REVIEW: Chicago Tap Theatre at 20: “Tempo, Rhythm, & Time” At The Den Theatre February 18 and 19, 2023

Chicago Tap Theatre Celebrates Two Decades of Performances Revisiting Classic Pieces that Shaped the Company 

Plus Two World Premieres

Chicago Tap Theatre Company Members

Photo by David Harmantas

REVIEW

By Catherine Hellmann, Guest Critic 

“JOY” is the word I keep circling back to in describing the 20th anniversary show and gala presentation by Chicago Tap Theatre. “Exhuberant!” is the other. 

Such a fun experience marveling at the passion and talent these folks brought to every single number. I barely took any notes because my attention was riveted to the fast-moving feet and thrilled smiles of the dancers. 

I really loved the “Under Pressure” number starring Christopher Matthews, Heather Latakas, Molly Eder, and Sara Anderson. Molly Smith and Sterling Harris each had solo numbers that were extraordinary. Artistic Director and Founder Mark Yonally also made a few appearances to share his love of the company he created. 

Act I ended with a rousing rendition of “Birdland.” A dozen tap dancers in close proximity is LOUD but glorious. (I was reminded of taking my ex to a ballet production years ago at the Auditorium Theater, and he referred to the troop of ballerinas jumping around as “a herd of swans.” He was a jerk, but he could be funny…)  Everyone was having a blast. 

Act II included a number by several women from Hope College in Holland, Michigan. Spreading the excitement West of the Lake. 

The final number was “Somebody to Love” by Queen with choreography by Mark Yonally, providing every dancer their moment to shine. The costumes were bright, vivid colors. There was singing by the Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus. The musicians also deserve special note (nice pun, eh?): fabulous bass player and music director Kurt Schweitz assembled a wonderful band with Chris Greene on sax. So much power and energy filled The Den Theater. 

My elation got the better of me, and I registered for the silent auction being held after the performance. From the passenger seat of my sister’s car, I purchased a bakery gift certificate and, even more amusing, a wine tasting for “up to twenty people.” Oops. Now I need to locate 20 of my best friends to go with me. LMK if you’re interested. ;-) Cheers!  

Cath Hellmann loves discovering gems in her fair city like Chicago Tap Theatre and, apparently, a new bakery and winery. Salut! 

 

Chicago Tap Theatre - Liora Lahav

Photo by David Harmantas

Chicago Tap Theatre celebrates 20 years of critically acclaimed dance with a show that is sure to impress. As always, the dancers of CTT will be joined by some of the finest musicians in Chicago playing everything from David Bowie to Queen to Charlie Parker.

All of the funds raised from this event will help CTT continue to represent tap dance and Chicago at the highest level, while providing access to world-class tap education and shows, and ensuring the viability of tap dance as an occupation by providing training and performance opportunities for their community.

Click here for more information: ChicagoTapTheatre.com.

CHICAGO TAP THEATRE LAUNCHES ITS 20TH ANNIVERSARY WITH 

“CHICAGO TAP THEATRE AT 20: TEMPO, RHYTHM AND TIME,” 

Artistic Director Mark Yonally and Chicago Tap Theatre (CTT) present “Chicago Tap Theatre at 20: Tempo, Rhythm and Time” at The Den Theatre, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave., February 18 and 19, 2023. The weekend celebrates CTT’s two decades as one of Chicago’s premier dance companies as well as showcasing their talent worldwide. 

Chicago Tap Theatre launches its 20th anniversary with a celebratory performance featuring classics from its 20-year history, including two world premieres as well as pieces that have not been seen in Chicago since their debut. Chicago Tap Theatre is proud to revisit pieces from some of the early choreographers that shaped the Company including Mark Yonally, Rich Ashworth, Kirsten Uttich and new works from Heather Cornell, Tré Dumas, Sterling Harris, Molly Smith and Mark Yonally.

 

Past dances include Molly Smith's groundbreaking "Protect Trans Kids" and Mark Yonally’s “Somebody to Love,” which originally premiered in Chicago Tap Theatre’s 2016 Pride Show. As in the original production, the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus will join Chicago Tap Theatre for “Somebody to Love.”

 

There will also be two new commissions seeing the stage at this performance. Concert tap dance pioneer Heather Cornell, founding artistic director of Manhattan Tap, has set her masterpiece “Scrapple from the Apple” for CTT and local tap dancer, Tré Dumas, is creating a world premiere for this production.

Chicago Tap Theatre at 20: Tempo, Rhythm and Time features choreography by Heather Cornell, Tré Dumas, Sterling Harris, Molly Smith and Mark Yonally. Kurt Schweitz returns as the production’s Music Director and dancers for “Chicago Tap Theatre at 20: Tempo, Rhythm and Time” include Mark Yonally, Molly Smith, Sterling Harris, Sara Anderson, Heather Latakas, Molly Eder, Chris Matthews, Amber Buchanan, Liora Lahav, Michelle Haskell, Abby Cooper, Kirsten Uttich, Isaac Stauffer, Jorie Goins and Earlyn Whitehead. 

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 over 20 years.

SWEET TAP CHICAGO AT CITY WINERY MARCH 10, 2019 AT 3 AND 7 P.M.

TWO SHOWS ONLY! 

CHICAGO TAP THEATRE RETURNS TO CITY WINERY WITH 

SWEET TAP CHICAGO, MARCH 10 AT 3 AND 7 P.M.

  

A Celebration of Music and Motion as Chicago Tap Theatre Returns to City Winery with an All-new Program of Dance with Live Music hosted by Taylor Mallory

Artistic Director Mark Yonally and Chicago Tap Theatre (CTT) presents Sweet Tap Chicago Sunday, March 10 at 3 and 7 p.m. at The City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph St.  Sweet Tap Chicago is a celebration of Chicago musicians and music, with all new arrangements by Kurt Schweitz, a live jazz quintet featuring rapper/singer/host Taylor Mallory and tap dancing.  Musicians and bands to be covered include Chicago, Smashing Pumpkins, Chaka Khan, Curtis Mayfield and more. 

Doors open one hour prior to start time and the running time of the performance is one hour and twenty minutes including one short break. Tickets are $40 for reserved admission seating and may be purchased at ChicagoTapTheatre.com, by calling 800-440-8539 or at the door, pending availability. Group discounts are also available for groups of 10 or more.

New this year will be live video projection giving audiences the most intimate view of Chicago Tap Theatre they’ve ever had in its 15-year history. “We will be live-projecting the dancers on both sides of the stage, allowing the audience to see every intricate movement and better connect the sound and visuals,” said Yonally. 



“Bringing tap dance to the jazz club is important to CTT, and we couldn’t pass up an opportunity to return to City Winery, one of the premier live-music destinations in Chicago. I grew up tap dancing in the jazz clubs of Kansas City, and the connection between live music and tap dance has always been the root of my love affair with tap. This helps fulfill my young-artist dreams to make sure that even as CTT becomes associated with larger venues and grander shows, we keep one foot in the jazz club door,” Yonally continued.

He added, “The best thing about bringing back Sweet Tap Chicago for another round is that we now have the opportunity to bring back all the favorites from last year’s edition, plus my two favorite dances from Tapped for the Very First Time, and then add some all-new work to the mix. It is going to a “Greatest Hits Plus” experience, for the dancers and the audience!”

One of these pieces is going to be a brand-new all-male dancer piece, featuring the 5 men currently dancing in the Company, choreographed by Kirsten Uttich, who’s been making a name for herself as a dancemaker.

Sweet Tap Chicago will feature choreography by Mark Yonally, Kirsten Uttich and Rich Ashworth. Dancers include Mark Yonally, Jennifer Yonally, Kirsten Uttich, Isaac Stauffer, Aimee Chase, Sterling Harris,  Heather Latakas, Case Prime, Molly Smith, Bailey Caves, Anabel Watson and Chris Matthews.




ABOUT KURT SCHWEITZ

Kurt Schweitz has become one of Chicago’s most sought after bassists, “whose handsome tone anchors a billowing technique,” as stated in a recent review by Neil Tesser, author of “The Playboy Guide to Jazz.” While best known as a jazz bassist, Schweitz is a multi-genre multi-instrumentalist and composer having been playing various musical instruments since age 4. After moving to Chicago to pursue a PhD in Mathematics at the University of Chicago, Schweitz quickly become an active member of Chicago’s burgeoning music scene and has also performed internationally on stages in London, Paris, NY, at the Aberdeen Jazz Festival in Scotland, and Beijing, China. Back home, his schedule has included over 2,500 performances at venues such as the Chicago Jazz Festival, the Jay Pritzker Pavilion at Millenium Park, the South Shore Jazz and Heritage Festival, Meet the Composer, Chicago Humanities Festival, Asian-American Jazz Festival, and Milwaukee Jazz in the Park Festival. Locally, he can regularly be found at Chicago’s many jazz clubs and on dozens of local jazz and rock recordings. Schweitz regularly performs with jazz, rock, and classical groups, and his music uses these influences to contemporaneously unfold the deep roots of these musical genres into a cohesive whole. He has received an Individual Artist grant from the Illinois Arts Council and a grant from the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events to write, perform, and record original music.

ABOUT TAYLOR MALLORY

Level Next Music recording artist Taylor Mallory is creating an unprecedented R&B experience where he creates the music live on stage using a series of loops. This performance style is called looping. Comprised of smooth vocal loops, synths, and progressive drum programming, his  style is a fresh approach on Alternative R&B. Mallory has received recognition in media outlets such as JET, Wall Street Journal, So Far Sounds and singersroom.com. He has also been featured as an actor in various commercials was an on-air VJ for Akoo.  He has collaborated with or opened for artist like Mary Mary, David Banner, India Arie and performed at venues like Schuba’s, Manifest, The Double Door, Subterranean, African Festival of the Arts, and Milwaukee Brewer’s Tailgate.

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 Chicago audiences for over 10 years.

Artistic Director Mark Yonally and Chicago Tap Theatre (CTT) presents Sweet Tap Chicago Sunday, March 10 at 3 and 7 p.m. at The City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph St.  Sweet Tap Chicago is a celebration of Chicago musicians and music, with all new arrangements by Kurt Schweitz, a live jazz quintet <<<<>>>>  and tap dancing.  Musicians and bands to be covered include Chicago, Smashing Pumpkins, Chaka Khan, Curtis Mayfield and more. Doors open one hour prior to start time and the running time of the performance is one hour and twenty minutes including one short break. Tickets are $40 for reserved admission seating and may be purchased at ChicagoTapTheatre.com, by calling 800-440-8539 or at the door, pending availability. Group discounts are also available for groups of 10 or more.

HOLIDAY HITS: Chicago Tap Theatre Tidings of Tap ONE SHOW ONLY: Sunday, Dec. 9 at 3 p.m.

ChiIL Mama's Chi, IL Picks List:

CHICAGO TAP THEATRE UPDATES ITS HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR, TIDINGS OF TAP!, WHICH RETURNS TO

THE NORTH SHORE CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, DECEMBER 9

North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, IL
ChicagoTapTheatre.com
773.655.1175
Tickets: $25 - $41

Chicago Tap Theatre makes a major narrative step this year, taking Tidings of Tap! from what was once a holiday revue to a complete production with a strong structure and engaging plot. The story features an expanded role for nationally ranked rhythmic gymnast Dasha Merkulov as well as significant production values. This is the third year that CTT will return to the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, after receiving rave reviews and record-breaking attendance for the Company the previous two years. SeeChicagoDance said “It’s charming and gleeful and heart-rending at times.” Tidings of Tap! has been described by the Chicago Tribune as “undeniably charming and wholesome fun.” Tidings of Tap! is choreographed by Yonally, Kirsten Uttich, Richard Ashworth and Caleb Teicher and is a performance that captures the spirit of the holidays through joyful noise—celebrating Christmas, Chanukah, New Year’s and the winter season.



Artistic Director Mark Yonally and Chicago Tap Theatre (CTT) bring audiences live music, a touch of magic and boundless energy with the return of their annual Tidings of Tap!, a warm and wondrous celebration of tap dance and the winter season, Sunday, Dec. 9 at 3 p.m. at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, IL. Tickets range from $25 – $41 and are available now. Group discounts are also available for groups of 10 or more.
  
“This year we are structuring the show around the holiday season in a much more overt way. Beginning with that first blinding snowstorm, continuing into the warmth of Chanukah, the spirit of Christmas and the sheer joy of New Year’s Eve,” said Yonally. “Audiences will also get to see more of the amazing acrobatic skills of Dasha, who is one of the top-ranked Rhythmic Gymnasts in the country. This year they will get to see her use all of her skills in helping tell the
story and engage the audience, young and old alike,” concluded Yonally.

Children will even have the opportunity to be in the show this year, thanks to the expanding Chicago Tap Theatre Fall Intensive, which will be a two day event November 17 and 18 offering rhythm-loving kids the chance to learn technique, tap history and a short dance that will be incorporated into Tidings of Tap! CTT has been making a name for themselves in the past three years as leaders in tap dance pedagogy. “Students will always learn a mix of technique, theory, choreography, history and music knowledge at every one of our educational intensives, and at the Fall Intensive they will learn a dance they can perform in Tidings of Tap!,” added Yonally.

Now in its 16th year, Chicago Tap Theatre prides itself on breaking the mold of traditional tap dance and does the same with holiday entertainment. “Dance has the ability to bridge gaps and bring people together which is especially important at this time of year,” said Yonally. “CTT is excited to return with this holiday production, as it has become one of our favorite things seeing familiar faces and families attending year after year celebrating their holidays with us. This year audiences will feel the magic of the Holidays more than ever in Tidings’ home at the North Shore Center.”

Returning dancers for Tidings of Tap! include Mark Yonally, Kirsten Uttich, Jennifer Yonally, Dasha Merkulov, Aimee Chause, Isacc Stauffer, Anabel Watson, Chris Matthews, Bailey Caves and Sarah Owens. New to the ensemble this year are Sterling Harris, Case Prime, Heather Latakas, and Molly Smith.
The artistic team includes Mark Yonally (choreographer), Kirsten Uttich (choreographer), Kurt Schweitz (music director), Rich Ashworth (choreographer), Valerie Lussac (choreographer) and Caleb Teicher (choreographer).

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 Chicago audiences for over 10 years. 847.673.6300 or ChicagoTapTheatre.com.