danceSpirit continues its 'jazzy' tradition

From "Ebeneezer Scrooge" to "The Nutcracker Ballet" and this year "The Christmas Angel," the talents and energy of danceSpirit performers bring fun and entertainment to the stage of the Carson City Community Center.

This year's feature is "The Christmas Angel " All Jazz'd Up!"

Set to the music of Mannheim Steamroller, the story is generated around a treasured holiday angel stolen by an evil gargon and rescued by animated toys and the town's young mother.

The cast of 58 will perform ballet, jazz and hip hop, and range in age from 4 to 64.

"We have no tap numbers this year," said Darin Tedford, president of the danceSpirit non-profit group and who performs as a villager in the show.

Artistic Director Sandi Scheer is in charge of choreography.

"Sandi stumbled across the concept of the show from the music of Mannheim Steamroller as a project," Tedford said. "Assisting with the choreography is Staci Dunlap, Robin Kato and Kathleen Barton.

"That's our studio," Tedford said of their varied productions. "It's different. The owners " Susie and Andy Owens " are separate from everyone else.

"The theory of the studio has always been anyone who wants to dance, any age, shape, size, whatever, to come and dance. It's just more entertaining.

"And this is more fun with the Mannheim Steamroller music. Everybody recognizes their Christmas music."

Tedford said the show has its good and bad characters, and the toys " teddy bear, puppeteer, ballerina, cat, jester and a soldier who is leader of the toys and a couple of rag dolls.

"The toys are all dancers," he said. "They start out looking inanimate, then come to life. And they all come together to help the young mother."

- Contact Rhonda Costa at rcosta@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.