Mitchelle Stephenson — For The Capital Vicki Smith, right, directs the choreography of a dance performed by the South County Showstoppers. The showstoppers, whose reflections are seen in the mirror behind Vicki, rehearse once a week at the South County Senior Center and perform several times a month at events around the county.
By MITCHELLE STEPHENSON, For The Capital
The South County Showstoppers are a group of about 30 senior citizen dancers and performers who travel Anne Arundel and Queen Anne's counties to perform at a variety of venues.
Way back in 1992, a number of women at the senior center began taking tap dancing lessons with Bobbi Smith, a local choreographer and show director known widely for her Talent Machine Company. The lessons were mostly for fun and exercise. When Bobbi passed away in 2001, her sister Vicki took over the lessons and got to know a number of the regulars from the center.
A few years later, while putting on their annual talent show at the Edgewater center, the idea for a traveling company blossomed.
They perform several times a month at places like Ginger Cove, the Elks Club, other area senior centers, nursing homes, the annual Relay for Life event and more.
Right now, the group is fully booked through the end of May, and have performances scheduled through the end of the year. "At Christmas time, we have to turn away offers," Vicki said.
They don't charge a fee to perform, but accept donations, which they put right back into the show - utilizing donated funds to acquire new costumes and props.
"We do it as a labor of love," Vicki said.
They all have special talents, and the show they produce is like an old-time variety hour. There are line dances, belly dance numbers, and tap routines. In addition, they showcase vocalists, musicians, clowns and comedians.
Many of the women come from a lifetime of performing, while others are relatively new to it, or have returned to it since being in retirement.
Sara Fargale is a vocalist and dancer. She has a history of performing.
"I did all kinds of things - I danced at the Poconos with my granddaughter," she said. A few years back, she acted on the ABC drama "The West Wing" a half-dozen times.
Two other women, Marylou Brown and Gene Way, like to say that they performed at Harlem's famous Apollo Theater because they got to go up on stage while they were on a tour there. As they review their schedule and talk about upcoming shows, there is a lot of laughter and humor amongst the women.
The oldest is 86, but they like to say that as a group they are, "over 55 and under 100."
"Age has no boundaries here. They're very spunky," Vicki said.
Ruth McDonald is a member of the company who performs in several numbers. "I'm in the line dance group, ballroom and tap," she said.
The members come from all over. They have a fiddle player from Clinton, as well as dancers from Friendship, Davidsonville and Harwood. Some are from Annapolis, and one comes over from Kent Island.
"We are like a family," said Helen Sharps, a member of the company.
The company is performing at the Heartland Assisted Living Center in Severna Park on Wednesday and at the Annapolis Senior Center April 18. Of course they'll be performing at the annual South County Senior Center Talent Show later this spring. There is a small admission fee for the senior center performance, but they donate all of the money they collect from that performance to the Hospice of the Chesapeake and the Bobbi Smith Memorial Scholarship Fund.
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