A guy who is used to making others sparkle was shining on stage at Curtain Call's sixth annual Dancing With The Stars fundraiser held at The Palace Theatre in Stamford, Saturday night, May 18. The crowd at this annual fundraiser for Stamford's longest-running and only year 'round nonprofit producing theatre company was on its feet several other times during the night, but especially when Nagi Osta, owner of Nagi Jewelry in Stamford, received THE PEOPLES' CHOICE AWARD for raising the most money at this incredibly entertaining event. Osta's dancing was terrific as well and his partner, Rosa Fanelli of Arthur Murray Grande Ballroom of Greenwich made him shine like the diamonds he sells! The audience of nearly 800 were very vocal in their appreciation as the 11 civic leaders (paired with dance professionals) completed their routines at this fun-filled fundraiser. Nicole Faugno from Noble Salon, partnered with professional dancer David Thomas Moore of Dance With Me Stamford received The JUDGES' CHOICE AWARD (female) for their routine while local veterinarian, Dr. Nolan Zeide of Bull's Head Pet Hospital (partnered with professional dancer Meredith Landphair of Dance With Me Stamford) received the JUDGES' CHOICE AWARD (male). Also recognized for her amazing efforts at fundraising for this event was Stamford resident and producer of the All School Musical, Nancy Freedman who received the FRIENDRAISER AWARD. Freedman was partnered with professional dancer Moises Guerrero of Arthur Murray Grande Ballroom of Greenwich. "In these incredibly challenging economic times, it was overwhelming to see the support of our community for this event," said Lou Ursone, Curtain Call's Executive Director. "With so many arts organizations around the country in bankruptcy or closing for good, we know how very fortunate we are to keep our lights burning," he said. "It's a very scary time for all nonprofit organizations. This dancing event will certainly help us close our books in the black for this fiscal year," Ursone noted. The organization raised more than $135,000 through this event. Others who participated as dancers in this event were: John J. Hickey, III - Richard's of Greenwich - Professional Dance Partner: Christine Georgopulo – Arthur Murray Grande Ballroom of Greenwich; Kevin Leville CEO, Eat Right America - Professional Dance Partner: Collin Klaene - Dance With Me, Stamford; Donna Ormond - Valerie Wilson Travel - Professional Dance Partner: Lou Lopez - Latin Moves Dance Studio; Fran Pastore - President & CEO, WBDC, Inc. - Professional Dance Partner: Thomas Varian - Arthur Murray Grande Ballroom of Greenwich; Andrew Rowley - Head of Communications & Marketing, RBS GBM, Americas - Professional Dance Partner: Kelly Butler - Arthur Murray Grande Ballroom of Greenwich; Cari Shapiro - Group Vice President, Ross Stores - Professional Dance Partner: Ronny Dutra - Dance With Me, Stamford; Jill Tomasello - Director, Advanced Physical Therapy Center - Professional Dance Partner: with Ivan Angelkovski - Dance With Me, Stamford; Hosting the event for the first time was Greenwich resident and ABC-TV Senior Meteorologist, Bill Evans who served as a judge at prior year events. Judges were Broadway veteran Brian Michael Hoffman, profession actor/dancer/choreographer and a past professional dancer participant at this event, Sarah Lee Michaels; and Maureen Pavia (also a prior professional dancer at these events), Connecticut Site Director for Dancing Classrooms. Co-chairs of the event for Curtain Call were Julia Frisoli of New Canaan and Jami Sherwood of Stamford, both Curtain Call Board Members and volunteer Star Dancers from their 2008 Dancing With The Stars event. Sherwood said "Dancing that first year was such an incredible experience...I never thought I would have so much fun doing it - that it makes getting each year's line-up of volunteer Star Dancers very easy now." Frisoli noted that "Every one of our volunteer dancers, amateur and professional alike, were completely committed to this event and that made our jobs so much easier." The event committee, in addition to Frisoli and Sherwood included: Diane Arditti, Bob Callahan, Lynne Colatrella, Richard H. Levitt, Betsy Mercede, Lori Mercede, Tom Ormond, Robin Selden, Janet Ursone and Lou Ursone. In addition to the hundreds of volunteer hours committed by all of the event's dancers, many local businesses and individuals added to the evening's success either by contributing products and/or donating time to the event. A wide array of food and beverage for the pre-show reception held at UConn Stamford were provided by Boulevard 18 Bistro & Wine Bar, Broken Shed Vodka, The Capital Grille, Columbus Park Trattoria, Crystal Rock LLC, David's Soundview Catering, DiMare Pastry Shop, Forever Sweet Bakery, Heineken, Marcia Selden Catering & Event Planning, Myrna's Kitchen, Napa and Co., Strada 18 Apizza e vino, Sushi Village, Sweet Lisa's Exquisite Cakes and W.J. Deutsch & Son, LTD. "A major part of this event is the video component which included behind the scenes rehearsal footage as well as live feeds throughout the evening," Ursone said. Richard Levitt, President of RHL Communications and James Daniel Video Services made all of that possible. Other key sponsors for the event were Julia Frisoli, Magna Construction, Rasht & Rashti and RBS. Additionally, Bob Callahan Design, Fotosbyfailla.com, Moffly Media, Noble Salon, and RHL Communications all contributed in-kind services to this spectacular event. "We hope to make next year's event even bigger." Ursone said, noting that many civic leaders have already come forth volunteering to participate. "I cant wait to see next year's line-up of Star Dancers," he added. Curtain Call is the nonprofit, professionally-run, community-based theatre company in residence at The Sterling Farms Theatre Complex, 1349 Newfield Avenue in Stamford. Year-round productions and educational workshops are presented by and for area residents in The Kweskin Theatre and The Dressing Room Theatre. Curtain Call has been voted Fairfield County’s BEST LOCAL THEATRE GROUP 2005 through 2013 in the Annual Readers’ Poll of The Fairfield County Weekly as well as BEST LOCAL THEATRE by StamfordPlus magazine for the past five years and as BEST VENUE by Stamford Magazine readers.. Curtain Call also received The Governor’s Award for Excellence in Culture and Tourism for 2011 and, in a recent Facebook poll, was noted as the most popular theatre in Connecticut and second most favorite attraction in the state.. For more information about upcoming performances. educational workshops or other special events, call 203-329-8207 or go curtaincallinc.com.
