Founder and Director Peggy Spina has created over 100 dances for her company throughout the last 30 years, making her one of the most prolific tap choreographers on the east coast.  Writer Jennifer Dunning, of The New York Times said, "...delightful choreographic conversations... the dancers' feet chattered with wit and grace...the interplay of tap rhythms was like sophisticated repartee."  Her work has been honored repeatedly, most recently with a Flo-Bert Award from the New York City Committee to Celebrate National Tap Dance which she received in 2008, for her lifelong achievements as a master tap dancer, choreographer and producer.  Peggy was always known as an incredibly vibrant and dynamic tap performer, and joining the company again this year this description is just as true 10 years later.  Spina is strongly influenced by both her private tutoring from the great jazz tappers’ revival of the 1970’s, and her many years of study with the late, great Merce Cunningham.  These influences have enabled her to create a unique visual experience rarely found in the tap world, where dances stop and start with nuanced accuracy, and flow together into a rhythmic and visual elegance. 

Mr. Forrester, in his own right has been a world renowned, and traveled, Jazz musician for nearly 40 years.  In a December 11, 2010 article, Larry Blumenfeld of the Wall Street Journal writes, “Forrester and Johnston had created the Microscopic Septet, a wildly idiosyncratic, devastatingly accomplished ensemble that… built a small, devoted following and a big catologue of brilliant original compositions.”

This year Ms. Spina is bringing back a piece choreographed in 1993 titled “Surrender”.  She herself will join the company in two of the performances of this wonderfully exciting trio.  And her newest piece “Rejoicing in Time” being performed to Forrester’s tune ‘Flip Flop’ will also include a solo performance by Ms. Spina. 

“Stop the Music,” a surging piece of choreography.  Paired with Mr. Forrester’s forward moving cascade of a score, the dance becomes a non-stop vehicle of tightly interwoven taps.  In stark contrast is

“Evelyn’s Dream”, premiered at Spina’s 25th Anniversary Season and characterized by its 11-beats-per-measure structure and a serenity of mood and movement quality.

In a recent review in Attitude about the dance ”Where To?” Madeline Dale wrote, ”Where To?” This show went places!  Ms. Spina created slow, cool, metropolitan texture with unpredictable groupings.  The dancers never rush and could stop on a dime.”

Other company favorites on the program will include “Crystal Epitaph”, “Helen’s Heart”, “Soar”, “Jam”, “Savvy” and Buster Brown’s Laura”. This is a show and a company not to be missed!

Dancers:  Sarah Buscaino, Laura Coleman, Maya Krishnasastry, Alison Manning, Misty Owens, Peggy Spina, Kathleen Voss, Katy Wood

Musicians: The Joel Forrester Quartet
                        Dave Hofstra, bass              Vito Dieterle, sax
                        Matt Garrity, drums               Joel Forrester