By Davy James, Staff Writer
MONROE — The trailblazers of tap soon will be bringing a cornucopia of thumping rhythm, dizzying displays of dancing artistry and the clicking-clacking sounds of dozens of tap shoes to Monroe.
The Richard P. Marasco Center for the Performing Arts at Monroe Township High School, located on Perrineville Road, will host Tony Waag’s Tap City Tour on Saturday, Feb. 23.
Mr. Waag founded the American Tap Dance Foundation, and the tour showcases some of the best performers from the annual New York City Tap Festival.
”The performance will feature a number of different well-known dancers,” said Cultural Arts Commissioner Nancy Gunkelman. “It will feature multiple generations of dancers and highlight innovative original material.”
The show will feature two-well known tap dancers who are in their 80s, according to Ms. Gunkelman.
Harold Cromer, whose 50-year career has included night club gigs with performers such as Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra and Billie Holliday, will be dancing in the event. He will perform along with Mable Lee, nicknamed The Queen of the Soundies, who appeared in more than 100 films and has performed with Fats Waller and Cab Calloway.
”It’s incredible to see two people who’ve been doing song and dance their entire lives still doing it at age 80,” Ms. Gunkelman said. “People will be bowled over by their performance.”
Other performers scheduled to appear include musical director Bernice Brooks, dancers Barbara Duffy, Kendrick Jones, jazz pianist Theo Hill and Derick Grant, who performed in “Bring in ‘Da Noise, Bring in ‘Da Funk.” The show will also feature tributes to many famous MGM musicals and a tribute to famed tap dancer/actor Gregory Hines.
”This show will feature a highly proficient group of experts in tap dancing and song,” Ms. Gunkelman said. “For anyone who wants to witness tap-dance artistry, this show sets the standard of excellence in the industry.
The show will begin at 7 p.m. and tickets are $15 for general admission, $12 for patrons, and free for students with a valid ID, but students still must obtain tickets ahead of time. Tickets are available at the Monroe Township Senior Center in the township municipal complex.
