Displaying items by tag: tap dance

Chicago Tap Theatre (CTT) presents Saturn Returns, directed by Molly Smith and music directed by Anaiet Soul, June 11-14 at The Edge Theater, 5451 N. Broadway Ave. Performances are Thursday, June 11 and Friday, June 12 at 7 p.m., Saturday, June 13 at 5 p.m. and Sunday, June 14 at 2 p.m. Ticket prices are $35 - $75 and are on sale now at ChicagoTapTheatre.com. 

Directed by Molly Smith, Saturn Returns tells the universally human story of getting older through tap dance and live music with new choreography by Smith and the dancers of Chicago Tap Theatre. Based on the Saturn return process in astrology, this show, the last in CTT's '25-'26 season, is a heartwarming snapshot of our individual pasts, presents, and futures.

Director Molly Smith stated, "I've been interested in exploring the intersection of astrology and tap dance for a long time, and this opportunity created the perfect space to use the perspective of a Saturn return, when the planets align as they did at one's birth, to look at how we age, mature, and navigate life in ever-unsteady times. Tap dance is a natural vessel to portray the rhythm of life, how we grow and change as individuals and as a community, and how we celebrate our wins, and this show is full of excitement, challenges, and surprises for dancers and audience members alike."

The Program for Saturn Returns Includes:

Hope College Piece (pre-show opener), choreographed by Martin "Tre" Dumas III

Celestial Groove, choreographed by Molly Smith

Approach the Threshold, choreographed by Mark Yonally

The Shock of Aging, choreographed by Sterling Harris & Molly Smith

Accountability/Responsibility, choreographed by Sara Anderson

Hard Work & Discipline, choreographed by Molly Smith

Separation/Restriction, choreographed by Molly Smith

Slow & Steady, choreographed by Sara Anderson & Greta Sorensen

Solitude, choreographed by Molly Smith

Boundaries, choreographed by Heather Latakas & Molly Smith

Own your Choices & Create Your Path, choreographed by Molly Smith

Celestial Celebration & Bows, choreographed by Molly Smith

Chicago Tap Theatre Summer Show's dancers include Mark Yonally, Sterling Harris, Molly Smith, Sara Anderson, Heather Latakas, Chris Matthews, Greta Sorensen, Ellie Guzzano, Antonio Houston, and Kelsey Nickens. Accompanying the dancers will be local Chicago musicians, led by music director Anaiet Soul.

ABOUT MOLLY SMITH, DIRECTOR & CHOREOGRAPHER

Molly Smith (they/them) [Rehearsal Director, Director of Operations & Community Engagement] is a performer, dance teacher and arts administrator and has been with Chicago Tap Theatre for 8 seasons. Smith is a co-founder of THEM queers band and is on faculty at Incite Dance Center & Activate Your Artistry dance convention as well as Chicago Tap Theatre's community youth classes. Smith has traveled to teach and perform tap dance internationally, touring with Martin Tre Dumas to China, teaching at the Artis Escola de Dansa in Reus, Spain, and they are a frequent teacher and choreographer throughout the United States, including at the Chicago Tap Summit, Chicago Tap Allstars' Tap Dance Day Workshop Weekend and guest teaching at Oklahoma City University.

 ABOUT CHICAGO TAP THEATRE

Founded in 2002, Chicago Tap Theatre is a growing and vibrant dance company dedicated to preserving the quintessentially American dance form of tap while taking it to the next level of creativity, innovation and quality. CTT performs exclusively with live music provided by some of Chicago's finest musicians playing everything from Duke Ellington to David Bowie and many artists in between. Under the dynamic direction of master teacher and performer Mark Yonally, CTT has gained a loyal and sizable following in Chicago and continues to tour both nationally and internationally. Having pioneered the "tap opera" format, which tells stories with compelling characters and intriguing plots, CTT has used the language of tap dance, live music and narration to move audiences for more than 20 years.

Chicago Tap Theatre (CTT) presents Saturn Returns, directed by Molly Smith and music directed by Anaiet Soul, June 11-14 at The Edge Theater, 5451 N. Broadway Ave. Performances are Thursday, June 11 and Friday, June 12 at 7 p.m., and Saturday, June 13 at 5 p.m., and Sunday, June 14 at 2 p.m. Ticket prices are $35 - $75. Tickets are now on sale and may be purchased by visiting ChicagoTapTheatre.com.

With CAN YOU HEAR US NOW? Chicago Tap Theatre presents an original show directed by Molly Smith. CAN YOU HEAR US NOW? featured a series of original choreography from CTT dancers inspired by, referencing, and in honor of historical figures in tap dance and jazz music history from the LGBTQIA+ community. Part archival research project, part live show, this show combined tap history with the state of tap dance today, with a focus on LGBTQIA+ perspectives. The production was a celebration of queer culture and history through the eyes (and shoes) of the dancers themselves.

CAN YOU HEAR US NOW? THE QUEER TAP DANCE REVOLUTION, performed at the Edge Theatre, is Molly Smith's directorial debut, and a fine job she made of it! Each production was choreographed by a Chicago Tap Theatre (CTT) member or apprentice, including Molly herself. Her solo performance, to Lesley Gore’s You Don’t Own Me, was stunning and clearly heartfelt. She further discussed the connection she sees between tap dance and queerness.

Mark Yonally (he/him) is the founder and Artistic Director of Chicago Tap Theatre, one of the most critically well-regarded dance companies in Chicago. They perform an annual three-show season in Chicago and tour throughout both America and Europe. Their performances have been chosen as the Top Ten Dance events of the year by the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Sun-Times, SeeChicagoDance and Windy City Media. CTT’s stated mission is to share the creativity, the history, and the pure joy of tap dance; these were clearly illustrated in CAN YOU HEAR US NOW?

The set was purposefully and effectively nearly neutral; not so the lighting! which was refashioned to enhance each piece.

The intervals between pieces were very short, which was useful for the most part. However, their duration might have been adjusted to coordinate with the mood of the dances, particularly near the end, with more emotionally charged pieces: Molly Smith’s solo, and the dance commemorating our martyrs to the AIDS epidemic. Here the rapid interruptions felt hurried and forced.

Drury Lane has wowed audiences over and over with big song and dance productions. Not only recognized for its intricate choreography, the theater has also been known for its dazzling sets and stunning costume design. From ‘42nd Street’ to ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ to ‘West Side Story,’ impressive musical stage adaptations have practically become common place. In Drury’s latest endeavor, ‘An American in Paris,’ the theatre pulls out all the stops.

Based on the 1951 Academy Award Winning film of the same name that starred dancing greats Gene Kelley and Leslie Caron along with Oscar Levant, Georges Guetary and Nina Foch, ‘An American in Paris’ is the epitome of a big song and dance musical. Taking place in Paris, where love is always the theme, the story revolves around Jerry Mulligan (Josh Drake), a vivacious expatriate who wants to make it as a painter. It’s not long after World War II and Jerry is stricken with the city and has no plans on returning to the U.S. anytime soon.  Jerry’s neighbor, fellow G.I. and friend, Adam Hochberg (Skyler Adams) is a struggling concert pianist who tells us the story - that gets a bit complicated once his long-time friend and associate, French Singer Henri Baurel (Will Skrip), and talented dancer Lise Dassin (Leigh-Ann Esty) get introduced. Turns out the three fellas all have eyes for Lise, and though they talk to each other about their newly found love, they have no idea they are referring to the same person – thus the song “S Wonderful”.

The dancing scenes are certainly the highlight in this production and Josh Drake makes the most of his opportunity as Jerry to astonish the audience with his fancy footwork every chance he gets. Though Drake’s acting comes across a bit rigid, he more than makes up for it with a strong voice and eye-popping dancing prowess. Drake is flat out exciting every time his feet begin to move. Leigh-Ann Esty as Lise also startles with her graceful moves, making the most complicated of motions seem effortless. Also, well-cast is Will Skrip as Henri who is not only very funny in the role but is capable of belting at any given moment – and does so with power and flair. Skylar Adams might just offer the best all-around performance in this dynamic musical as Adam Hochberg, giving a well-balanced display of vocal ability, dancing talent when called upon and strong acting. The already superb cast also gets a lift from Erica Evans who shines as Milo Davenport and a Drury ensemble that is ever-reliable.

Karl Green goes all out with fantastic costume design. According to an Instagram post a few weeks prior to the show’s opening, the team had already spent nearly 2,400 hours on costumes, greatly surpassing the theatre’s average of 1,000 hours per show. And it shows, with costume changes aplenty, each detailed to perfection.

The dance scenes are memorable (thanks to Dance Captain, Allyson Graves) and many of the songs unforgettable such as George and Ira Gershwin’s “I’ve got Rhythm” and “(I’ll Build a) Stairway to Paradise”. ‘An American in Paris’ is a story of perseverance, passion for life, but mostly love. 

Highly recommended.

“An American in Paris’ is being performed at Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook through March 29th. For tickets and/or more show information, visit www.drurylanetheatre.com.

The holidays bring many traditions for different people. Some rewatch home alone, some bake cookies, some see Christmas lights, and some watch The Nutcracker with family. To me, it isn’t Christmas until I've seen the ballet at least five times. I've always loved the ballet, especially around the holidays. But tap? When tapped to see Tidings of Tap! I was skeptical. But what could be bad about a holiday dance show?

I never gave much attention to tap. It was the other dance. Sort of like rhythmic gymnastics to Simone biles gymnastics. But I'm a sucker for kitschy holiday shows and one that is family friendly is even better. Tidings of Tap! opened much like The Nutcracker where a young girl, performed by nationally ranked rhythmic gymnast Dasha Merkulov, enters into a mysterious and magical winter wonderland where she meets friends who demonstrate the meaning of the holidays. The tap dancers intricately tapped to familiar holiday carols and tunes, accompanied by a five piece band and live vocals. From winter wonderlands and Christmas to Hanukkah and from Black Friday and New Year's Eve, each number was more charming than the last. The young clara-like girl performed rhythmic gymnastics with grace and beauty. I was surprised by the talent of all the performers. The production was simple yet magical, the choreography intricate yet not overdone. The dancers were expressive and graceful, again nothing what I expected from a tap performance.

Thinking of tap my mind fills with figures like Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire. It's an older dance, one that hasn't kept up with the times. But Tidings of Tap!'s charm and spirit changed this tap-grinch's heart and made her a convert. The whimsical production of two hours and countless numbers offered plenty for the whole family. It was impossible not to smile and it'll be impossible to imagine next holiday season without this in the holiday line up.

Make Tidings of Tap! part of your holiday season next year. It's sure to become a mainstay on the North Shore and a tradition the whole family can enjoy. For more information on Chicago Tap Theater (CTT) visit www.ChicagoTapTheater.com.

For those who may have missed this one time show on December 10th, The return of Tidings of Tap, was filled with joy and the love of dance for the 2017 Holiday Season for families, friends and tap lovers of all ages.  Celebrating their 15th Anniversary, Chicago Tap Theatre presents this tapping extravaganza celebrating Chanukah/Christmas and the winter season, performing with a live band directed by Kurt Schweitz. To help celebrate their 15th Anniversary, Chicago Tap Theatre (CTT) is being challenged by The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, to raise and match funds, to support CTT’s mission in producing high quality and innovative tap dance performances and expanding the art form of tap.

The North Shore Center for Performing Arts in Skokie, was the perfect intimate location for this anniversary holiday extravaganza, giving all audience members a perfect view of the dancers, and more importantly their feet. Highlighted throughout the show, the sound of the tappers helped to create and compliment the holiday music featured.  Tidings of Tap includes a syncopated “Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer” medley during the Carols number, flicks of flame for Candlelight, anger and frustration for our shoppers during Black Friday and even featuring musical stylings from Artistic Director, Mark Yonally and the live band in, Rest Ye, Man. Besides Yonally, the very talented dancing troupe includes Kirsten Ittich, Jennifer Yonally, Aimee Chause, Isacc Stauffer, Sara Anderson, Sarah Owens, Anabel Watson, Bailey Caves, Chris Matthews, Emily Broeker and Dasha Merkulov.

Tidings of Tap, is a fantastic holiday show, that will keep you smiling from beginning to the Shim Sham end, where all tappers from the audience of all ages are encouraged to join the performers on stage for their final dance of the night.  An inspirational show for the season, for new dancers and to reignite the passion of dancers who continue to shuffle in their seats, Tidings of Tap really does bring in the happiest tidings of the season.

For more information on Chicago Tap Theatre including upcoming events, visit www.chicagotaptheatre.com.