The Tap Dance Kid

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The Tap Dance Kid
Music Henry Krieger
Lyrics Robert Lorick
Book Charles Blackwell
Based upon Louise Fitzhugh novel Nobody's Family is Going to Change
Productions 1983 Broadway

The Tap Dance Kid is a musical based on the novel Nobody's Family is Going to Change. It was written by Charles Blackwell with music by Henry Krieger and lyrics by Robert Lorick. Directed by Vivian Matalon with musical staging and dances by Danny Daniels, it featured Hinton Battle, Hattie Winston, Martine Allard, and Alfonso Ribeiro as Willie.

Contents

[edit] Production

The musical opened on Broadway on December 21, 1983 at the Broadhurst Theatre and ran until March 11, 1984 due to layoffs. On March 27, 1984 it resumed performance at the Minskoff Theatre, closing on August 11, 1985, with a run of 669 performances. Reviews were mixed; a reviewer for The New York Times praised the choreography and many actors' performances but saw the plot as "earnest [but] plodding" and the music forgettable.[1]

[edit] Synopsis

The title character, Willie, comes from an upper middle class African-American family. He dreams of becoming a dancer but faces opposition from his father, a lawyer. The second act is devoted to Willie's imaginations of stardom.

[edit] Songs

Act 1
  • Another Day — Ginnie, Emma and Dulcie
  • Four Strikes Against Me — Emma
  • Class Act — Ginnie, Dipsey and Daddy Bates
  • They Never Hear What I Say — Emma and Willie
  • Dancing Is Everything — Willie
  • Crosstown — Willie and New Yorkers
  • Fabulous Feet — Dipsey, Carole and Dancers
  • I Could Get Used to Him — Carole and Dancers
  • Man in the Moon — Dipsey
Act II
  • Like Him — Ginnie and Emma
  • My Luck Is Changing — Dipsey
  • I Remember How It Was — Ginnie
  • Someday — Emma and Willie
  • Lullabye — Ginnie
  • Tap Tap — Daddy Bates, Willie and Dipsey
  • Dance if It Makes You Happy — Willie, Dipsey, Daddy Bates, Carole and Dancers
  • William's Song — William
  • Class Act (Finale) — The Family

[edit] Awards and nominations

Tony Awards
  • Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Hinton Battle) (winner)
  • Best Choreography (Danny Daniels)(winner)
  • Best Musical (nominated)
  • Best Book of a Musical (nominated)
  • Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Martine Allard) (nominated)
  • Best Direction of a Musical (nominated)
Drama Desk Award
  • Best Featured Actor (Battle) (nominated)

[edit] References

  1. ^ Rich, Frank. A Boy And His Dreams In 'Tap Dance Kid'. The New York Times. December 22, 1983. Retrieved November 24, 2006.

[edit] External links