DA Rombardo set for barre exam

The Sierra Nevada Ballet will showcase Carson City District Attorney Neil Rombardo during its annual fundraiser Monday night at Sand Harbor, and the DA says he is only too happy to step up and help.

"Apparently, they must think I'm Fred Astaire," Rombardo said Wednesday. "I don't know what I'm doing yet, because the first rehearsal is (Thursday). I'm supposed to wear a suit or a tux, so I imagine I might be doing ballroom."

"The Best of Broadway" will be presented as part of the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival. The musical theater medley will be performed by the Sierra Nevada Ballet and musical friends at the Sand Harbor Warren Trepp Amphitheater on Lake Tahoe.

The event, designed especially for the Shakespeare Festival, is filled with live music and dancing. Musical numbers from some of the all-time favorite musicals such as West Side Story, Show Boat, The Barkleys of Broadway and Top Hat will offer "a vivid performance under the stars for all ages and musical interests," said the Sierra Nevada Ballet's artistic director, Rosine Bena.

A highlight of the night will include the "Dance with the Stars Under the Stars" performance, where prominent local residents will dance live with the Sierra Nevada Ballet artists in a grand finale.

Besides Carson City's Rombardo, on stage this year will be Incline Village residents Wayne Prim and Katie and Roger Christensen, Reno Philharmonic executive director Tim Young and other distinguished Northern Nevada residents, as well as talent of all ages from the Western Nevada Performing Arts Center.

"I think 'Dancing with the Stars' is great, but I'm not so sure 'Dancing with Neil' will be that great," Rombardo said, laughing.

"It will be fun, though, and I'm looking forward to it. Anytime I can help out, I like to do it," he said. "I just want to tell everyone to show up and support the arts."

As this is a one-night-only event, the show is expected to sell out. For ticket information, visit www.laketahoeshakespeare.com or call 775-783-3223 or 800-74-SHOWS. Ticket prices range from $22 to $70.