When one thinks of narrative dance, the first thing to come to mind is likely either story ballet—swans, princes and evil witches frolicking through a magical, wordless realm of classical music and cutout sets—or contemporary, multi-disciplinary productions that weave storytelling, dialogue, song and other stagecraft into modern/contemporary choreography. Mark Yonally, founder of Chicago Tap Theatre, uses a more percussive medium to spin a tale. Working with poetry-slam founder Marc Kelly Smith, Yonally creates original evening-length “tap operas.” His newest work, “Time Steps” runs April 1-10 at Stage 773. Yonally explains that the show “uses time travel as a device. But emotional relationships are at the heart. As humans, we’ve lost people who we’d pay anything to have an hour with again. What would be so important to make someone want to travel back in time, and what would be the unintended consequences?”
Smith provides narration for the show, with accompaniment by jazz musician Kurt Schweitz. Billy Siegenfeld, founder/artistic director of Jump Rhythm Jazz Project and longtime supporter of Yonally and his work, directed the show—a first for CTT. (Sharon Hoyer)
Chicago Tap Theatre at Stage 773, 1225 West Belmont, (773)327-5252. April 1-10. $35 adults, $28 seniors, $23 students and industry.
