The Tap Dance Kid

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The Tap Dance Kid

Full-Length Musical, Dramatic Comedy  /  6w, 5m

Book by Charles Blackwell
Music by Henry Krieger
Lyrics by Robert Lorick

Based on the novel Nobody's Family's Going to Change by Louise Fitzhugh

This long-running Broadway musical about a young boy pursuing his dream is a cornucopia of music, drama, comedy and – above all – tap dancing.

Image: 2022 New York City Center Production (Joan Marcus)

The Tap Dance Kid

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    6w, 5m
  • Duration
    Duration
    More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Adaptations (Literature)
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Appropriate for all audiences
Accolades
Accolades
  • Nominee: Seven 1984 Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Book

Details

Summary
The long-running Broadway musical is a cornucopia of music, drama, comedy and, above all, tap dancing. Ten-year-old Willie doesn't want to be a lawyer like his stern father. He knows he just has to dance, like his uncle and mentor, an aspiring Broadway choreographer. With determination and spunk, Willie imagines a life of fame and glory as a tap-dancing star. The exhuberant score by Robert Lorick and Henry Krieger, composer of Dreamgirls and Side Show, includes “Another Day,” “Fabulous Feet” and the show-stopping “Dance If It Makes You Happy.”
History
The Tap Dance Kid premiered on Broadway at the Broadhurst Theatre on December 21, 1983. Directed by Vivian Matalon, the production featured Hattie Winston, Samuel E. Wright, Martine Allard, Jackie Lowe, Barbara Montgomery, Alfonso Ribeiro, Alan Weeks and Hinton Battle, who won a Tony Award for his performance.
Keywords
Performing Groups

WILLIE
EMMA
GINNIE
WILLIAM
DIPSEY
CAROLE
MONA
DULCIE
DADY BATES
WINSLOW
RICHIE

  • Time Period 1980s
  • Setting New York City. 1983.
  • Features Contemporary Costumes / Street Clothes
  • Duration More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Cautions
    • No Special Cautions

Media

“Stunning, warmhearted new musical comedy.” – Christian Science Monitor

“A kick from start to finish... a fascinating grab bag of showmanship. Composer Krieger... has welded contemporary pop solidly to the traditional Broadway show tune... Kid celebrates vaudeville, pop and plain-wrapper Americana.” – South Florida Sun-Sentinel

“Stunning, warmhearted new musical comedy.” – Christian Science Monitor

ON BREAKING CHARACTER

Our Picks For The 2019/20 Season
Lawrence Haynes
January 7, 2019

Videos

  • The Tap Dance Kid: Inside the Revival youtube thumbnail

    The Tap Dance Kid: Inside the Revival

  • The Tap Dance Kid: 1984 Tony Awards youtube thumbnail

    The Tap Dance Kid: 1984 Tony Awards

Photos

  • The Tap Dance Kid

    Image: 2022 New York City Center Production (Joan Marcus)

Music

Song Samples

Overture
Another Day
Four Strikes Against Me
Class Act
They Never Hear What I Hear
Fabulous Feet
I Could Get Used to Him
Man in the Moon
Like Him
My Luck is Changing
Someday
I Remember How It Was
Tap Tap
Dance If It Makes You Happy
William's Song

Act I

“Dipsey's Coming Over” – Willie
“High Heels” – Dipsey, Carole & Dancers
“Something Better, Something More” – Dipsey
“Four Strikes Against Me” – Emma
“Class Act” – Ginnie, Dipsey & Daddy Bates
“They Never Hear What I Say” – Emma & Willie
“Dancing Is Everything” – Willie
“Crosstown” – Willie, Carole & New Yorkers
“Fabulous Feet” – Dipsey, Carole & Dancers
“I Could Get Used to Him” – Carole & Dancers
“Man in the Moon” – Dipsey

Act II

“Like Him” – Emma & Ginnie
“My Luck Is Changing” – Dipsey
“Someday” – Emma & Willie
“Dipsey’s Vaudeville” – Dipsey, Carole & Dancers
“I Remember How It Was” – Ginnie
“Lullabye” – Ginnie
“Tap Tap” – Daddy Bates & Willie
“Dance If It Makes You Happy” – Willie, Carole, Dipsey, Daddy Bates & Dancers
“William's Song” – William
“Finale: Class Act” – The Family

11 Piano-Conductor

1 Reed 1 (Alto Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute, Piccolo)
1 Reed 2 (Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet, Oboe, English Horn)
1 Reed 3 (Baritone Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute, Bass Clarinet)
1 French Horn
2 Trumpets 1 & 2
1 Trombone 1
1 Trombone 2
1 Synthesizer
1 Harp
1 Drums
1 Percussion
1 Fender Bass
1 Violins
1 Celli
  • Musical Style Classic Broadway, Jazz, Contemporary Broadway
  • Vocal DemandsModerate
  • Orchestra Size Large

Licensing & Materials

  • Licensing fees and rental materials quoted upon application.

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11 Piano-Conductor

1 Reed 1
1 Reed 2
1 Reed 3
1 French Horn
2 Trumpets 1 & 2
1 Trombone 1
1 Trombone 2
1 Synthesizer
1 Harp
1 Drums
1 Percussion
1 Fender Bass
1 Violins
1 Celli
11 Piano-Conductor
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Authors

Author

Charles Blackwell

Henry Krieger

Henry Krieger

Henry Krieger began composing for Off-Off-Broadway in his twenties. Soon, collaborations with Tom Eyen and Broadway director/producer/choreographer Michael Bennett led to a workshop production of what was originally entitled Big Dreams. After several workshops, numerous rewri ...

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Author

Robert Lorick

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