Ronnie's Academy of Dance presented "Rags to Riches," featuring Cinderella, on June 13 at the Curtis Peterson Auditorium.  With a cast of 200 plus, the hall was filled with parents, grandparents and friends anxiously awaiting the result of months of lessons, rehearsals, costume fittings, scene-making and the always important blending of the art of music to the art of dance.

     This 23rd recital of the academy presented to Citrus County was a spectacular event, and extraordinary culmination of the dedication of Ronnie and Ryan Bogart in their strict adherence to thorough professional instruction and curriculum.

      It was a classic Cinderella story including the wicked stepmother, mean stepsisters and the invitation that comes to the ball from the prince.  There is a lovely fairy godmother who waves her magic wand and the story unfolds with Jacquelyn King as Cinderella, David Easter and Dan Epstein hilairously stealing the show as the buffoon stepsisters and Sandy Floyd surprising us as a quite petite and lovely stepmother.

     Pretty little ballerinas, all smiles, wowed the audience with Stephanie Sears as the Dance Mistress. 

     Next, an array of dressmakers performed to perfection.  Lovely Heather Fortson as the Fairy Godmother, Chauncey Pauley as the Dragonfly and Lilliana Hagerman as the Spring Fairy brought thunderous applause from a delighted audience.

     Bumblebees and Butterflies filled the stage in perfectly timed sequences and Meghan Andes appeared as the Summer Fairy in exquisite form.

     As each sequence unfolded, we were in awe of the discipline of the students and their apparent love of the art of the dance, the beauty of the dance, choreography, the lighting, the exquisite costuming, set designs and music enhancement.  Breathtaking doesn't begin to describe the emotional experience one receives when attending a Ronnie's Academy of Dance recital.

     There were Grasshoppers and Fireflies along with Michelle Canete as the Autumn Fairy, Bluebirds with Julia Teter-Jones as the Winter Fairy, an array of mice, royal horses, timekeepers and brilliant evening stars, each group showcasing their talents to our delight.

     Scene Two was the prince's ballroom, with elegant courtiers, court dancers and a lively court  jester by Jared Bogart and the prince, dance master Ryan Bogart.

     In Scene Three, Cinderella's House, the entire cast filled the stage as Cinderella sits at her stool thinking of  the night with the prince.

     Act II was a glittering sensation to the eye with the "Diamonds are Forever" sequence featuring brilliant performers, the "Consider Yourself" set, a lively "Puttin' on the Ritz" set, the "Emeralds", "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend" sequence, a "Rubies" set followed by "I Found a Million Dollar Baby" set, "Pennies from Heaven" and "Rags to Riches" glamour personified.

     The final set included "Original Rags", "HardKnock Life", "The Money Tree", "We're in the Money", "Diamonds", "Little Orphan Annie", "On the Sunny Side of the Street", "Sapphires" and "Money", all showcasing the talented groups of performers.

     As the final heralded the performers, we felt blessed to have this fine academy in our midst and the myriad of opportunities it affords the students enrolled with Ryan and Ronnie.  Poise, confidence, cooperation, discipline, creativity, appreciation of the dance as an art form are just a few.

     Sincere admiration and appreciation to Ronnie's Academy of Dance!  Bravo!  Bravo!  Bravo!

     To enroll a student, call 795-1010.