recording while her husband sat in a chair in the center aisle watching her perform and holding flowers that he gave to her after its completion.
The performances had a little razzle dazzle like a Broadway show. During the song "Richman's Frug," the starlight dancers' white fedoras glowed in the dark while they performed and the lights were turned off.
Joe Sullivan, of Boardman, had a piece in the first act and then returned for the second act as Jocko the Clown. It is a character that has made children and adults laugh for 50 years.
Lana VanAuker, of Canfield, performed a solo flamenco dance to "Espana Gypsy Dance" with a colorful outfit of scarves and a printed skirt that she twirled around in time to the music.
Wearing a beautiful blue and white gown, singer Doreen Rodgers brought Cinderella to life with her vocals as she sang "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes." Lily James sang the song in 2015's Cinderella.
Members of Crazy Sox got involved with the show other than with their musical pieces. Pushcar played drums while the curtains were closed to entertain the audience while the performers were getting in their places for the next number.
The 28 numbers performed by more than three dozen seniors included music from multiple eras and styles such as Dolly Parton's "Rain," David Cassidy's "I Think I Love You," and Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline," which became a sing-along with the audience.
The mission statement of Trumbull Senior Production Company "is to enrich the lives and health of people aged 50 and over through performances and participation in annual musical productions including all aspects of the performing arts, while striving for professionalism."
Based on the smiles on the performers' faces and the reaction of the audience, both groups' lives were enriched.