 Thank You, Gregory!
A Tribute to the Legends of Tap
Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation
ArtsCONNECT tour
2009-10
 This tour of Thank You, Gregory! A Tribute to the Legends of Tap is made possible by a grant from Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts Regional Touring Program.
 Thanks in part to grants from the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation’s ArtsCONNECT program, an exciting three state tour of Thank You, Gregory! will honor the late, great, American dancer, Gregory Hines. The vibrant two-hour multi-media production features eight world-class professional tap dancers and three gifted jazz musicians, taking the audience on an experiential tour through the history of American percussive dance. In addition to the dazzling performances of the dancers and musicians, the show’s multi-media projections and narrative assist in creating an exhilarating journey through the history of tap dance. Film stills and archival footage of the legendary hoofers honored in the show are enhanced by live narration that helps to tell the story of the evolution of tap dancing from the early 20th century to the present.  Although the program pays key tribute to Mr. Hines, the show also focuses on various American tap legends from throughout the decades. These tributes are divided into six distinct segments. Kings of Tap honors Fred Astaire, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, John Bubbles, Gene Kelly, and the Nicholas Brothers. The Leading Ladies of Hollywood segment pays tribute to Ruby Keeler, Ann Miller, Eleanor Powell, and Juanita Pitts. Eccentric Dancers venerates Ray Bolger, Donald O'Connor, and Hal Leroy. Concert Dancers recognizes Dr. Jimmy Slyde, Chuck Green, Bunny Briggs, and Paul Draper, while the Pioneering Women in the 1970’s segment focuses on recent performers such as Brenda Bufalino. Finally, Unsung Hoofers draws attention to those who were often overlooked in the industry due to race, gender, and social circumstance.  The top-notch artistic team is headed by distinguished names from the world of dance. The production is written, choreographed, and staged by Tony Waag, Artistic/Executive Director of the American Tap Dance Foundation (ATDF) in New York City, while former Joffrey Ballet principal dancer Ann Marie De Angelo acts as Artistic Director. The ArtsCONNECT tour of Thank You, Gregory! begins in September 2009 and ends in mid April 2010. Nine total presenters in the states of Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia will participate. Presenters have planned a wide-ranging schedule of supporting outreach programs in order to enhance this celebration of tap dance and its distinction as an American art form.
Photo Credit for Thank You, Gregory!
Gregory Hines with shoes: Rose Eichenbaum Photos of Ann Miller, The Nicholas Brothers and Fred Astaire: Courtesy the Collection of the America Tap Dance Foundation
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