Dancers Over 40 Presents TAP! Part Two! Honoring the Rockettes & June Taylor Dancers Tonight

TAP!, Part Two! continues Dancers Over 40's examination of the art form that America loves. For those watching TV in the mid 50's, 60's and 70's, choreographer June Taylor was the lady with the precision dance team seen on the Ed Sullivan and Jackie Gleason shows on a weekly basis. Her dancers personified ensemble dancing, doing tap, jazz and even an occasional ballet. And because of the national reach of television, America was able to view a style of professional dance previously left to those who only could afford to go to NYC to see a Broadway show... or The Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall.

DO40 produced a panel on the Radio City Music Hall Corps de Ballet in 2009, and thought it was time to take on the "other side of the stage," - The Rockettesthemselves. This evening's panel and performance features over a dozen June Taylor Dancers and Rockettes, and celebrates the work of the Ensemble, including a rousing Act I live performance of "Go Into Your Dance" from 42nd Street, with many from the original Broadway company. Featured performers include Lee Roy Reams, James Dybas, Kathy Callahan and Karen Calloway. Mercedes Ellington, Karen Prunzik, Gene Foote and Jane DeFalco discuss their years with June Taylor, moderated by Lee Roy Reams. And The Rockettes, well, their stories could take us to TAP! Part Three! The Rockettes on hand include Mary Six Rupert, Trudy Carson Sales, Jean Preece, Jennifer Jiles, Joyce Nolen, Maryellen Scilla, Sandy Scilla, Lillian Colon, Eileen Woods, Judy Little, Ann Murphy and Dottie Bell, many of whom are also members of Dancers Over 40, moderated by Harvey Evans. Also featured, two very young tappers (learning from the pro's!): 9-year-old Luke Spring(featured in Christmas Story on Broadway last season) and 14-year-old Gabriela Zucckero, direct from Pittsburgh and Karen Prunzik's dance studio. Teachers are a very important component here and will also be featured in a panel discussion moderated by Tony Vaag, and include Mary Jane Houdina, Crystal Chapman, Lynn Schwab, Linda Rose Iennaco and Lars Rosager. There will also be a performance from Linda Rose Iennaco's tap troupe, with Kathy Conry, Barbara Massey and Linda herself!