Theater Online - New York Theater Reviews

Call it a lively outdoor original musical comedy. Call it a political satire with music. Call it guerrilla theater. Call it Theater for the New City's annual summer gift to neighborhoods of the Big Apple. Call it an afternoon theatrical romp that can make you groove, make you laugh, make you think, make you cheer and/or boo and make you seriously think about being at the voting booth on the next Election Day.

"Tap Dance," with a "rainbow" cast of 30 young actors and professional artists of various ages, will be having free performances in each of the five boroughs on Saturday and Sunday afternoons until September 17th. Five musicians help to enliven the didactic festivities, written and directed by Crystal Fields with music composed and arranged by Joseph Vernon Banks.

Press material states "Tap Dance" is ". . . inspired by the Patriot Act and other government shenanigans that have been taking away our freedoms to protect our liberties." But the play takes aim at criticizing much more: broad interpretations of eminent domain, the anesthetic effects of the ubiquitous electronic age, homeland security funding, appropriations of monies for education, our immigration policies and the U.S. presence in Iraq.

In an entertaining fashion the dramatic vehicle, which wastes no time in getting to the issues, is a somewhat fantastical and metaphorically spiced tale about The Kid (multi-talented Craig Meade) going on a journey in which he encounters a myriad of characters and animated object, which help him become "liberal-mindedly" enlightened. Some of the audience's favorites were The Mexican (a vibrant Primy Rivera), ex-baseball played Uke Johnson (a smooth Mark Marcante), The Statue of Liberty (an appealing Crystal Field) and Cat (an adorable Taylor Borodavka). Nevertheless, the joy of the piece is achieved through the spirited efforts of the entire ensemble, as well as by the varied and creative costumes, the eclectic choreography and the unique sets, which use painted flats and "cranky," a huge running screen depicting different locations.

The most moving and resonant parts of the production for me were an extended scene which illustrates how different peoples (Irish, Russian Jews, Italians, . . . ) immigrated to the United States along with the song "We Don't Want a Wall" and a concluding number where the entire cast sings "Bring 'Em Home."

"Tap Dance" certainly does a fine job of raising one's consciousness with regard to many of the problems facing our great nation. Each of the issues being accentuated should be addressed and a correct course of action should be taken. I just wish that could be as easily done as said.