Chicago Tap Theatre Presents TIDINGS OF TAP Next Month

Artistic Director Mark Yonally and Chicago Tap Theatre (CTT) bring audiences live music, a touch of magic and boundless energy with the return of their annual Tidings of Tap!, a warm and wondrous celebration of tap dance and the winter season, Sunday, Dec. 10 at 3 p.m. at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, IL. There is a press preview Wednesday, Dec. 6 at 3:30 p.m. at the Joel Hall Dance Center, 5965 N. Clark St. Tickets range from $24 - $40 and are available now at 847.673.6300 or ChicagoTapTheatre.com. Group discounts are also available for groups of 10 or more.

Chicago Tap Theatre continues to develop Tidings of Tap! from what was once a holiday revue to a more complete production with light narrative elements and higher production values. Last year saw CTT move the show to a new venue, the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, to gushing reviews and a record-breaking performance for the Company. SeeChicagoDance said "It's charming and gleeful and heart-rending at times." And last year was just the beginning. CTT will be adding new pieces, a little more narrative, and a bit more magic just in time for Chicago Tap Theatre's 15th Anniversary Season. Tidings of Tap! has been described by the Chicago Tribune as "undeniably charming and wholesome fun." Tidings of Tap! is choreographed by Yonally, Kirsten Uttich, Richard Ashworth, Valerie Lussac and Caleb Teicher and is a performance that captures the spirit of the holidays through joyful noise-celebrating Christmas, Chanukah and the winter season.

Children will even have the opportunity to be in the show this year, thanks to the expanding Chicago Tap Theatre Winter Intensive, which will be a two days event offering rhythm-loving kids the chance to learn technique, tap history and a short dance that will be incorporated into Tidings of Tap! More information on this program will be available at a later date.

Now in its 15th year, Chicago Tap Theatre prides itself on breaking the mold of traditional tap dance and does the same with holiday entertainment. "Dance has the ability to bridge gaps and bring people together which is especially important at this time of year," said Yonally. "CTT is excited to return with this holiday production, as it has become one of our favorite things seeing familiar faces and families attending year after year celebrating their holidays with us. This year audiences will feel the magic of the Holidays more than ever in Tidings' home at the North Shore Center."

ABOUT CHICAGO TAP THEATRE

Founded in 2002, Chicago Tap Theatre is a growing and vibrant dance company dedicated to preserving the quintessentially American dance form of tap while taking it to the next level of creativity, innovation and quality. CTT performs exclusively with live music provided by some of Chicago's finest musicians playing everything from Duke Ellington to David Bowie and many artists in between. Under the dynamic direction of master teacher and performer Mark Yonally, CTT has gained a loyal and sizable following in Chicago and continues to tour both nationally and internationally. Having pioneered the "tap opera" format, which tells stories with compelling characters and intriguing plots, CTT has used the language of tap dance, live music and narration to move Chicago audiences for over 10 years.

Artistic Director Mark Yonally and Chicago Tap Theatre (CTT) bring audiences live music, a touch of magic and boundless energy with the return of their annual Tidings of Tap!, a warm and wondrous celebration of tap dance and the winter season, Sunday, Dec. 10 at 3 p.m. at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, IL. There is a press preview Wednesday, Dec. 6 at 3:30 p.m. at the Joel Hall Dance Center, 5965 N. Clark St. Tickets range from $24 - $40 and are available now at 847.673.6300 or ChicagoTapTheatre.com. Group discounts are also available for groups of 10 or more.