OXFORD, Miss. – Eight of the country’s most talented young tap dancers will celebrate American youth culture in a contemporary and uplifting performance April 30 at the Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts.
“Tap Kids is one of the most dynamic and gifted young tap dancing companies touring the country today,” said Norm Easterbrook, Ford Center director. “Their vitality is invigorating, their creativity and drive inspiring in this thoughtful production.”
The show is set for 8 p.m. General admission is $12 and admission for children under 18 is $6. Tickets are available by calling 662-915-7411, by visiting the UM Box Office in the Student Union from noon to 4 p.m. weekdays or the Ford Center Box Office from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, or by going to http://www.olemiss.edu/depts/
Tap Kids features a series of musical vignettes that illustrate the challenges faced by a group of high school kids while preparing for a big school dance. It follows the students during their last months at school as they await graduation and imminent adulthood. The show has an original score by Philip Stern and choreography by Lisa Hopkins.
Tap Kids earned rave reviews for its run at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland in August 2009, including the first five-star review of the entire festival. Other performance highlights include a star-studded gala for the Queen of Holland at The Royale Theatre Carre in Amsterdam, three tours of The Netherlands, a national television spot on the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon and working with children at Paul Newman’s Hole in the Wall Gang Camp.
Easterbrook promises that the show will entertain.
“Featuring some of the most gifted young tap dancers in today’s performing world, this performance will have something for everyone,” he said. “I can’t think of a better way to bring our performance season to a close. We hope that everyone will come out to celebrate a successful year with us.”
For a video of Tap Kids or for more information on upcoming Ford Center events, go to http://www.olemiss.edu/