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The first time I saw Savion Glover was in Jelly's Last Jam with Gregory Hines. I think I was twelve at the time and he probably was the same age. For a twelve year old to hold his own with Gregory Hines, that young man had to be someone special. Twenty years later, Savion Glover is not just a special dancer he is spectacular. I must preface this blog by saying I am not a huge fan of tap dancing...maybe it was because I was not allowed to take tap classes as a kid (mom was concerned about the constant sound of tap shoes on her kitchen floor!) or maybe because most muscials with tap in it are pretty cheesy but Savion Glover's show at the Joyce last night was not your typical tap show. It reminded me more of STOMP then 42nd Street.
Savion is an amazing athlete. He danced for a good two hours straight with one 20 minute intermission. The one word to describe his dancing is passionate. It is mesmerizing to watch him and he rarely moves around the stage...his dancing was contained to a square piece of wood maybe 8X8 feet but he worked his space and the energy exuded all the way out from his fingertips. Let's also talk about his smile, it is infectious. He truly looks like he is loving every minute of performing and has a deep admiration and respect for his fellow hoofers and musicians. This show was not so much a visual performance but a musical performance. Savion and his fellow hoofers became a part of the band that was on stage and without the tapping, the music would not have been complete. The show also featured an amazing flamenco dancer and singer. The idea of tap and flamenco together is so brilliant since they do parallel each other in so many ways. Great concept. Did I mention Savion taps on his toes for a good two minutes without ever coming down. Speaking as a 6 year pointe dancer...holy #$#$! I was ready to get down on my knees and do the "I am not worthy" right then and there.
I have to admit that I was ready for the show to end and the second act did drag a bit. The last number felt like it went on way too long and I found myself looking at my watch. I am going to attribute this to the fact that I am not a huge fan of tap and not a musician. For those who love this genre of dance and are fans of percussion and latin flavored music, that last number would probably be enjoyable, but for me, at some point it just became noise and I was hoping it would end soon. At the end of the show, I had a deep respect and admiration for Savion Glover but at the same time I was all tapped out!
Savion's show plays for another week at the Joyce and his performance should not be missed! He was a brilliant dancer at age 12 when I saw him years ago, but now years later, he is a gifted master artist and has taken the genre of tap to a performance level you will never see anywhere else.
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Reply #1 on : Fri March 20, 2009, 20:24:45