"Tap Dogs," described as "a wholesale reinvention" of tap dance for the '90s that's "part theatre, part dance, part rock concert and part construction site," arrives at the Hawaii Theatre beginning in late October. Tapping into
a hot experienceAccording to the Tap Dogs web site, the group will perform eight shows a week in Hawaii Oct. 14 through Nov. 2, although the production's publicist in Hawaii declined to confirm these dates.
The official announcement is expected Thursday at a news conference at the Hawaii Theatre led by presenter Ronald Andrew of Eagle Eye Entertainment of Toronto, Canada -- and Sarah Richards of the Hawaii Theatre.
Andrew, who brought "CATS," "Les Miserables," "Phantom of the Opera," "Grease" and "Stomp" to Hawaii, was not immediately available for comment.
"Stomp" performed at the Hawaii Theatre last December.
Prior to the Hawaii performances, "Tap Dogs" will perform in Los Angeles Sept. 2-Oct. 5. The group also is slated to appear on the "Tonight Show" on Sept. 8.
"Tap Dogs" grew out of choreographer Dein Perry's experiences as an industrial mechanic in Newcastle, Australia, and his collaboration with designer Nigel Triffitt and composer Andrew Wilkie.
In Tasmanian-made work boots and jeans, an athletic sextet constructs intricate rhythms on what has been described as "an ingenious steel and wood set in a 90-minute rough, tough and rocking spectacular."
"Tap Dogs" debuted in Sydney, Australia, in January 1995. Since then the production has toured Australia and the United Kingdom twice -- including an appearance at the Edinburgh Festival -- and as of last March had played in 10 countries and 75 cities.
The 1997-98 tour will take "Tap Dogs" to more than 150 cities.
There are now three companies of "Tap Dogs": the original company, which will perform in Los Angeles and in Honolulu; the Australian company, which is led by Sheldon Perry and is touring Australia, Korea and China; and the United Kingdom company.
By Tim Ryan, Star-Bulletin