'Bella Vista -- The Musical' coming in April

February 14, 2018 at 6:56 a.m.

by Lynn Atkins

Lynn Atkins/The Weekly Vista The Sophisticated Ladies, a dance group, is planning its first show since 2013. The script of "Bella Vista -- The Musical" was written by members of the company. The dancers are Deb Fullerton (front, left), Helen Bladon, Ann Albitz, Kathy Fidler, Ceata Oberhofer (row two, left), Diane Turner, Donna Vetter, Phyllis Selvia, Pam Benson, Hope Allen, Karen Myers (back, left), Rosalie Dragland, Gail Hobson, Ellen Creakbaum, Pat Walker and director Carol Roller.
Lynn Atkins/The Weekly Vista The Sophisticated Ladies, a dance group, is planning its first show since 2013. The script of "Bella Vista -- The Musical" was written by members of the company. The dancers are Deb Fullerton (front, left), Helen Bladon, Ann Albitz, Kathy Fidler, Ceata Oberhofer (row two, left), Diane Turner, Donna Vetter, Phyllis Selvia, Pam Benson, Hope Allen, Karen Myers (back, left), Rosalie Dragland, Gail Hobson, Ellen Creakbaum, Pat Walker and director Carol Roller.

It's been four years since the dance group, The Sophisticated Ladies, has done a show in Bella Vista, but the dancers believe this show was worth the wait.

There are 17 Sophisticated Ladies in the performing group, and all of them will perform in both the opening and the finale. The rest of the program will showcase small groups of dancers. In addition, the intermediate class may have a dance or two. Most of the dances are either tap or jazz.

Members of the group wrote the script that ties together dance numbers set to popular music from a variety of genres. They will also narrate the script that tells the story of "Bella Vista, the Musical."

Their focus is on some of the entities that have defined Bella Vista.

"We had a good time," Pam Benson, one of the writers said.

As the narrators describe the frustrations of the POA administrators, the dancers perform to "Can't Get No Satisfaction." They dance with golf clubs, kayak paddles, walking sticks and tennis rackets in another number.

The narrators talk about the new trail system and the dancers file out to "Ease on Down the Road."

When the topic is the fire department, the song is "Great Balls of Fire."

The dancers even include a tribute to the other dance groups that use Riordan Hall with a clogging number for the "Hoot and Holler Cloggers" and a line dance for the "Walk the Line" group.

"It's going to be hilarious," Benson said. Their costumes will match the topic, she said.

All the dancers are over 60 and, while there are few former dance teachers in the group, some of the others didn't learn to dance until they retired. There are beginner and intermediate classes available through the group.

For the first time, the Sophisticated Ladies are soliciting sponsors for the show. Once the expenses are paid, the remaining funds will go to charity, leader Carole Roller said.

There are two shows scheduled: at 6 p.m. on April 6 and at 2 p.m. on April 7. Admission is $7 and tickets will be on sale before the show at Riordan Hall and from any of the dancers.

General News on 02/14/2018