The contestants will be partnered with dance professionals from throughout the area to prepare for the event in May at The Palace Theatre in Stamford. 

Hosting this year's event will be Bill Evans, Senior Meteorologist for WABC-TV.

"Bill has been a judge at the event for the past few years and we had hoped for him to actually dance, so this is step in the right direction," said Lou Ursone, Curtain Call's executive director. "Bill's schedule didn't allow him to dance this year, but now that we've got him out on the dance floor I'm sure he'll be ready to dance next year.”

Curtain Call is Stamford’s longest-running nonprofit community theatre company.  Its Dancing with the Stars event is the theatre’s only fundraiser to help underwrite the costs of its operation. 

"As a life-long Stamford resident and member of the arts community here, I can't tell you how exciting it is to see this outpouring of support from our community to help keep our community theatre strong," Ursone said.

The fundraising event will mimic the popular TV show, with behind the scenes video footage of couples in rehearsal as well as live performances and commentary from judges.

"Planning for this year's event started the day after we held our last event," said event co-chair, Jami Sherwood.

Other dancers performing include, Nancy Freedman (STAMFORD) - Producer, Stamford All School Musical – Professional Dance Partner: Moises Guerrero - Arthur Murray Grande Ballroom of Greenwich; John J. Hickey, III (STAMFORD) - Richard's of Greenwich - Professional Dance Partner: Christine Georgopulo – Arthur Murray Grande Ballroom of Greenwich; Kevin Leville (NEW CANAAN) CEO, Day 3 Health, LLC - Professional Dance Partner: Collin Klaene - Dance With Me, Stamford; Donna Ormond (STAMFORD) Valerie Wilson Travel - Professional Dance Partner: Lou Lopez - Latin Moves Dance Studio; Nagi Osta (STAMFORD) Owner, Nagi Jewelers - Professional Dance Partner: Rosa Fanelli - Arthur Murray Grande Ballroom of Greenwich; Fran Pastore (STAMFORD) President & CEO, WBDC, Inc. - Professional Dance Partner: Thomas Varian - Arthur Murray Grande Ballroom of Greenwich; Andrew Rowley (STAMFORD) Head of Communications & Marketing, RBS GBM, Americas - Professional Dance Partner: Kelly Butler - Arthur Murray Grande Ballroom of Greenwich; Cari Shapiro (WESTON) Group Vice President, Ross Stores - Professional Dance Partner: Ronny Dutra - Dance With Me, Stamford;  Jill Tomasello (DARIEN) Director, Advanced Physical Therapy Center - Professional Dance Partner: with Ivan Angelkovski - Dance With Me, Stamford; Dr. Nolan Zeide (STAMFORD) Bull's Head Pet Hospital - Professional Dance Partner: Meredith Landphair - Dance With Me, Stamford.  

The event will take place May 18.  For more information, call 203-329-8207 x11 or visit www.curtaincallinc.com and click the Special Events tab.