Photo By: Dylan Hernandez
By Diana Sholley, Staff Writer
Published: Thursday, August 19, 2010 03:50:33 PM PDT
Gone from most closets are the bell-bottom bluejeans of yesteryear, but the music lives on forever.
For two weekends starting tonight, Tibbies Dinner Theater at the Center Stage Theater in Fontana presents “Dancing on the Ceiling,” an energetic musical revue of the ’70s and ’80s.
“The show is performed “cruise-ship style,” with a live band, singers and dancers and choreographed numbers,” said Todd Vigiletti, executive producer of Tibbies. “A unique twist is that our servers are also our actors. Once they’re done serving they go backstage, change into their costumes and get ready for the show.”
Vigiletti believes the camaraderie built before the show between patron and wait staff provides a built-in fan base for the night.
“It’s a great opportunity for the audience to get to know the cast,” he said. “It also breaks down the separation between audience and performer, bringing things to a more personal level.”
Vigiletti shares the executive producer role with his wife, Jennifer.
More than 30 hit songs will be performed, including classics from the Carpenters, KC and the Sunshine Band, Bruce Springsteen, Pat Benatar, Queen, the Eagles, Journey and Michael Jackson.
Each number is performed in short-story style with plots, characters and costumes. Vigiletti credits the Fox television hit “Glee” for helping pave the way for his show’s production.
“‘Glee’ has brought our love of musical revues to the mainstream,”
Vigiletti said. “We have performed shows featuring every genre of music from Broadway to pop and everything in between. It is so great that a show like ‘Glee’ has come along and made it cool to sing and dance again. This is the music I grew up on, and I cannot wait for theatre goers to experience the excitement of the music in a live performance.”
“Dancing On The Ceiling” kicks off Center Stage Theater’s third season of professional productions, paired – if the patron chooses – with fine dining.
“We have our own chef prepare everything fresh,” Vigiletti said. “He makes cheesecake from scratch.”
diana.sholley@inlandnewspapers.com, 909-483-9381
DANCING ON THE CEILING
What: TIBBIES Dinner & Show
Where: Center Stage Theater, 8463 Sierra Ave., Fontana
When: Weekends Through Sept. 19, 2010
Cost: Dinner and show, $57.95 adults; $53.95 seniors, $33.95 children; show only $25
Information: 909-429-7469, www.centerstagefontana.com
