Review: Time Steps (Chicago Tap Theatre)

Time Steps

Dance isn't always happy. Look at Swan Lake, La Bayadère and Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet: all are beautiful but tragic cautionary tales of star-crossed love. This emotional weight isn't limited to ballet, as Chicago Tap Theatre aptly demonstrates in their latest original work, Time Steps . A story of time travel told through tap, carries a deep, pure message below the well-executed noise.

In his sixth collaboration with Chicago Tap Theatre, Poetry Slam creator Marc Kelly Smith spins a story of a multi-millionaire (Mark Yonally) who meets a lovely young woman (Jennifer Pfaff Yonally) while vacationing in Barcelona. They quickly fall in with a wilder couple (Kirsten Uttich and Isaac Stauffer), but soon enough the temptations of the night become overwhelming. When the multi-millionaire and his love are faced with a life-changing choice, he wonders if he can, in fact, change the past. Enter the Time Salesman (Smith), who also serves as the narrator of the piece. He offers the chance to turn back the clock, but at a hefty price in more ways than one.

is a bit like a modern-day Our Town, dealing with ordinary events that soon turn extraordinary, and the philosophical question of how much we appreciate life and love when they're actually occurring. Kurt Schweitz's original music underscores the narration and dances and lovingly supplements the story. Performed live on stage, the music adds an extra energy to the words, action and dancing, resulting in not just a show, but a full-bodied experience. Dustin Derry's flawless lighting and projection design takes characters and the audience through Europe, crazy discos and high-risk casinos, and a barrier of time that may or may not be impenetrable.

All of this would be moot without the brilliant choreography of the show's leading man and CTT Artistic Director, Mark Yonally. Each individual dance, whether a solo, duet or group piece, is a jewel on its own and a shiny puzzle piece in the interlocking world of . It's all there: light romance, deep sadness, the thrill of letting loose in a new place, the unrelenting nature of loss. If you think this can't be told, and told well, through tap dancing, Yonally's choreography will prove you dead wrong. ' ensemble, featuring company members and several guest artists, don't miss a click or a beat. Their taps are clear, music emanating from human bodies, active participants in the characters' fates.

In a recent interview with NPR, Hamilton star Leslie Odom Jr. called dance one of the most pure art forms. is living proof of this statement. It's like nothing I've ever seen: a dark, emotional account of love gone wrong, with moments of levity, clarity and wild freedom. The Chicago Tap Theatre is a gift to the local dance scene: the group is both staggeringly talented and never afraid to take a chance. With a compelling story, a stunning score and knockout choreography, is a 75-minute emotional journey that's not to be missed.

continues through April 10th at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont (map), with performances Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays 3pm & 8pm, Sundays 2pm. Tickets are $35 (seniors: $28, students: $23), and are available by phone (773-327-5252) or online through Vendini.com (check for half-price tickets at Goldstar.com ). More information at ChicagoTapTheatre.com. (Running time: 75 minutes, no intermission)

behind the scenes

Billy Seigenfeld (director), Mark Yonally (choreographer), Kurt Schweitz (original music), Sarah Lackner (production and stage manager), Dustin Derry (lighting and projection design), Emma Cullimore (costume design), Jimmy Jagos (set and prop design), Jake Reich (sound design), Josh Hawkins (photographer)

Tags: 16-0401, Aimee Chase, Andi Bissen, Aric Barrow, Billy Seigenfeld, Chicago dance, Chicago Tap Theatre, Dustin Derry, Emma Cullimore, Isaac Stauffer, Jake Reich, Jamie Salas, Jennifer Pfaff Yonally, Jessica Williams, Jimmy Jagos, Josh Hawkins, Kelsey Schlabaugh, Kirsten Uttich, Kurt Schweitz, Lauren Whalen, Leslie Odom Jr., Marc Kelly smith, Marc Smith (Narrator), Mark Yonally, post, Sarah Lackner, Sarah Owens, Stage 773, tap dancing

Category: 2016 Reviews, Chicago Tap Theatre, Dance, Lauren Whalen, New Work, Stage 773, World Premier