Donning clunky leather boots and plaid flannel button-downs, the "Tap Dogs" crew looks more like '90s grunge rockers than tap- dancing sensations.
But the construction-worker uniforms and Blundstones -- iconic Australian shoes with specially prepared metal soles -- are just what make "Tap Dogs" the unique "tap-dancing rock concert with jokes" it is, said Anthony Locascio, an original New York City cast member of the show.
"We dance in jeans and boots -- we're guys," Locascio said. "And it's not that campy type of show. It's fun, it's cool -- it's a lot of energy."
replica rolex Like several other members of the cast, Locascio has been dancing since childhood but couldn't find a show that fit his style until he heard about the show created by two-time Olivier Award-winning Australian choreographer Dein Perry.
Locascio started dancing while growing up in Queens, N.Y., making percussion sounds with his feet to make up for not having a drum set.
"Tap Dogs" was a perfect fit for Locascio, with its percussion music made from tap choreography and construction tools alike.
The show also includes Latin-inspired music, electronic beats, piano and keyboard, creating an array of high-punching tunes for the all-male cast.
The Australian steel town of Newcastle was creator Dein Perry's inspiration for the show. Newcastle served as his hometown and the site where he and his friends worked industrial jobs and tap-danced on the side, until Perry moved to Sydney to break into show business and eventually created the contemporary "Tap Dogs" based on his childhood experience.
"You have to be a certain kind of dancer to join this show," Locascio said. "You've got to be a little crazy."
Hooking dancers to wires, tap dancing on ladders and playing music with power tools, the guys of "Tap Dogs" keep the audience engaged, even with 80 minutes of performance without intermission.
Cast member Chris Erk said the constantly evolving set also adds to the intrigue of the show.
"We construct the set right in front of you, all in music and time," Erk said. "It's kind of like a pop-up book. The stage tag heuer replica has all sorts of layers and this opens up, then this pops up, then this goes underneath, and the set blossoms."
The unconventional style of the show doesn't include much plot or character development, but each cast member does have a persona to play out, including the foreman who is in charge of the construction site, "the enforcer," "the rat" who pokes around in other people's business and the eager new guy on the site.
"They are characters with likeable traits without really any drama," Erk said. "It's just fun and easy-going, with gags to keep it funny."
Erk said the light-hearted nature of the show makes it crucial for the cast members to get along on and off the stage.
So when the veteran tap-dancers heard they would be joining the show's tour after several years' hiatus, it was like going to a family reunion, said Erk, who left high school to tour with the show at age 15.
Now 28 years old, Erk received his high school diploma a few weeks ago, but he also has years of experience as a respected performer, teacher and choreographer behind him.
Erk has spent the past few years as a U.S. ambassador to Jordan, teaching and performing tap dance for other cultures.
