Tony Tuesday: THE TAP DANCE KID

We’re highlighting a lesser-known gem on this week’s Tony Tuesday with the 1983 musical, The Tap Dance Kid.

The original cast performed the impressive dance number ‘Fabulous Feet’ at the 1984 Tony Awards, which you can watch below.

The Tap Dance Kid has a book by Charles Blackwell, music by Henry Krieger and lyrics by Robert Lorick. It is based on the novel Nobody's Family Is Going To Change by Louise Fitzhugh.

The “kid” of the title is 10-year-old Willie, who longs to be a tap dancer like his Uncle Dipsey. Unfortunately, his father William is determined that Willie won’t waste his time with dancing and will follow in his own footsteps and become a lawyer. Meanwhile, Willie’s sister Emma, who does want to be a lawyer, is ignored by their father. The show follows the family as they struggle to understand each other, and still hold onto their dreams.

The Tap Dance Kid opened on Broadway on 21 December 1983 at the Broadhurst Theatre, and later transferred to the Minskoff Theatre, running for 669 performances in total. Directed by Vivian Matalon, it featured choreography by Danny Daniels, and starred Hinton Battle as Dipsey, Samuel E. Wright as William and Martine Allard as Emma. Willie was played by a young Alfonso Ribeiro, who would later become famous for a different type of dancing as Carlton in The Fresh Prince of Bel Air!

After the Broadway run, there was a US National tour in 1985 and 1986 but since then, the show has rarely been performed, and is still yet to play the West End. This year, however, New York City Center mounted a revival as part of its Encores! Season. It ran from 2-6 February 2022, was directed by Kenny Leon and starred Joshua Henry, Trevor Jackson, Shahadi Wright Joseph and Alexander Bello.

The original Broadway cast recording of The Tap Dance Kid is available to stream online.

FACTS:

Music: Henry Krieger

Lyrics: Robert Lorick

Book: Charles Blackwell

Theatre: Broadhurst Theatre

Run: 21 December 1983 - 11 August 1985 (669 performances)

TONYS:

NOMINATED: Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical - Charles Blackwell, Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical - Samuel E. Wright, Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical - Martine Allard, Best Direction of a Musical - Vivian Matalon

WON: Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical - Hinton Battle, Best Choreography - Danny Daniels