CAUTION: Men at work - TAP

Musical theatre in the twenty-first century is taking on an image often far removed from the classic musicals of the past. Innovative subject matter, deviation from traditional form and inclusion of a wider variety of musical styles all encompass the “new” musical theatre.

The element of “DANCE” has taken on a new focus as well. Culturally inspired music and rhythm shows like “Gum Shoes” celebrate music of the African tribes. “Tap Dogs” are the Australian troupe who tap in beat up old work boots, dance on a floor rigged with lights and synthesized sounds and use water as an effective percussive tool. “Stomp” takes us on a rhythmical journey through the world of the ordinary object (newspapers/kitchen sinks/garbage pails) as a means for making wonderful music.

But now, there’s a new kid on the block: “CAUTION: Men at work – TAP”.

Originally created in February of 1999 by director/choreographer/composer, Alfred Desio, this high-energy tap dance troupe of six performers leads the audience through the evolution of the tap dance medium; from the street dance common to Harlem Neighborhoods to the glitz of tap dance Broadway style. The show premiered at the California Music Theatre and is now enjoying an intensive touring schedule across North America.

Alfred Desio, one of the show’s creators, enjoys a lucrative career in the performing arts as a teacher (Colburn School of the Performing Arts), performer (numerous original Broadway productions), choreographer (Caution: Men at work – tap/Loyola Marymount University), and director (Caution: Men at work – tap/Colburn Kids Tap/L.A.). But Mr. Desio’s talents do not stop here. He is also the inventor of an electronic system of tap dancing, called Tap-Tronics, which was featured in the film, “Tap”, starring non other than tap legends Gregory Hines and Sammy Davis Junior.

With a simple, stationary set and an array of lighting techniques, “Caution: Men at work – Tap” utilizes creative choreography around the common theme of job occupations. Fire fighters tap dance with fire extinguishers that are activated as part of the rhythm of the number. Sanitation engineers use drumsticks to beat out percussive rhythms on their large green garbage drums as well as climb inside these drums to move around the stage, taking choreography to a completely new level. Yet, it is the bell- hop number, complete with the “please ring for service” bells that continues to captivate audiences from the patron of the performing arts to the professional teachers, dancers and choreographers. Cleverly, the dancers’ tap steps are synchronized with steps using the dancers’ feet to ring the bells at ever changing rhythmic intervals to create a delightful and rhythmically unique number.

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