Theater
Stepping Out
Presented by Repertory Philippines
April 1 to 24
OnStage, GreenBelt 1, Ayala Center, Makati City
REPERTORY PHILIPPINES presents the final play of its 79th season, a mini musical called Stepping Out.
This good-natured comedy written by Richard Harris concerns eight people from disparate backgrounds and with differing motivations who attend the same weekly tap dancing class in a dingy church hall. Despite the students at first treating the classes as social occasions, and showing little coordination, they later develop a level of skill and cohesiveness.
Maxine, a confident, fast-talking saleswoman (and former Ovaltine dancer), is there on doctor’s orders, while self-sacrificing Andy participates because it is the only thing she does for herself. Whatever the cause, they make a point of coming every week to chat, relax and, if they can manage to, learn a couple of dance steps.
Led by Mavis, their eternally patient instructor, a “has-been” Broadway performer who starts teaching tap, and accompanied by the acerbic pianist Mrs. Fraser, the group of misfit students (who range from hopeless to competent) strive to master the basics of dance. But the steps and routines are just the background for the real focus of the play — the relationships and interactions of these very different people.
Most of the actors in this lively musical comedy are upper level Repertory actors and performers many of whom have won theatrical awards, specifically Bituin Escalante, Joy Virata, Shiela Francisco and Natalie Everette.
Also in the play are EJ Villacorta, David Shawn Delgado, Christine Flores, Raymund Concepcion, Cara Barredo, Sarah Facuri and Angela Padilla.
Directed by Jaime Del Mundo and choreographed by Rose Borromeo, Stepping Out features lyrics by Mary Stewart-David and music by Denis King.
The play’s writer, Richard Harris, says the inspiration for the play came from his late wife, Hillary Crane, who was a dancer, and suggested he visits a dance class for inspiration write a play. He went to the local church hall and happened to see a tap class in session. Stepping Out won the award for best comedy in 1984 in the UK. Years later, Liza Minelli appeared in the movie version.
Tickets available at TicketWorld (891-9999, www.ticketworld.com.ph) and Repertory Philippines (843-3570; www.repertoryphilippines.ph). If audience members bring a friend who has never been to the theater before to a Saturday Matinee, the friend comes in at 50% off.
