It may not be the best cure, but for Mitchel Federan and the Versatile Dance Company, it’ll bring them one step closer.
“Praying for Abbey,” Versatile Dance Company’s premier performance, will bring together 15 dancers to tell the story of Abbey Colbert, a young girl diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia at the age of 3. All proceeds from ticket sales will go toward the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as well as Colbert’s family to help give her story a happy ending.
“She and her family have seen such a tough time,” said Federan.
Federan, 18, said he decided to fight for Colbert the best way he knew how: through dance. He organized the Versatile Dance Company, a group of 15 dancers from various backgrounds, all dedicated toward raising money for charities.
“We just sort of came together,” he said.
The non-profit company will use their talents to benefit causes meaningful to the company and the community, he said.
“She was the niece of one of my dance teachers,” said Federan. “To hear her story, it’s really heart-breaking. It really made me want to do more.”
“Praying for Abbey” will debut Jan. 10 at 2 p.m. at the Canton Palace Theatre, with tickets going toward the charity at $40. The show includes 17 pieces, bringing together songs to tell Colbert’s story from groups like The Fray and Coldplay. The dancers will showcase a variety of styles beyond the usual, said Federan, venturing from tap to acrobatic forms.
“My dancers are very versatile,” said Federan. “They’re competition dancers that have won numerous awards.”
Through the show, voiceovers from Colbert’s mother, Shelley, will carry viewers through her story, focusing on “love, togetherness and support,” he said.
“The story will have a happy ending,” he said. “We’ll show that they’re going to get through this.”
As Abbey continues to fight against leukemia, her family runs a blog with updates and day-to-day prayer requests located at www.colbert-family.blogspot.com. Throughout the blog are pictures of Abbey and her siblings and parents celebrating her struggle through daily life.
As well as dancers from all over Ohio, the Versatile company features two local faces. Makenzie Vascenzo, a junior at Jackson High School, and Chandler Lago, a locally-homeschooled student, will take the stage to benefit Colbert.
Federan, like those in the company, has been dancing all his life, he said. Since he started, he’s accumulated credits from Broadway, where he starred opposite Hugh Jackman in “The Boy from Oz,” to television. Federan was nominated “Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical” awards and won a Theatre World Award for “Best Broadway Debut” in 2004. Federan has been hired to choreograph at studios all over the east coast.
Versatile Dance Company debuts with “Praying for Abbey,” and more information about the new group can be found at www.versatiledancecompany.com.
Tickets to the charity show can be purchased by visiting www.cantonpalacetheatre.com or by calling 330-454-8172. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and Abbey Colbert.
