Strauss Festival dancers begin rehearsals for July show

By Mary Lewis
Elk Grove Citizen Staff Writer - Although the Strauss Festival of Elk Grove’s annual show is four months away, dancers have been lined up and rehearsals have begun in earnest.
The Strauss board of directors hosted an orientation night for the cast Feb. 27, during which time directors, dancers and staff were able to meet each other. Also on hand, as they are at just about every Strauss function, were Festival founders Iris and Arnie Zimbelman.
“Seasons of the Heart” is the title for this year’s show. It begins on an early spring afternoon when a rowboat docks at a tranquil island. Coming to the water’s edge are two ladies, one content and the other intent upon a match between her friend and the rowing gentleman. Introductions are made, and friends gather for a waltz.
Summer, and the couple fall in love, ending with a proposal of marriage. Autumn, and wedding vows are exchanged.
Winter is the climax to the romance with the signature Blue Danube waltz, always a favorite with festivalgoers.
This year’s waltz troupe consists of 24 dancers, nine of whom are new. There are 12 in the polka troupe including three new ones.
At the orientation, director Trayce Meany passed out rehearsal schedules, emphasizing that “even though we are all volunteers, we are considered a professional production with international appeal. Therefore, we need to be in that frame of mind, our behavior needs to reflect that.”  

She again cited the need for rehearsal space, noting that schools are not as available as they have been in the past. And rehearsals cannot move to Strauss Island until May.
The public will be able to catch a glimpse of the dancers at a fundraiser, the annual Preview Night scheduled for Friday, June 23 at the Laguna Town Hall.

On this year’s production team along with Meany are producer Kass Bergmann, technical advisor David Link, choreographers Stan and Popi Rizzi-Dunn, Sheryl Draper, John Matthews, Jonathan Thurston and Meany, stage manager Jayson Smith, set construction Allard Parfitt, set decoration Ray Bayles, costume coordinator Frieda McKaughan, seamstresses Kirsti Cripe-Rauser, Susan Link, Leilani Love, McKaughan and Meany, and secretary Amira Judeh.
Volunteers are always welcome, and should call the Strauss message line at 714-2527.