PRIME TIME SHOW Niles seniors get ready to shine in 'Big City Lights'

By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- It takes a little longer to put on their taps.
It takes a little longer to change costumes.
But when the tune starts, the 60 or so members of SCOPE's latest musical production turn on their brightest smiles, belt out the lyrics and start hoofin'.
At their dress rehearsal Friday afternoon at the SCOPE Senior Center on West Market Street, the company prepared to present "Big City Lights" on April 21-22.
SCOPE stands for Senior Citizens Opportunities for Endeavor. It's SCOPE's annual production -- now in its 18th year. The show drew about 1,200 last year, some as far away as Toronto, Canada.
"We don't turn anybody away. We find their talents," said director Jason Burgermyer of Cortland.
They work on a performance for 10 months, put on their show, then take a break for a few months before starting all over again.
This year's production takes place in New York City where two people meet, make it to Broadway and fall in love -- despite some obstacles.
Dancers
"I like to make people happy. I enjoy seeing people smile," said Margaret Ziegler of Mecca, a cast member and red-headed Irishwoman.
Although she's 84 years old and had open heart surgery, she still likes to tap.
"Whenever they want something, I'm there," said Ziegler, whose father introduced her to dancing springy jigs.
Ziegler used to entertain as a contortionist. "I move all the time," she said, stressing that's one of the reasons for her longevity.
Mary Horvance of Warren, 74, also believes her dancing has kept her young.
"They call me Peter Pan. They're waiting for me to get old," she quipped.
Like some other members of the company, Horvance danced professionally. Others have made a living as musicians.
Horvance was co-owner of Trumbull Studio of Dance in Warren. Three of her students were her sons, and she didn't want them to be embarrassed by their dancing.
Unlike Horvance, 74-year-old Sarah Jones of Bristolville hasn't had any formal training in dance or song.
She does get into character, though. With a painted mustache, a man's suit, tie, hat and white-rimmed sunglasses, she takes on the character of a man on a New York street.
This is the 12th year Jones has been in a SCOPE production. She joined SCOPE in 1994 after taking care of her uncle for 10 years.
With time on her hands, Jones decided to learn to dance at the center.
"I always wanted to," she said, noting her father tapped and played five instruments.
Younger members
Some in the cast are younger.
Leslie Wilkinson of Cortland is "over 50," and her partner -- singing and dancing to "Side by Side" -- Terry Sexton of Warren is 54.
This is Wilkinson's first year with the SCOPE show. She retired last year after teaching at the LaBrae schools for 35 years.
"I always wanted to entertain but never had the time," Wilkinson said, noting that as a child she was with the Trumbull New Theatre in Niles.
Sexton is in her third production and has always enjoyed dance. She is a master scuba diver and taught diving for many years.
"I love it," Sexton said of entertaining others.
Her daughter, Amy Davis of Warren, is a dance teacher, and her granddaughter, Marie Davis, is a competitive dancer.
Sexton is looking forward to next year, when she hopes to perform as one of three generations of dancers.
yovich@vindy.com