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Tap Dogs

Men at work: Tap Dogs take Toronto by storm with an industrial-style dance show

By Lauren Gillett • September 27, 2012

Presented by Theatre Management Associates in association with Dein Perry Productions
Original design and direction by Nigel Triffitt
Music composed by Andrew Wilkie

Now playing for a short run at the Royal Alexandra Theatre, Dein Perry’s Tap Dogs puts a modern, masculine spin on a classic dance form. Featuring a group of male performers in modified Blundstone boots (Blunnies in Australia), this testosterone-charged production is set on a moving construction site (by designer/director Nigel Triffitt), where the lads leap and stomp, executing a series of astonishing challenges, including dribbling a basketball and composing music, all to the rhythm of non-stop tapping.

The show first premiered at the Sydney Theatre Festival in 1995, and has since gone on to win 11 international awards for its entertaining approach and unique staging. On the Toronto leg of the North American tour, the troupe is made up of eight dancers: Anthony Joseph Russo (the lead), James Doubtfire, MacKenzie Greenwell, Donovan Helma, Anthony Locascio, Dominic Mortezadeh, Chaise Rossiello and Matt Saffron, with Stephen Ferradino on percussion. While all of the performers display remarkable skill, Russo’s phenomenal footwork stands out as truly awe-inspiring.

Sparks fly (literally) in Tap Dogs as the performers work with steel, before slipping into rainboots and splash dancing around in troughs of water. People in the front rows beware: you will get sprayed. But not to worry, complimentary ponchos are distributed for the wet and wild finale.

Catch this entertaining show until September 30 at the Royal Alexandra Theatre. Visit mirvish.com for more information and to buy tickets.

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