Hoofing for Hope

Phantom of the Library ... whaddaya think?

Lacks oomph, doesn't it? Missing that grand emotional sweep of the opera. And no plunging chandelier. What could come crashing down with such dramatic impact at the library? A bookshelf?

Let's leave it at "Hope2," a ballet performance Saturday by cast members of "Phantom -- The Las Vegas Spectacular" at the Clark County Library Theater. Proceeds from the second annual event will benefit Family Promise of Las Vegas, which assists homeless families.

"Actors have a little bit of a close feeling to the idea of homelessness," says organizer Bruce Ewing, who portrays "Phantom's" Monsieur Reyer and will join other vocalists to back up the "Hope2" ballet dancers, aka his castmates. "There are times I remember living in New York where soup was all I had all day. We're on the edge a lot, so we have a soft spot for the homeless."

"Hope2" encompasses both traditional ballet -- comfortably familiar pieces "Swan Lake" and "Cinderella"-- a couple of "humorous" works and original choreography that "Phantom" dancers have been practicing and polishing at a rehearsal hall at The Venetian since April.

"We've been rehearsing pretty much nonstop, about two or three days a week, afternoons before the ('Phantom') shows," says Courtney Combs, the Strip hit's dance captain, who maintains the quality of the routines for the choreographer. "In 'Phantom,' there's classical ballet also, and all of us come from a classical ballet background." And she's grateful to blend back into the dancer ranks for this one-shot performance, rather than riding herd over all those dancing "Phantom" feet.

"Being dance captain and knowing what it's like when people are constantly questioning you about something, this is a lot of fun because I can just dance and don't have to be in charge of anything."

Beyond the event's altruism, "Hope2" dance co-coordinator Erina Noda says the performance fills a hole in this city's arts soul. "We thought this town doesn't offer too many classical forms of live art, that's what we thought was lacking," says Noda, a "Phantom" dancer. "We wanted to offer that to the community for once."

Just as important as the show is the cause, as Ewing points out. The performer arrived in Las Vegas in 1996 with the cast of "Forever Plaid," and began working for Family Promise the following year. "I started volunteering by doing laundry. It was the only thing I could do, because they didn't have a lot of volunteer jobs during the day," Ewing says.

"I've seen so many families go through the program, get back into homes, remain successful. I saw how incredible and personal this is. It's not a big agency, it's a small one where you can make a difference."

The organization, Combs adds, has been "adopted" as "Phantom's" Las Vegas charity, but the event also benefits the "Phantom" cast -- artistically, not monetarily. "It's so nice to be able to have another creative outlet for us," Combs says. "We all love 'Phantom,' but this lets us explore other things, and it's a bonding moment for all of us.

"We really connect with each other every night when we do 'Phantom,' but with this it's blood, sweat and tears. We're learning all new stuff. It's brought us all closer."

"Phantom of the Opera"? Already taken. "Phantom of the Library"? Lacks oomph.

"Phantom of the Ballet"? That'll work. All it needs is a crashing chandelier.

Contact reporter Steve Bornfeld at sbornfeld@ reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0256.