SPHERE of Stars will be out of this world on Sunday at The Ridgefield Playhouse
When the community joins forces to perform on the Playhouse stage alongside members of SPHERE, anything is possible! SPHERE of Stars represents all that beautiful about life in Ridgefield, Connecticut.
On Sunday, February 9th at 7 pm at Ridgefield Playhouse, works will be performed by SPHERE members and Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance (RCD) students, including pieces choreographed by Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance Executive Director, Amy Piantaggini, Kathryn Malwitz, RCD board and faculty member, and several RCD dancers.
“So many important collaborators in our community are coming out to support SPHERE by sharing the stage with them, including Joyride, Fit Club, Train 2 Excel, Bach to Rock, Ridgefield Chorale, Ridgefield High School Chamber Orchestra, RVNAhealth, Special Olympics Ridgefield, says Piantaggini.
You can support SPHERE by purchasing tickets here. Raffle tickets will be available for purchase at the show, and donations are always welcome for those who want to support but cannot attend.
SPHERE of Stars Highlights
A Tribute to Fairfield County Bank - Cabaret’s Money
Isabella Eckardt, a senior at Ridgefield High School, has created a dance recognizing Fairfield County Bank for their support over the years. The ensemble features SPHERE dancers Tessa O’Connor, Jocelyn Steele, and Meleigha Wolff with representatives from Fairfield County Bank Dan Berta, Susan Bogursky, Marcie Coffin, Caitlin Granucci, and Stephen Wooters. The number? Cabaret’s Money of course! Isabella joins SPHERE and FCB for the performance, and makes SPHERE a weekly priority in her very busy schedule.
Gratitude to Ridgefield Thrift Shop
Volunteers from Ridgefield Thrift Shop, honored for their many contributions over the years, will make an appearance in a hip hop dance choreographed by Ridgefield High School senior Nell Walton, inspired by and set to Mackelmore’s Thrift Shop with SPHERE members Peter Bradeen, Tessa O’Connor, Jocelyn Steele, and Chris Walsh.
Ridgefield Playhouse Executive Director, Allison Stockel makes her singing debut alongside ACT of Connecticut’s Artistic Director Daniel C. Levine, Resident Music Director Bryan Perri
South Salem’s Jamie Ellin and Ridgefield’s Alexa Tschudy dance with SPHERE members Amanda Grose and Zachary Sorena in a live celebration of theater with ACT of Connecticut’s Artistic Director Daniel C. Levine (vocals) and Resident Music Director Bryan Perri (piano) with Ridgefield Playhouse’s Executive Director Allison Stockel (vocals). This marks Allison’s singing debut!
The Beautiful Union: Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance and SPHERE
Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance (RCD) began working with SPHERE in 2016, when a Cathy Savoca, mother of then-RCD dancer Jillian Savoca, made the introduction between Kim Pereira, Director of Music & Performing Arts for SPHERE, and RCD Director Amy Piantaggini.
A contemporary piece by Piantaggini set to an orchestrated version of Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes” was the first piece they performed together in honor of RCD’s annual Spring Concert. “The SPHERE dancers have become such a beloved part of our annual concert, I couldn’t imagine doing it without them!” says Piantaggini.
Since that first show in 2016, SPHERE members have performed additional works by Piantaggini, RCD’s Ballet Master Alexander Glaz, enjoyed hip hop classes with RCD faculty members, and most currently, are working on pieces for their upcoming community celebration!
Jillian Savoca, who was the 2019 SPHERE scholarship recipient, was RCD’s first volunteer dancer, joining Amy Piantaggini every other week teaching dance to SPHERE members during their regular Thursday performing arts sessions. What has grown from those first relationships is a beautiful collaboration, where over twenty dancers have given their time to dancing with SPHERE. “Our students recognize the privilege it is to be a part of the SPHERE community,” says Amy Piantaggini.
"I couldn't have imagined how important Amy and the dancers from the Conservatory would become to SPHERE. This relationship takes community partners to a new level. We are very grateful for their love and commitment to our members." says Lori Berisford, SPHERE President and Chairman of the Board.
Piantaggini is overjoyed by her RCD students who lovingly and willingly give their time and talent for the betterment of the community and SPHERE. “I’m thrilled to have so many kids who have found joy in working with this organization. Lily Blanton, Isabella Eckardt, Jamie Ellin, Grace Mango, Alexa Tschudy, and Abigail Stobin have given so much of their time weekly,” she explains. “For the SPHERE of Stars performance, I even roped in some very young ones, grades 3-5, to perform to Queen’s Bicycle alongside joyride volunteers, older RCD dancers, and SPHERE members, because what’s better than a Freddy Mercury impersonator? THREE Freddy Mercuries! Martin Flanagan, Finlay Geaney, and Mateo Soni will delight audiences, just as they have done in our annual Nutcracker!”
You can learn more about SPHERE here and RCD, Northern Fairfield County’s nonprofit dance school here
Tickets are available for SPHERE of Stars here