Wikipedia states that Anna Trebunskaya is a “professional ballroom and Latin dancer on ‘Dancing with the Stars.’” Of real interest to her fans is that this beloved celebrity will be appearing along with many other favorites in the forthcoming “Ballroom with a Twist,” which will take over the Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope, PA, from November 4th through the 9th.

 

“There are the International Latin Style, and the International Standard Style. I studied both as a child. To answer your question, I studied both as a child in the Soviet Union,” said Anna recently from her home in California in response to my question, “How many styles of dancing are there, and why did you choose the one you did choose?” “There really are five styles,” she continued, saying “There are American styles, too.”

 

In response to questions about “Ballroom with a Twist,” Anna spoke at length: “The show is similar to the one last year, but it is not the same show.  It is similar, but not the same, since there are a few different dancers doing different dances, so yes, it is a different show. We have toured the show for the last few years around North America. I say North America, because we appear in Canada as well as the United States.” Anna was asked what her fans might expect when she appears next week in New Hope. “Oh! I will be hosting again with Dimi, that’s Dmitry Chaplin, spelled like Charlie Chaplin. What, what did you say? He’s a heart-throb?  Hhmmm … I guess you might say that about Dimi, yes. I will be doing five … no, six … dances. Well, we’ll need to see what we do once we arrive the day before we open. If you like Tango and Foxtrot, and Latin dances, you will not be disappointed.”

 

Was she serious about arriving the day before? “Yes. We have worked together, and we will be coming from a previous engagement in Rancho Cucamonga, California, so we will have it all in place. By the way, after New Hope, we will be appearing with the show in Arizona.” Her answer led to the question, “Do you ever get jet-lagged?” “Oh, yes! Of course! We are like everybody else, but you have to anticipate it, and work through it, resting up whenever you can.”

 

Anna Trebunskaya was then asked about “Dancing with the Stars.” “The show has been on for nineteen seasons,” she said, adding, “I’ve appeared on eleven of those nineteen seasons. I am not appearing in this season. I am leaving my options open as to next year.” Her answer led to the inevitable question, “How long will you continue dancing?” “That’s a good question! I see myself dancing, as well as judging and teaching dance, for some years to come. I have a dance school in California, and I’ve done some acting for television, so we will see how that goes. I appeared as a guest star on ‘The Newsroom’ series on HBO. It will probably air sometime in December – but don’t quote me!” So is acting something Anna Trebunskaya will be interested in pursuing, perhaps with her partner, Nevin Millan? “Nevin is not a dancer. We may be acting together next year. It is too soon to talk about it, but it is a possibility.”

 

Ms. Trebunskaya was then asked about her daughter, Amalya. “How much time do you have to hear me talk about her?! She is wonderful and beautiful, and the joy of my life.” So how does she manage to travel so much with a daughter born this past January? “I sometimes take her with me, or I leave her home with family if the trip is short.” Does Anna see herself retiring anytime soon? “You’ve asked another good question! People can easily dance well into their 40s, doing what we do. It’s not like football, you know. I love dancing, so I don’t see retirement anytime soon. I see women in their 70s doing the Quickstep, so I would have to say that yes, I might be doing the Quickstep myself when I’m 75.  You never know.” Speaking of age, what will this lady be doing on December 28, her birthday. “I think it’s a weekday, so it might be a workday. You know, birthdays are important when we are children, so I have no special plans except for the special time I will spend with my family that day.”

 

Does Anna Trebunskaya have any parting words for her legion of fans?  “I hope that they come to see ‘Ballroom with a Twist.’ It is a great show if you love great dancing, but it is also entertaining, and the lights and music are spectacular. Come and see it. You won’t be disappointed. It’s a treat for everyone.”

 

“Ballroom with a Twist” will be at the Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope, Pennsylvania November 4-9. For more information, visit their website.