Sal Sees "Tappin' Through Life"

Saturday night Sal and I went with two of our friends to see Tappin' Through Life at the Cleveland Play House.  I heard about the show while listening to the local NPR station.   (I'm now pausing for the "I heard it on NPR jokes!")

This photo was taken from my seat before the show began.  We were in the front row of the balcony -- wonderful seats.  Sal is sitting on the balcony rail, which was wide and flat enough for her to pose on.  I was only a little nervous about the possibility of her falling on the people below.  Such a tumble could have been catastrophic for Sal -- and for the person (or persons) she conked on her way down.

Tappin' Through Life -- written and starring Maurice Hines -- tells its story through touching words and wonderful songs.  It takes the audience from the beginning of the Hines Brothers' remarkable career -- when they were only three and five-years-old -- through their time as a dancing team.  The show is in many ways a tribute to Maurice's brother,  Gregory Hines, who passed away in 1993 -- and to their parents.  It is truly moving and supremely entertaining.

Maurice has a lovely voice and it was a joy to listen to his interpretations of the songs that touched him throughout his life.  He was backed up by an all-female jazz orchestra -- The Divas.  Pretty great stuff.  And there is fabulous dancing!  Maurice has still got it at age 70.  The show also features some amazing young dancers:  The Manzari Brothers and Grace Cannady.

Beautiful old songs wonderfully performed + boffo tap dancing = a winning combination.  I left the theater feeling like a million bucks!

Clevelanders know that a giant chandelier was recently installed over an intersection at Playhouse Square, and this was my first time to see it live and in person.  It is truly huge!  We had attempted a photo before the show, but thought the chandelier might show up better in the dark.  As we left the theater, though it still wasn't dark.  (Hooray for long summer evenings!)  We weren't going to wait around on the street corner for darkness to come, so I took the following shot.

David and Tom (holding Sal) with the giant chandelier.  No worries -- I didn't ask them to stand in the middle of the street.  Thanks, Tom, for suggesting this angle.  You were right about the black building making the lighted chandelier stand out.

Go see Tappin' Through Life if you have the chance.  You will not regret it!