Eli Newsom kindly sent me a copy of his instructional tap dance DVD, Tap Dance Made Easy, a week ago and asked me to review it for him. I told him I’d be happy to review the DVD and post my thoughts on this blog for all of you tap dancer wannabe’s out there. I’m a beginning tap dancer (I’ve taken tap dance classes for a total of 9 weeks), and I must say that this DVD would be great for an absolute beginner.

The instructional DVD description from Eli’s website looks really, good, and I have to say that the DVD lived up to the claims…

• Easy to follow. The style of the DVD is very structured and easy to follow….each of the steps is presented in a way that makes it very easy to understand. There were several steps and combinations on the DVD I hadn’t learned yet, and I found it super easy to see, understand, and learn them.
• Easy to see. The unique way the DVD is shot (with side and back views) makes it very easy to see Eli’s feet and copy the steps. Whoever thought up that method is a genius.
• Comprehensive. The DVD covers all the basics, so you’ll have a good foundation when you complete the DVD. In fact, you’ll have a complete routine you’ll learn at the end.

I did think of one improvement that could be made…if a printed chart came with the video that had the “formulas” for each step, that would be awesome. Sometimes I find myself needing to do something and I just can’t quite remember how to do it, but if I have the step written down, that’s enough to remind me how to do it.

Anyways, this is a great instructional DVD, though. I would definitely recommend it to any beginner who wanted to learn tap dance but couldn’t take classes, or wanted something to supplement the classes. I will probably buy level two when it comes out, too!

Visit TapDanceMadeEasy.com to buy Eli Newsom’s Instructional Tap Dance DVD

It’s 8 PM on Friday, August 24th…I’m sitting in the Kimmell Center Theatre Of The Arts in Philadelphia, eagerly awaiting the show: Wicked (the national tour). Above the stage is a monstrous dragon complete with wings and a (mostly) realistic looking head.

As I’m wondering how the dragon fits in with the show, the lights dim, the crowd applauds, and the orchestra starts playing. The massive dragon begins to flap its massive wings (which look kinda like early cloth covered airplane wings)…the dragons’ eyes glow a fiery red, and a billow of smoke gusts from the dragon’s nostrils. The untold story of the witches of Oz is about to be told!

My Review Of Wicked (the tour):

I didn’t really know much about Wicked before I saw the show – I hadn’t read the book, I hadn’t heard the soundtrack much, and I hadn’t seen any clips. I had tried to see Wicked on Broadway earlier this year, but couldn’t get tickets (so I was recited that I could get tickets for the tour.) So I didn’t have any specific expectations other than what I had from the Wizard Of Oz. Those few expectations that I did have were changed pretty quickly - it didn’t take long to realize that Wicked is very different from The Wizard Of Oz.

The Plot: Wicked really changes a lot of what you thought you knew from The Wizard Of Oz. In The Wizard Of Oz, there are pretty much two clearly defined sides. There are the good guys (Dorothy, Glinda The Good, The Munchkins, etc.) then there is the evil (the two wicked witches). In Wicked, though, the plot is much more complex and arguably different. The evil witches turn out to not be so evil after all, and the good guys turn out to be not so good after all. Being a guy who loves to see the good guys beat the bad guys, I’m still not sure exactly what I think of the plot.

The Music was very good. My favorite song was “As Long As You’re Mine” a love song sung by Elphaba and her lover. In the production I saw (the U.S. Tour Cast) Elphaba was played by Victoria Matlock, who did an amazing job. It always seems that in every show I see, one actor will really grab my attention. Well, in this show, it was Elphaba / Victoria Matlock.

There was not a lot of dancing, but the dancing was well done. The special effects, lighting and such were excellent, most notably in Defying Gravity, but also in other scenes. The sets were also fabulous and highly varied. In fact, I think that the technical aspects of the show - the lights, special effects, and set design, were the most -award-worth parts of the show! That’s all I’m gonna say, though. If you want to see how great the special effects, lighta and stage sets were, you’ll just have to see it for yourself.

Conclusion: I enjoyed Wicked and would recommend it. Though I haven’t seen the broadway version, the tour was great and I believe it’s pretty much identical. Though it has some great comedy moments, it’s a musical drama/fantasy, not a feel-good song and dance musical like Hairspray or Mamma-Mia. The entire show was very well done. I personally am not 100% sure I like all the aspects of the plot, but the plot didn’t drag, and it had some good surprises, twists, and a good, surprisingly happy conclusion.

Resources:

• Buy Wicked Tour & Broadway Tickets
• Buy Wicked (2003 Original Broadway Cast) CD
• Buy “Wicked: The Grimmerie, A Behind-The-Scenes Look At The Broadway Musical”

“By the time I get through writing a score, I know the book better than the book writer does, because I’ve examined every word, and questioned the book writer on every word.” Stephen Sondheim

If you like tap dance, this post is for you! I got the chance to interview Rod Howell of UnitedTaps.com (pic at left), a tap dance teacher, choreographer, and performer, about how he got started tap dancing, plus how you too can learn how to tap dance!

Thank you Rod for sharing your knowledge with us. First things first…how did you get started in tap dancing and learn how to tap dance?

I saw Corky Pigeon tap dance on the show Silver Spoons and told my mom I wanted to do that. She had tap danced when she was younger and was only too happy to sign me up.

What journey has tap dancing taken you on? What have you done with tap dancing?

Tap dance has generally lead me everywhere in my life, though often reluctantly. I actually had a love/hate relationship with tap as I grew up. I didn’t like performing…I did like choreographing though. I started teaching at age 14 and still do today. I did competitions and conventions and all that, but my real love was choreography and teaching talented tappers. I eventually moved to California to teach for a convention. I didn’t like it, which is just as well because the company folded shortly after moved to California. I ended up getting married and continue to teach and choreograph at 3 studios in California.

How would you suggest someone new to tap dancing get started and learn how to tap dance??

I would recommend finding some local dance studios and watching a tap class. Also try to find a tap teacher with a good reputation. Tap teachers vary widely as does their style. After watching a few teach you should have a better idea of which one is right for you. I recommend finding teachers that teach terminology. Although terminology varies greatly in the tap world, it is helpful to know the names of as many steps as possible.

What are the basics of tap dance? What does one have to learn to tap dance?

The very basics are steps, stamps, heels, toes, etc. Basically you need to learn where to put your weight and when. Then you need to master the shuffle step and the flap. Those two are essentials in my opinion. Many other steps are built from them or include them.

How does tap dance compare to other styles of dance?

Aside from hip hop, I find tap to be one of the least standardized forms of dance. Not only do the names of steps vary from teacher to teacher, but the technique for their execution varies as well. This can make for a confusing experience for those learning tap for the first time. One of the best ways to deal with that is getting exposure to as many different teachers as possible. The more names of steps you know and the more techniques you know for executing them, the better you are prepared to learn any choreography from and tap teacher.

Apart from not being standardized, though, tap is the most musical dance form in my opinion. You are creating an additional “track” or “melody” on top of the music that’s already there, while trying to make the performance visually interesting as well.

OK, great. Any last words of wisdom before someone goes out to find a teacher to learn how to tap dance?

No, just try to check out more than one teacher. After a couple you’ll get a sense of what you like.

I know you run the United Taps website. Tell us about the website and what other resources you offer for tap dancers.

unitedtaps.com is the most complete free online video dictionary of tap steps in the world. There are hundreds of steps with video clips and descriptions so that anyone can learn them. I also have a series of combinations I am offering on youtube that you can subscribe to. Just go to youtube and search for Rod Howell Tap Dance or visit my YouTube videos page.

Last night I went out with a friend to see the Hairspray movie. I’d already seen it once, but he had not…I was game for seeing it again! It was just as good the second time around.

The Music is great. It’s somewhat different from the Broadway version, but not too much. The music is “feel-good” high energy music, but it doesn’t go cheesy. The singing of all the main character’s is excellent. I was especially impressed with Elijah Kelley’s (Seaweed) singing when I saw Hairspray last night.

The Acting was excellent. Zac Efron from High School Musical was the perfect choice to play teen heartthrob Link Larkin. The only contentious issue seems to be John Travolta, who played Traci Turnblad’s mom, but I thoroughly enjoyed his performance. I thought it was convincing!

The Dancing is electric! Very well choreographed, and excellently performed. The dancing is crisp and energetic, going right along with the music.

The storyline keeps moving right along, too. I never got the least bit bored, even on the second time through.

Content: I’d say PG is right for the movie. There are a few swear words, some innuendo, and some suggestive clothing and moves. Most of the authority figures are either idiots or downright evil, but Traci’s parents are positive influences, as is Motormouth Maybelle. The movie also deals quite a bit with discrimination and racial issues.

Overall, Hairspray is a great movie musical - well worth seeing if you haven’t already.

Have you seen it yet? If so, what did you think about it?

Resources:

• Buy The Hairspray CD (Soundtrack to the Motion Picture)
• Buy Hairspray Tickets