Tap – The Show
Symphony Hall, Springfield, MA
May 11th at 8pm
by Shera Cohen
Imagine being the only female vocalist in a troupe of some
of the best tap dancers currently touring the country. Now imagine singing some
of the most well-known tap numbers of the past century – “42nd Street,” “I’ve
Got Rhythm,” and “Singing in the Rain.” Then imagine performing on
Springfield’s beautiful Symphony Hall. Finally, imagine singing John Lennon’s
signature piece “Imagine,” which is also the focus of the rousing dance-music
performance “Tap – The Show.”
Maria Logan doesn’t have to imagine any of the above. This
is exactly where the 26-year-old is in her life right now. With a background in
music and dance which started at age 5, Logan especially credits one of her
first dance teachers as well as her studies in music at Belmont University in
Nashville.
Logan admits that Lennon’s work isn’t typically considered
music for tap. However, she calls it the “thesis of the show. It’s music and
rhythm all coming together as one language that we can all speak.” That’s
something wonderful to imagine.
Starting as a 30-minute gig in Hershey, PA three years ago,
“Tap” has grown into a two hour production, and in less than one year, has
already toured 45 cities.
While Logan is the singing star of the show, along with her
male counterpart, she can also tap – doing just a few steps while onstage. “I
am a little jealous when everyone else is dancing, but singing comes first for
me. We all have a part to play and I love my part in the show,” she said.
She also has double duty as the Show Captain; the person in
charge of putting out fires once on the road. She spoke of one challenge, where
the performance site’s stage was too small to accommodate “Tap’s” portable
dance floor. The entire production had to be re-blocked.
Then, there are the joys of touring. Every performance is
followed by a Meet & Greet. “So many from the audience, of all ages, talk
to us and ask questions. It’s especially nice to see anyone trying to do a
‘shuffle ball change’ [a tap move],” Logan said.
According to Logan, the tap of the MGM era has not stayed
the same through the years. “Tap” has a lengthy tribute to the old movies with
“42nd Street” as the highlight. “This show is such an inspiration. The dancers
are so versatile. They’ve opened up my eyes to new tap, called ‘street tap’ – it’s
dance that has evolved to become something fresh,” she continued.
