Chicago Tap Theatre comes to UCO Broadway Tonight stage, Oct. 5

The University of Central Oklahoma Broadway Tonight series will continue with the critically acclaimed dance company Chicago Tap Theatre in concert at 7:30pm, Oct. 5 at Mitchell Hall Theatre on UCO’s campus.           

“Chicago Tap’s artistry, their sheer brilliance of technique, makes for an exciting performance with live music on the stage and various genres blended within their show,” said Greg White, Ph.D., assistant dean of the College of Fine Arts and Design and director of Broadway Tonight.  

Making their first splash in Chicago’s dance scene in 2002, Chicago Tap Theatre outlined a mission to preserve America’s indigenous dance form and to promote dance through story-based shows. Within two years, the company garnered enough support to do a three-show season, which received acclaim for its narration skills capturing modern themes via a diverse range of music.           

“When most people think of dance incorporating a storyline, they think of ballet, yet Chicago Tap really presents some original, brilliant stories using the genre of tap,” said White.           

In its 13 years as a company, Chicago Tap Theatre has worked with composers, comic book illustrators and jazz bands throughout Chicago in addition to collaborating nationally with top names in dance and music, such as Bill Evans and The Polyphonic Spree. Chicago Tap Theatre has also performed at the Jazz Dance World Festival and Lollapalooza and remains the only tap company to be invited to perform at the New York Musical Theatre Festival.           

“Chicago Tap is so brilliant in their work and technique; they can bring excitement with improvisational jazz tapping, warmth with routines set to classical pieces and suspense with dramatic narrative arches,” White added.           

The performance will feature artistic director Mark Yonally, who spent some time teaching in Oklahoma before founding Chicago Tap Theatre. He also will present a free and open-to-the-public master class from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Oct. 5 in Room 135 of the Music building on Central’s campus. Space is limited.           

“Yonally is an insanely talented artist and the passion he has for his art form translates into enthusiasm for education of dance,” said Shannon Hurleigh, M.F.A., director of UCO’s musical theatre division and former student of Yonally.           

“Students and members of the public can both gain a lot from attending his master class and performance.”           

Tickets are $35 and may be purchased by calling the Mitchell Hall Theatre box office at (405) 974-3375 or visit www.mitchellhalltheatre.com.           

The Gayly – September 26, 2015 @ 2:35pm.