Clinton County Dancing with the Stars set to shine

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WILMINGTON — The curtain will soon part and the stars will appear.

CMH Regional Health System presents Murphy Theatre’s Dancing with the Stars will take the stage on Saturday, Sept. 23 at 7:30 p.m. with local stars and professional dancers performing to “Music from the Movies.”

Directed by Timothy Larrick and emceed by Randy Riley, the show will feature 10 local community stars dancing with their professional partners from the Wilmington Performing Arts Center.

Led by show choreographer Cole Haugh, professional dancers Ami Gallagher-Filip and Cassie Smith have been rehearsing with their star partners throughout the summer.

“We developed the dances with each star in mind, taking into account their personality and the feeling we get from that person,” said Haugh. “A few numbers changed multiple times before we settled on the thing that fit them the best.”

“Dancing with the Stars is my favorite event at the Murphy,” he added. “I love it. It’s a community performance. The audience is not necessarily there to be entertained. They are there to fully support the people on the stage.”

Final wardrobe fittings have been underway this week with Wardrobe Mistress Diane Murphy.

“The music definitely inspired the costumes,” said Murphy. “But we have some tricks up our sleeve that the audience will love.”

With the cast and crew tight-lipped about the actual songs to be performed, the audience is sure to be surprised on many fronts.

The event is almost sold out; some balcony seats are available at $15 each.

Audience members will also be able to donate/vote after each performance, so if you are attending be sure to bring cash to share with the “bucket brigade” that will be collecting donations after each performance.

Three awards will be presented on Saturday: the Trophy of Champions, awarded to the star who received the most votes (in the form of monetary donations); the Judges’ Choice (based on scores awarded by the judges); and the Audience Favorite (selected via audience response).

Can’t attend but want to participate? The polls are open. Voting for your favorite star can be done online at www.themurphytheatre.org, over the phone at 937-382-3643, or a check can be mailed to the Murphy Theatre at 50 W. Main St., Wilmington, Ohio, 45177. Be sure to include the name of the person you are voting for on the memo line of the check.

Shining stars

Here are this year’s stars/contestants and a few snippets of questions/answers from their bios:

FADI AL-GHAWI, Facility Manager, Ahresty Wilmington Corporation

Initial reaction when asked to dance? “Thrilled and honored.”

Dancing experience? “The Lebanese National Dancing (DebKah) until I enrolled in college. Since then it was the music of the ’70s and the ’80s such as Beatles, Eagles, Pink Floyd, Duran Duran to name few.”

Favorite thing about Clinton County? “It is my second home after I immigrated from Beirut, Lebanon to seek my college education. I love the community, the people, the college, the rural setting and all the friends that I made over the years.”

Who would play you in the film of your life? “No one could but me! But maybe the late Omar Sharif.”

JODY AMES, Dentist

Initial reaction when asked to dance? “My initial reaction was ‘hmmm.’ And some fear.”

Dancing experience? “The Electric Slide!”

Favorite thing about Clinton County? “How everyone is proud of their communities and being able to walk into stores and see people you have known for a long time.”

Who would play you in the film of your life? “Will Ferrell.”

JACOB DeHART, Vice President and Controller, Wilmington Savings Bank

Initial reaction when asked to dance? “I was very surprised and flattered to be asked to participate and support such an amazing, historic venue.”

Dancing experience? “None, other than wedding receptions.”

Favorite thing about Clinton County? “I love how friendly everyone is. It has a true small-town feel and I enjoy seeing bank clients around town. Another personal favorite of mine are Taco Tuesdays at Wilmington College during the school year. The Bank CFO and I never miss.”

Who would play you in the film of your life? “Chevy Chase. I love Caddyshack and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. I am a lifetime subscriber to the Jelly of the Month Club.”

BRENDA ELMORE, Director of Supply Chain, Alkermes

Initial reaction when asked to dance? “Thrilled! As a dance choreographer and coach for 34 years, it gives me a chance to dance versus instructing. I am excited to be taught and have the opportunity to perform again.”

Dancing experience? “I have been dancing since age 2. I have 34 years of coaching and choreographing competitive dance with over 40 national champion teams. I’ve choreographed the opening of the Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade three times, and my teams have performed at halftime of the Sugar Bowl, Orange Bowl and Liberty Bowl.”

Favorite thing about Clinton County? “Alkermes and the people I work with who are residents of the area.”

Who would play you in the film of your life? “Julia Roberts.”

JIM GRAHAM, Retired Pastor representing the residents of Cape May

Initial reaction when asked to dance? “I volunteered last year and Timothy (Larrick) put me on the list for this year. Volunteered because I thought it would be good to have our retirement community, Ohio Living Cape May, represented, as well as seniors in general.”

Dancing experience? “I like to dance – started in high school in Philadelphia, where I was on American Bandstand with Dick Clark once or twice. I certainly wasn’t a regular, but went with a group of friends from school who took public transportation and stood in line. And we actually got to dance on the show! That was back in the ‘50s, and jitterbug was the rage.”

Favorite thing about Clinton County? “Acceptance of outsiders, even though, after 11 years, local references still go over our heads. And – the Energize Clinton County burger at the General Denver!”

Who would play you in the film of your life? “Robert DeNiro! Just saw him older with a beard on a celebrity roast of Alec Baldwin.”

MARIAN MILLER, City Administrator, City of Wilmington

Initial reaction when asked to dance? “I laughed and said ‘no’.”

Dancing experience? “Dancing in the living room with my daughter is as much experience as I have.”

Favorite thing about Clinton County? “The people and the Corn Festival. I mean, seriously, have you had that Boy Scout corn?”

Who would play you in the film of your life? “I have no idea. Jennifer Lawrence is the only one goofy enough to play me but doesn’t look a thing like me.”

BEKAH MUCHMORE, Host at the General Denver Hotel and full-time Graduate Student/Grad Assistant at Wright State University

Initial reaction when asked to dance? “I was excited and nervous!”

Dancing experience? “I have been in many of the theatre productions at Wilmington College and have done some dance there but other than that, I am a blank canvas when it comes to dancing!”

Favorite thing about Clinton County? “I really do love the sense of community here. While attending Wilmington College, I grew to love the people here and now consider many of them to be my family.”

Who would play you in the film of your life? “Melissa McCarthy”

TIM RUDDUCK, Clinton County Common Pleas Court Judge

Initial reaction when asked to dance? “I initially thought Cindy Camp was joking. Then, when I realized she was serious I felt queasy in my stomach because I know I am no dancer but I wanted to help the Murphy. After a 24-hour period of reflection, and some bribes from a board member, I said ‘yes’ and am glad I did.”

Dancing experience? “I took cotillion ballroom dancing lessons in the third grade.”

Favorite thing about Clinton County? “The people. The City of Wilmington recently had a campaign recognizing the ‘grit’ of the community. As a judge, I have found that ‘grit’ real as we fight the opioid crisis together helping folks get off these drugs. I love the faith of our community in God and the way that faith is transformed into action. The faith community has been a big part of the success of the You-Turn Recovery Drug Court docket and I know that commitment will continue.”

Who would play you in the film of your life? “Spencer Tracy.”

KELSEY SWINDLER, Director of Marketing and Physician Recruitment, CMH Regional Health System, and City Council Member, at-large.

Initial reaction when asked to dance? “Fear! Followed by excitement. I’m so looking forward to the next several months of fundraising on behalf of the Murphy Theatre – with the 100th anniversary quickly approaching, it’s an exciting time to be part of its history and help shape its future.”

Dancing experience? “Limited. I’ve taken a few ballet classes in my life, but I always felt pretty uncoordinated. I’m really looking forward to this opportunity to try something a little different and have some fun onstage with the other stars!”

Favorite thing about Clinton County? “Clinton County is and will always be home. I love how connected and rooted I feel here and how people take care of each other. I’m proud to live in a community that strikes a balance between cherishing its rich history and pushing confidently into a new future every single day.”

Who would play you in the film of your life? Oh gosh, like every nerdy, headstrong, know-it-all ’90s kid, I would love to say Emma Watson, but if I’m being honest with myself, it’s probably Amy Poehler. I try not to take myself too seriously.”

JANE TAYLOR, Art Teacher, Wilmington City Schools

Initial reaction when asked to dance? “Joy and enthusiasm and a little nervousness.”

Dancing experience? I have ‘tore up’ plenty of dance floors, but have not had any dance lessons.”

Favorite thing about Clinton County? “I love the people here.”

Who would play you in the film of your life? “Megan Mullally.”

Choreographer Cole Haugh and star Bekah Muchmore practice moves for Saturday night’s performance.
http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/09/web1_IMG_7568-1.jpgChoreographer Cole Haugh and star Bekah Muchmore practice moves for Saturday night’s performance. Kathleen Norman photo

Taylor
http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/09/web1_Taylor-1.jpgTaylor Kim Law | MudPie Photos

Al-Ghawi
http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/09/web1_Al-Ghawi-1.jpgAl-Ghawi Kim Law | MudPie Photos

Ames
http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/09/web1_Ames-1.jpgAmes Kim Law | MudPie Photos

Elmore
http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/09/web1_Elmore-1.jpgElmore Kim Law | MudPie Photos

Graham
http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/09/web1_Graham-1.jpgGraham Kim Law | MudPie Photos

Miller
http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/09/web1_Miller-1.jpgMiller Kim Law | MudPie Photos

Rudduck
http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/09/web1_Rudduck-1.jpgRudduck Kim Law | MudPie Photos

Swindler
http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/09/web1_Swindler-1.jpgSwindler Kim Law | MudPie Photos

Muchmore
http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/09/web1_Muchmore-1.jpgMuchmore Kim Law | MudPie Photos

DeHart
http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/09/web1_Jacob-DeHart-1-1.jpgDeHart Kim Law | MudPie Photos

http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/09/web1_Dancing-with-the-Stars-231×300-1.jpgKim Law | MudPie Photos
Theme ‘Music from the Movies’

For more information on DWTS and other upcoming events, contact the Murphy Theatre at www.themurphytheatre.org or 937-382-3643, or stop in the box office Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 50 W. Main St., Wilmington.

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