The Red and Black

Issue date: 7/24/08 Section: Variety

Media Credit: COURTESY SUSAN MURPHY Identical twin sisters Elsie Smith and Serenity Smith Forchion perform in The Colorful Hat, an all ages show by Canopy Studios. The Twins have also performed with Cirque du Soleil and The Ringling Bros. [Click to enlarge]

As far as "Teletubbies"-type humor goes, adults are usually capable of sitting through about six minutes. Although finding entertainment suitable for both you and your shining bundle of joy can't be the hardest part of parenting, it's definitely not easy.

Athens' own Canopy Studio, however, succeeded in this feat - hosting aerial dance show "The Colorful Hat."

In the show, a curious cleaning lady (accomplished actress and singer Connie Freeman Prince) discovers a colorful hat while cleaning an old theater. As the maid fantasizes about the dancing and singing of performers from decades ago, the hat takes her back in time to relive the fantasy for herself.

Along with narration, singing, dancing, and comedy a la Miss Prince, grown-ups were delighted to gaze upon the intricate aerial acrobatics. There were trapeze and hoop dancing routines performed by Bill Forchion and identical twin sisters Elsie Smith and Serenity Smith Forchion.

Included in their extensive resumes, Elsie and Serenity went on a four-year tour with Cirque du Soleil and Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. There were also several impressive dance and juggling numbers by Jen Slaw and Tony Duncan.

If you're interested in learning the delicate yet powerful art of aerial dance, classes for children and adults of all skill levels begin Sept. 3. If you just want to watch, check out the Canopy Repertory performance the weekend of Oct. 4. You can view class schedule and other details at www.canopystudio.com.

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