SoundCheck10Release

For Immediate Release

Contact Audrey Ross at: AudreyRossPub@aol.com

Or call: (212) 877-3399

AMERICAN TAP DANCE FOUNDATION

PRESENTS THE SECOND ANNUAL

'SOUND CHECK'

A Tap Dance Journey

April 14-18 (Wednesday-Saturday at 8 PM; Saturday & Sunday at 2 PM) (6 perfs)

Dance Theater Workshop, 219 West 19th Street

Tickets: $25; $15 for students/seniors/children

Reservations: 212-924-0007 or www.dtw.org

(for Thursday April 15 $125 Benefit, including performance and champagne toast reception before the show, call ATDF at 646-230-9564)

Co-Direction: Brenda Bufalino and Tony Waag

Musical Direction: Bernice "Boom Boom" Brooks

Performers include: The New American Tap Dance Orchestra, Harold Cromer, Barbara Duffy and Company, Cartier Williams, middle Eastern dancer Ranya Renee, flamenco dancer Aurora Reyes

Musicians: Jonny Pieffer (piano and melodica), Charlie Tokarz (reeds), Bernice "Boom Boom" Brooks (drums), Basilio Georges (guitarist/singer)

Tony Waag, director of American Tap Dance Foundation, announces the second annual '

"SOUND CHECK," a tap concert series with the singular purpose of highlighting the vast breadth and scope of tap, from improvisation to new choreography, solo to group dances, classical to rhythm tap. With a cast of choreographers that includes Brenda Bufalino, Barbara Duffy, and Tony Waag; direction by Waag and Bufalino, and musical direction by Bernice "Boom Boom" Brooks, "SOUND CHECK" brings together the musical feet of an eclectic cast, including

THE NEW AMERICAN TAP DANCE ORCHESTRA, re-created to preserve classic

choreography of Brenda Bufalino;

BRENDA BUFALINO, a veteran tap treasure - trailblazer in the renaissance of Tap

Dance, performer/choreographer of limitless imagination and daring;

HAROLD CROMER, tap legend, known as "Stumpy" from the celebrated two-man

comedy act of "Stump and Stumpy." After dancing on the streets of Hell's

Kitchen where he was born, Cromer made his Broadway debut in the 1940

"DuBarry was a Lady" tapping to the live singing of Ethel Merman;

BARBARA DUFFY AND COMPANY, an all-female tap ensemble directed by

Duffy, veteran dancer and internationally renowned teacher of tap;

CARTIER WILLIAMS, a exceptional 20-year old tapper who has already appeared

in "Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk";

TONY WAAG, dubbed "The Pied Piper of Tap" by The New York Times. Founder/

director of American Tap Dance Foundation, performer, producer, innovator.

The evening will also feature guest appearances by Middle Eastern dancer RANYA RENEE and Flamenco dancer AURORA REYES. As always, the swingin' live music will be provided by JONNY PIEFFER on piano and melodica, CHARLIE TOKARZ on reeds, BASILIO GEORGES on guitar and vocals, and Music Director BERNICE 'BOOM BOOM' BROOKS on drums.

Tony Waag debuted his new concept, "Sound Check," last year with the goal of developing and presenting conceptual tap works - dances that use story lines or dramatic themes, involve a more theatrical process, even include singing and acting. The second annual "Sound Check" promises to stay true to Waag's concept with a program of works by Brenda Bufalino, including excerpts from her new musical theater play "The Last Rehearsal Hall," where tap, Middle Eastern, and Flamenco dancers gather to share the rooms of their broken down but beloved rehearsal hall. Rhythms and melodies drift through the walls, and old vaudevillian characters, with their dreams of the past, share the rooms with young dancers and their dreams of the future.

The program will also feature two major Bufalino revivals: "The Haitian Fight Song" and "Buff Loves Basie Blues," both created for the American Tap Dance Orchestra in the 1980's. These ensemble dances have been recreated through the generous support of American Express and the National Endowment for the Arts as part of American Masterpieces: Three Centuries of Artistic Genius.

Completing the program will be two films: the new "Footage" by Waag, and "remixed" segments from Bufalino's classic tap dance documentary "Great Feats of Feet."

Producer: Tony Waag

Associate Producers: Hjordis Linn Blanford, Tony Mayes