By BOBBIE GREEN
The Progress
The Mesquite Toes Dance Troup “Shined” again last weekend with two packed-house performances at the Mesquite Community Theater.
The Toes’ semi-annual Spectacular is always entertaining. Twenty-five different numbers one the program brought added variety and highlighted some great new performers.
The Jessen Family Singers, a trio of mother and two daughters, charmed the audience with their singing and style. There rendition of “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” and “Pink Shoe Laces” will live in our heads for a while.
The Rhythm Dance Co. brought kindergarten and 1st graders to delight the audience. This group received the loudest applause.
The new Silver and Wood Flute Choir added a new dimension and savor to the program.
The Toes dazzled as usual in all their routines and wonderful costumes.
“They are awesome!” said attendee Iris Mayer. “I admire them, but I won’t join them. Someone has to stay in the audience and appreciate them.”
The specialty number American Kids drew noticeable attention from the audience.
John Norwig and Marcia Swider exhibition dancers did a pleasing Samba and a Cha Cha.
Tap Your Troubles Away by the Diamonds & Rubies Tap Teams was a real audience pleaser.
Suzie White returned to give the audience some of her wit & wisdom and laughter.
The Life Long Dancers from the Mesquite Rec. Center made a crowd-pleasing appearance with “That’s My Style.”
Linda Villanueva once again captivated the audience with her always outrageous pantomimes. Streisand would have been proud.
Pericles Rellas, the man who fills in to allow for costume changes, provided loveable humor that is a staple of the show. This year we found out why. His mother Claudett Rellas was an original Toes dancer for many years. When she could no longer dance, she took over as the emcee for many years. When she finally retired, her son Pericles took over.
Claudett was celebrating her 90th birthday. As a surprise, she was brought on stage and honored for her service to the Toes Dance Troupe and given flowers and a plaque that will be placed on a theater seat in her honor.
The Mesquite Toes Dance Troupe puts on two Spectaculars a year. The next one will be the December Christmas Show, December 6 and 7.
