A Senior Tap Group from Clifton Park, NY

The Shen Showstoppers, a tap group from the Clifton Park Senior Community Center in Clifton Park, NY, have been dancing together since 2003. Janet Murphy, a former Rockette, is the teacher and choreographer for the Shen Showstoppers. 

Most of the Shen Showstoppers in class on July 15, 2022. 

From the left: Janet Murphy, Linda Gellman, Phyllis Morrison, Tema Chase, Rosalie Fahey, Ken Blatt, Diane Posthauer, Jacki DiLorenzo, Millicent Miller, Andrea  Leahy, Kate Dudding.

They have performed locally at The Miss Empire Rose/Empire Star pageants (preliminary competitions for Miss America), Senior Expos and senior residences.

They were also selected three times to perform at The Senior Interstate Tap Show at the theater in the George Frey Center for Arts and Recreation in Fair Lawn, NJ. They were one of eleven groups from New Jersey, New York and Connecticut invited to perform at this long running annual event. Another of Janet’s groups, the Timeless Tappers from Colonie, also performed. These shows were sold out.

In the September, 2015 Senior Interstate Tap Show, the Shen Showstoppers danced two numbers: “It Had to be You”, (see above photo), sung by Harry Connick, Jr.; and “Fascinating Rhythm”, composed by George Gershwin. They performed a variety of time steps (syncopated steps), precision steps and kick lines. The Shen Showstoppers who performed in New Jersey were: Tema Chase and Carol Clark of Mechanicville, as well as Cathy Dempsey, Jackie DiLorenzo, Millicent Miller and Phyllis Morrison of Clifton Park.

In December, 2019, the Shen Showstoppers performed at the Clifton Park Senior Community Center for more than 100 people (see below).

From the right: Linda Gellman,Tema Chase, Kate Dudding, Millicent Miller, 

Catherine Dempsey, Nancy Hamel, and Jackie DiLorenzo.

An article about this performance was published in The Gazette.

If you'd like the Shen Showstoppers to perform, please contact Kate Dudding kate@katedudding.com (518) 383-4620.

Phil Barrett, Town Supervisor of Clifton Park, NY, visited with some of us October 31, 2016.