Irene Chapman

It's the most wonderful time of the year, especially for the Group Rep at the Lonny Chapman Theatre, which for 38 years has provided holiday cheer for children-in-need.

It's the most wonderful time of the year, especially for the Group Rep at the Lonny Chapman Theatre, which for more than three decades has provided holiday cheer for children-in-need. Scroll down for photos from Group Rep's annual Kids Holiday Party!

It's the most wonderful time of the year, especially for the Group Repertory Theatre Company, which for more than three decades has provided holiday cheer for children-in-need.

How do you stage the performance of an amateur tap class believably? Should the big contest production number be like the finale of A Chorus Line, the way I have seen it done on the Equity stage, or should it be shown less professional, somewhat flawed, in a more play it as it comes fashion? The thing to remember about the script of Stepping Out is that it's not a musical, but a play with music and it's about a community tap class for adults - which means that most are amateurs who will learn to tap but not so well that they will go on to have a dance career! Director Stan Mazin has wisely chosen the more realistic approach, keeping his actors focused on the play and on characterization in Group rep's current production of Stepping Out onstage through March 24. For all its worth, great tapping is always fun to watch - and it's not bad here when you stop and consider that most of the actors have never tapped before their prep for this show. Urgent to keep in mind: in Stepping Out, the play's the thing, about problematic people and how they support one another. It's an ode to friendship, to community living, warts and all, and to the joy a little once-a-week evening class can bring into people's lives. Group rep's production certainly gives us all of this, while displaying miles of heart.

The Group Rep presents Richard Harris' Stepping Out directed by Stan Mazin, produced by Linda Alznauer, tonight, February 8 - March 24, 2013.

The Group Rep presents Richard Harris' Stepping Out directed by Stan Mazin, produced by Linda Alznauer, February 8 - March 24, 2013.

It's the most wonderful time of the year, especially for the Group Repertory Theatre Company, which for the past 36 years has provided holiday cheer for children-in-need.

Alpha Blair's The Conversation is set to be performed at the Black Box Theater on August 30th at 5:00pm. The performance is directed by David Eric Japka, produced by Alpha Blairin association with the Black Box Theater, and stars Irene Chapman, Lisa Kay Jennings, Joyce Johnson, and Teddy Vincent.

Alpha Blair's The Conversation is set to be performed at the Black Box Theater on August 30th at 5:00pm. The performance is directed by David Eric Japka, produced by Alpha Blairin association with the Black Box Theater, and stars Irene Chapman, Lisa Kay Jennings, Joyce Johnson, and Teddy Vincent.