Class gives senior exercisers gentle taste of Broadway dancing
A little bit of Broadway has come to Atria Seville. The senior living facility at 2000 N. Rampart Blvd. has begun a new exercise program under the direction of a former “Jubilee!” dancer.
The new class, Sweatin’ to Broadway, is offered at 2 p.m. the third and fifth Wednesdays each month. Participants in the half-hour class can remain seated for the routines.
“This is a social model. The expectation for them is to come in and do the exercises, the exercise and the social aspects, I mean,” said Jill Biondo, engage life director at Atria Seville. “If they’re going to live a long life, we say you might as well be happy. It’s fun. I see them exercising more than (some young people). I tell them that, and they get inspired.”
Atria Seville, which has 125 apartments, schedules other exercise programs every day, including tai chi, chair yoga class and laugh yoga led by master Mitch Menik. There is also a walking club and Conductorcise, which has participants pretending to conduct an orchestra for a good upper body workout. Biondo said 30 residents are diehard exercisers and attend classes every day.
Michael Rossinsky, who performed in “Jubilee!” on the Strip, came up with the Sweatin’ to Broadway dance class. He said he was inspired to do a program at the senior living facility because of his grandmother, Nanny, who loves musical theater, is in her 80s and lives in North Carolina.
“They don’t realize they’re exercising at the time, when they’re dancing,” he said. “And they love that kind of music because it takes you to a different place. And you remember seeing the show or who starred in the show, and they start singing along. The looks on their faces, it’s just priceless.”
The chairs in the main room off the entry had props such as those found on the New York stage — top hats and boas. Canes will be added, Biondo said.
The class began with stretching to warm up before launching into the music portion, “Cabaret,” played on Rossinsky’s laptop. The top hat came into play, being lifted above their heads, then stuck out in front, a gentle way to work the upper body.
Residents who attended Sweatin’ to Broadway had the option to stand or sit for the program. All of them opted to sit for the entire class.
The music pulled in the curious, some of whom decided to participate until the class included 15 attendees, three of them men.
The song “One” from “A Chorus Line” came up next, and Rossinsky led the participants in multiple eight-counts that included heel touches, a pseudo kickline, clapping, top hat lifts and marching.
“Rub your boa down your arm, that’s it,” Rossinsky said. “Very classy, very sexy.”
The nonstop eight counts caused some confusion. One woman lifted her feet as well as her top hat. Another merely tapped her toes when it came time to do the gentle kicks. Almost everyone was singing along to the music.
“Give yourselves a hand,” Rossinsky said. “We’re ready for a show.”
In the back, one woman pulled out a tissue and wiped her brow.
Leah Kline, a regular exerciser, wanted to be in the class because she thought it would be fun. She cited “Cabaret” as her favorite Broadway show.
“Hearing it makes me feel happy,” Kline said. “I like the Broadway shows, the music.”
Rose Klass said after she exercises, she feels “better, more flexible, and my joints are looser. I have more energy.”
After the class, bits of boa feathers floated to the floor. One of the staffers had taken video of the class to post on YouTube. A couple of residents huddled around to see what had been captured.
“You always enjoy seeing yourself, to hell with the rest of the world,” joked Martin Weiner, a first-time attendee, as he watched the replay.
His brows knitted together as he watched himself.
“Guess I’ll have to put more oomph into it,” he said.
The class is open to the public as well as Atria Seville residents. For more information, visit atriaseville.com.
To reach Summerlin Area View reporter Jan Hogan, email jhogan@viewnews.com or call 702-387-2949.
