Followers of Winter Park Playhouse already know that Roy Alan can act, direct, produce, is a terrific comedian, and can dance – but now we learn that he REALLY dance, not only tap but ballroom dancing! His moves in Let’s Face the Music – A Tribute to Fred Astaire, are nothing short of amazing. What a show! The performers in this musical are awesome, from the talented Roy Alan to the spectacular performances of two gifted teen actors, Stephanie Aardema, age 14, and Cameron Bartell, age 15. Wow! They will definitely go far in the entertainment business.

A backdrop of video showed old pictures and posters, adding to the enjoyment of the show. Let’s Face the Music – A Tribute to Fred Astaire was written and produced by Alan, based on “Fred Astaire: A Bio-Bibliography” by Larry Billman and original choreography by Fred Astaire and Hermes Pan. Alan said he wanted to capture the essence of the long and outstanding career of Fred Astaire, from little known facts of his childhood, to his record-breaking performances on stage and in the movies. The story progresses from his brother and sister act in Vaudeville with sister Adele, to Fred’s remarkable performances (40 movies in all) in such musicals as The Gay Divorcee; Damsel in Distress; Blue Skies and Follow the Fleet just to name a few.

The story is told in song, dance and narrations from sister Adele. The part of the adult Adele (narrator) was extremely well-performed by Laura Ann Hodos. Her facial expressions, mannerisms and impeccable performance was mesmerizing. After sister Adele got married to an English aristocrat, (she was then known as Lady Adele Astaire Cavendish) Fred kept dancing and went on to stardom. The narrative bounces back and forth between this brother and sister act in Vaudeville to Astaire’s successful movies with Ginger Rogers and other stars. Adele in her younger years is played by Stephanie Aardema and Fred, as a boy, is played by Cameron Bartell.

“The Whichness of the Whatness,” which featured the young Fred and Adele was particularly outstanding. Bartell and Aardema were also outstanding the the “Funny Face Medley.” Other outstanding numbers were “Never Gonna Dance,” by Alan as Fred Astaire; “Pick Yourself Up” by Fred (Alan0 and Ginger Rogers (Heather-Dawn Sipler); and “Begin the Beguine” by Lady Adele (Laura Ann Hodos). The band consists of Jason Wetzel on piano (also musical director); Elliott May, bass and Larry Byington, percussion. The narrative staging was done by Playhouse veteran Michael Edwards

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