The rarely produced tap-dance filled New York City Center Encores! revival of The Tap Dance Kid is running through this Sunday, February 6th! What's the show about!? Let's give you a rundown!
The Tap Dance Kid is a 1983 two time Tony Award-winning musical based off of Louise Fitzhugh's novel "Nobody's Family is Going to Change." The musical has a score by Henry Krieger (post-Dreamgirls, pre-Side Show) with lyrics by Robert Lorick. The book for this Encores! revival has been adapted by Lydia Diamond from Charles Blackwell's original with direction by Tony Award winner Kenny Leon. At the helm of the ever so important tap dancing and choreography for this production is none other than the great singer, actor, dancer, choreographer Mr. Jared Grimes (who will next be seen onstage in the Broadway revival of Funny Girl as Eddie Ryan!).
In 1984, the choreography by Danny Daniels won a Tony Award as did Hinton Battle for Featured Actor in a Musical for portraying Dipsey. You'll also easily recognize the tap dance kid himself in this clip from the '84 Tonys!
In the musical, audiences meet the Sheridan family. William (Joshua Henry) the hard-working patriarch lawyer is married to Ginnie (Adrienne Walker) and they have two children, Emma (Shahadi Wright Joseph) and Willie (Alexander Bello). Ginnie's brother Dipsey Bates (Trevor Jackson) is a dance choreographer following his dancing days with sister Ginnie and their father Daddy Bates (DeWitt Fleming Jr.). Young Willie idolizes his uncle and wants to be a dancer like him and he has the "fabulous feet" tap-dancing away to prove it.
Here are some exciting clips and behind the scenes snaps from this New York City Center Encores! revival. Don't miss The Tap Dance Kid at New York City Center running through February 6th!
DeWitt Fleming, Jr. and Alexander Bello in the rehearsal studio
Alexander Bello's Sheridan-Bates Family Photos
Joshua Henry capturing some offstage singing of "Class Act"
The Tap Dance Kid's Understudies and Swings
"Crosstown"
"Class Act"
Sitzprobe!
Throwback photo of The Tap Dance Kid star Trevor Jackson with choreographer Jared Grimes
Encores! Highlights
