For those who don't know, I am a very proud member of Tap Out Loud, Wheaton College's one and only tap dancing performance group. Not to brag or anything, but it's kind of as cool as it sounds. Some might even say we're...spec-tap-ular. (*shows self out*)
Okay, I'm back, because in honor of our first week of rehearsals and my hyper-joy at dancing with some wonderful pals again, I have a mighty need to share a list of 10 great tap routines that inspire and entertain!
"Moses"
Gene Kelly and Donald O'Connor, Singin in the Rain
The tap starter pack: a pair of tap shoes, a raincoat, an umbrella, and a streetlamp to hang off of. Thank Gene Kelly for that classic image, and for the timeless film that image has come to embody. While the actual title routine from Singin' in the Rain is also nothing short of perfect, another one of my favorite numbers from the movie is this high-energy sequence from Don and Cosmo. It's kind of strange, but hey, they get all their taps and their vowel sounds in!
"Piano Man"
Zack Everhart and Aaron Turner, So You Think You Can Dance
Anthony Morigerato -- SYTYCD's go-to tap choreographer, for good reason -- created this gem of a piece for season 11 of the hit show. Featuring contestants Zack and Aaron, this routine takes a song that not many would think of for tap (Billy Joel's "Piano Man") and crafts it into a memorable, technically stunning few minutes of pure joy.
"Formation"
Chloe Arnold and the Syncopated Ladies
If you want to see some ***flawless dancing, look no further than Chloe Arnold's tap dance band, the Syncopated Ladies. "Formation" is their latest viral hit, acclaimed by Queen Bey herself, and it's not hard to figure out why. I dare you not to feel empowered by the end of this routine.
"Anything Goes"
Sutton Foster and the Cast of Anything Goes
The title number from the Broadway revival of Anything Goes -- choreographed by Tony-winner Kathleen Marshall -- has become nothing short of iconic. Sutton Foster is arguably one of the best tap performers in the Broadway community, and this routine is the first reason why. For further viewing, I also strongly encourage you to check out Jonathan Groff (of Hamilton fame)'s re-enactment of this number. Both versions are modern marvels in their own way.
Savion Glover
I only need to say his name, because anything he touches (or rather, taps) is genius. He is, undeniably, the king of contemporary tap. For proof, check out this clip of him just improvising. It might seem lengthy, but once he starts, you can't take your eyes off of him. It's mesmerizing from beginning to end.
"King of New York"
The Cast of Newsies
Newsies is one of my favorite musicals of all time, in no small part for its Tony-award winning choreography from Christopher Gattelli. The memory of seeing "King of New York", its Act 2 opener, live years ago never fails to make me happy.
"Walk Like an Egyptian"
Emma Hellenkamp and Gaby Diaz, So You Think You Can Dance
This past season on SYTYCD welcomed performers of "The Next Generation", from ages 8-13. One of the members of the top 10 this year was Emma, a 10-year-old tapper with crazy skills. Partnered with season 12 winner Gaby Diaz, this pair churned out week after week of amazing tap numbers that became routine for me to look forward to each week. This particular number of theirs is my favorite; the lighting, the rhythms, the song -- everything is just awesome.
"Stormy Weather"
The Nicholas Brothers
Consistently considered among the best tap dancing scenes ever captured on film (including, even, by Fred Astaire himself), this mind-blowing routine from the Nicholas Brothers never ceases to amaze. I wish I could descend a staircase as flawlessly as they do.
"A Tap Dance"
Richard Gere, Chicago
Another great movie with some great dancing, and the Oscars to match. Chicago is stylistically masterful, featuring a unique dialogue between realistic sets and surrealistic vaudeville stage numbers that compliment the action of the story. In this particular scene, Billy Flynn tries to finagle his way to greatness in Roxie's courtroom defense, resulting in some hardcore tapping -- on and offstage.
"Swing Time"
Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire
There's only one duo to finish off this list. Rogers and Astaire are pretty much as untouchable as they come in the world of tap, and in dancing in general. As the old saying goes, the proof is in the tapping.
BONUS: "Sweet Dreams"
Tap Out Loud, Wheaton College
Okay, one more. THIS is the only group to finish off this list :).
