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Singers, dancers have a heart for hospice

By Barbara L. Fredricksen and Arts, Entertainment
In print: Friday, May 9, 2008

Angelica Grullon, in front, Lindsey Sandifer, middle, and Alexis Soares, all 10, rehearse a dance to Foot Wurkin that they will perform in the revue.
	[WILL VRAGOVIC | Times]

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John Leggio originally hoped to become a volunteer for Hernando/Pasco Hospice.

"I lost the two most precious and inspirational people in my life over the last two years, my mom and my aunt," he said. "I saw how special hospice was during the last days of my aunt's passing ... I wanted to become a volunteer."

But the crowded schedule at his John Leggio Center for the Performing Arts precluded the often on-call nature of a hospice volunteer.

So instead of giving his time, Leggio decided to give his talents and invited his students to donate theirs, too.

The result is "Look to the Rainbow," a benefit for Hernando/Pasco Hospice, at 7 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday at Bishop M-cLaughlin Catholic High School in Hudson.

"(This) is to bring awareness and some help to this great organization," Leggio said.

He added: "I also thought it would be a great gift to my students to perform for a cause that was greater than themselves, a cause about giving instead of receiving. I want my kids to learn that their talent is a gift and they can use that gift for more than just making money, getting awards and making it big."

For tryouts, the students had to choreograph something on their own that would work well for this show, Leggio said. Some did solos, others duets, trios and small groups. Several of those routines are actually in the show.

"Many of them are honoring family members in their own lives that they have lost and where hospice helped them," Leggio said.

Many of the performers are familiar to local audiences.

Lucy Werner, for example, recently played the lead role in Once Upon a Mattress at Nature Coast Technical High School in Brooksville and has also performed at the Show Palace Dinner Theatre.

Colleen Campbell and Ashley Schoendorf were recently featured singers with the Hernando Symphony Orchestra.

P.J. DiGaetano played the title role in Oliver at Stage West Community Playhouse and a key role in A Show Palace Christmas 2007.

Matthew Romeo had speaking roles in South Pacific and Singin' in the Rain at the Show Palace.

Lucy and Colleen have been chosen to participate this summer in the Broadway Theatre Project, started by Broadway legend Ann Reinking in Tampa several years ago.

Lucy, Chandler Bearden and Amber Toye have won spots in the Rockettes Summer Intensive dance camp led by the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes.

Those in the show are members of Leggio's Center Company Dancers and/or Center Company Singers and are ages 7 through 17.