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Dance Showcase Memorializes Hines, Others
The late Gregory Hines, who passed away from cancer back in 2003, was truly a Renaissance man in the entertainment industry.
Hines tickled funny bones in comedic movies like Mel Brooks's "History Of The World, Part I" and won over the chick flick audience when he wooed Loretta Devine in "Waiting For Exhale." He was even nominated for Emmy for his guest appearances on NBC's "Will & Grace." Always cordial and sincere, Hines's viewing audience and Hollywood peers rooted for him every step of the way.
It is Hines's contributions to the medium of tap-dancing, however, for which he is remembered best, and "Thank You Gregory: A Tribute To The Legends Of Tap," which hoofs into the Eisenhower Auditorium this Friday, serves as an encomium to Hines and other dancers who brought precision, dexterity, flair and passion into a style of dance that is extremely difficult to execute well.
Hines, a New York City native, began tapping at an early age, studying under the famous Henry LeTang and dancing in showcases along his brother Maurice, and his father under the moniker "Hines, Hines, & Dad." Equally influenced by Fred Astaire and Billy "Bojangles" Robinson, Hines perfected a style of tap that was both suave and exhilarating, calculated and spontaneous. Hines, and his contemporaries, very much gave tapping a figurative voice. Not just for wowing an audience during a dance break, tap dancing could be used to convey emotions like fear, happiness, anger, or jealousy.
Under the direction of Anne Marie d’Angelo, eight performers from across the country will pay tribute too not only Hines, but his influences (Astaire, Robinson, Gene Kelly and others), his protégés (Savion Glover) and the next generation of hoofers who will no doubt continue to challenge the constraints of tap’s rules and regulations and enhance tap dancing as a vehicle for self-expression. A jazz band and archival video clips will accompany the performers, forming a loose narrative for the program and making for excellent “edutainment.”
Among the featured talent will be Chloe Arnold, Michelle Dorrance, Joshua Hilberman, Kendrick Jones, Jason Samuel Smith, Melinda Sullivan and Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards. Most promising look to be segments on “The Leading Ladies Of Tap,” a tip of the hat to the eccentric acts of old Vaudeville, and an ode to dancers who were deterred from achieving the success they deserved because of status and skin colored.
Hines had a radiant smile that was just as memorable as his fast feet. “Thank You Gregory” would no doubt leave him grinning from ear to ear.
WHERE TO SEE IT: The Eisenhower Auditorium, University Park. Friday, October 2nd. 7:30pm.
The late Gregory Hines, who passed away from cancer back in 2003, was truly a Renaissance man in the entertainment industry.
Hines tickled funny bones in comedic movies like Mel Brooks's "History Of The World, Part I" and won over the chick flick audience when he wooed Loretta Devine in "Waiting For Exhale." He was even nominated for Emmy for his guest appearances on NBC's "Will & Grace." Always cordial and sincere, Hines's viewing audience and Hollywood peers rooted for him every step of the way.
It is Hines's contributions to the medium of tap-dancing, however, for which he is remembered best, and "Thank You Gregory: A Tribute To The Legends Of Tap," which hoofs into the Eisenhower Auditorium this Friday, serves as an encomium to Hines and other dancers who brought precision, dexterity, flair and passion into a style of dance that is extremely difficult to execute well.
Hines, a New York City native, began tapping at an early age, studying under the famous Henry LeTang and dancing in showcases along his brother Maurice, and his father under the moniker "Hines, Hines, & Dad." Equally influenced by Fred Astaire and Billy "Bojangles" Robinson, Hines perfected a style of tap that was both suave and exhilarating, calculated and spontaneous. Hines, and his contemporaries, very much gave tapping a figurative voice. Not just for wowing an audience during a dance break, tap dancing could be used to convey emotions like fear, happiness, anger, or jealousy.
Under the direction of Anne Marie d’Angelo, eight performers from across the country will pay tribute too not only Hines, but his influences (Astaire, Robinson, Gene Kelly and others), his protégés (Savion Glover) and the next generation of hoofers who will no doubt continue to challenge the constraints of tap’s rules and regulations and enhance tap dancing as a vehicle for self-expression. A jazz band and archival video clips will accompany the performers, forming a loose narrative for the program and making for excellent “edutainment.”
Among the featured talent will be Chloe Arnold, Michelle Dorrance, Joshua Hilberman, Kendrick Jones, Jason Samuel Smith, Melinda Sullivan and Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards. Most promising look to be segments on “The Leading Ladies Of Tap,” a tip of the hat to the eccentric acts of old Vaudeville, and an ode to dancers who were deterred from achieving the success they deserved because of status and skin colored.
Hines had a radiant smile that was just as memorable as his fast feet. “Thank You Gregory” would no doubt leave him grinning from ear to ear.
WHERE TO SEE IT: The Eisenhower Auditorium, University Park. Friday, October 2nd. 7:30pm.