RSS 2.0 FeedJanuary 20, 2010, Cover Stories, Dance
"Thank You Gregory" remembers past dance greats
Think of Gregory Hines and you think of tap dancing. He brought excitement, nostalgia and the itch to tap at the Carlsen Center last Saturday night. Of course, the late great hoofer was not actually there, but his legacy was close at heart.
Gregory Hines brought excitement, nostalgia and the itch to tap to a sold out audience at the Carlsen Center last Saturday night. Of course, Hines was not actually present, but his legacy was close at heart, along with those of numerous other tap legends.
The idea behind Thank You Gregory was created by Tony Waag, the artistic director of the American Tap Dance Foundation, and produced by Dance Affiliates, a supporter and sponsor of endless dance programs and productions. Thank You Gregory features a cast of eight tappers and a pianist who honor the work and talent of Hines and his fellow tap contributors with dancing, singing, music and video.
The program began with each dancer introducing himself or herself with a simple tap phrase, working up to a complex a cappella rhythm once the ensemble came together. Joseph Webb, the lead male, also acted as the announcer, leading the audience through the timeline of tap from its creation to its modern-day revival.
The first act was one of multiple tributes, beginning with short salutations to tap greats, including Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, Fred Astaire, Charles "Honi" Coles and, obviously, Gregory Hines. The tap sounds throughout the show were crystal clear and the portrayals predominantly were spot-on, making it easy to identify each legend's signature steps. The remainder of the tributes paid homage to different kinds of tap, such as classic, Vaudeville and swing.
The Vaudeville section was a highlight for its jaw-dropping, knee-slapping humor. The two dancers mimicked the outgoing personality and stop-at-nothing style of legendary tap duo Charles Cook and Ernest Brown exceptionally well. Everyone had a big smile when the pair traded in their standard taps for roller skates, managing to stay on balance quite well except for when it paid off in laughs to stumble and fall.
Another section that stood out was Webb's imitation of four of tap's greatest - Jimmy Slyde, Baby Lawrence, Peg Leg Bates and John Bubbles. This was the longest section, giving equal credit to each icon, and Webb's imitations took audience members back in time with his realistic renditions.
Act two featured the men performing in the spirit of the Copasetics, founded by Charles "Honi" Coles, and the women paying tribute to the female tap legends, mainly Brenda Buffalino. Another second-act highlight was the entertaining Andy Warhol-esque video footage of a pair of tapping feet, performed by Barbara Duffy and produced by Tony Waag.
In spite of the meritorious dancing, the second act felt more like a professional football game with its slow transitions and abundance of down time. However, the show ended on an upbeat with an audience exercise in rhythm, the Chairdance and the traditional Shim Sham Shimmy. The dancers invited any and all tap-happy patrons to join them on stage for their rendition of the Shim Sham Shimmy and a chance to boogie down individually.
The evening's program was a great look back at the various tap legends and milestones, which even included an attempt at tying contemporary music with the evolving genre. Dancer Chloe Arnold performed a commendable solo to one of Hines' vocal tracks, but the group's routine to Beyoncé's Deja Vu felt extremely out of place and was a long shot.
The men fared better throughout the show partly because the majority of tap legends are male, but also because they came off more professional, well-versed and rehearsed than the ladies. Tap is one of the few dance genres where individuality is admired and conformity is not expected. Some move their arms more and have a loose movement quality, while others dance tighter and more precisely. Some rely on humor, while others showcase their technique above all things.
No matter how hard, easy or unique each person's style was, the dancers did their best at representing the tap legends honorably, bringing them back to life. For most of the audience it was a trip down memory lane, but for others it was the chance to learn about the greats. In addition to creating and restoring memories, Thank You Gregory is contributing part of the proceeds to the Gregory Hines Youth Scholarship Fund that allows others to experience the gift of tap and to ensure the world never forgets those who laid the foundation.
REVIEW:
The Performing Arts Series at JCCC
Thank You Gregory: A Tribute to the Legends of Tap
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Yardley Hall, Carlsen Center
12345 College Boulevard, Overland Park, KS
For tickets to other events call 913-469-4445 or online at www.jcc.edu/TheSeries
Dance Contributor
Laura Vernaci is a Kansas City native who has always been passionate about the arts, particularly dance. She began dance lessons at the young age of five and hasn't stopped since. She trained at the Kansas City Ballet where she became a serious dancer and learned about a professional company.
She attended Butler University in Indianapolis, IN where she majored in dance. She transferred to Truman State University in Kirksville, MO in 2006 and received a degree in Journalism in May 2008. Laura spent the 2008-2009 in Duluth, MN dancing professionally for the Minnesota Ballet. She performed in productions such as, "The Nutcracker," "Cinderella" and "Coppelia" as well as world premier ballets created on the company.
She recently moved back to Kansas City and is excited to combine her experience in writing with her passion for dance. In addition to performing and writing, Laura also enjoys teaching dance and choreographing.
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