Generation Tap
In 2003 Group Theatre Too, a theatre collective in Manhattan, formed a new tap company, Generation Tap which creates "tap theatre", a mix of song, scene and tap dance to be used in performances and dance education. The company's mission is to celebrate cross-generational teachers as well as the hand-me-down tradition of the trade. Generation Tap is "never skipping a beat."
The four founding members of Generation Tap include: Broadway, film and television veteran Michael Blevins, whose credits range from "The Tap Dance Kid," "Bring Back Birdie" and "Little Me" on Broadway to the films "Chaplin," Woody Allen's "Zelig" and Mark in Richard Attenborough's "A Chorus Line." Blevins trained under Mallory Graham, Danny Daniels, Bettye Morrow and continued handing down the torch by guest instructing at Broadway Dance Center as well as training Savion Glover, Alfonso Ribeiro, Dule Hill, Melissa Errico and Jimmy Tate.
The next "generation" of Generation Tap is Justin Boccitto, New York tap choreographer, performer and instructor with credits including The Juilliard School, Circle in the Square Theatre School and currently at Astoria Dance Centre in Queens. Justin trained extensively under Blevins and continued his training with Bettye Morrow in New York.
Following him in the company are Nicky Romaniello, graduate of La Guardia's High School for the Performing Arts and 16 year old, Eddy Francisco. Both also trained extensively under Blevins. Nicky Romaniello teaches tap at the Centenary Young Performer's Workshop and Francisco had his first private student at age 13.
Completing the company is tap master Bettye Morrow acting as Senior Artistic Advisor. Bettye is a protégé of Leslie "Bubba" Gaines of The Copasetics and her credits include International and Broadway fame having danced with the likes of Gene Kelly and Sammy Davis Jr. She has instructed tap at Broadway Dance Center in Manhattan for 22 years.
Generation Tap functions as a training ground for young talent and the future of tap dancing. Current students include children and professionals from all around the country including 13 year-old Sean Fosse-Greiner, grandson of the legendary Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon. Since its' incarnation Generation Tap has appeared Off-Broadway at Tap City: The New York City Tap Festival, performing a tribute to Bettye Morrow, as well as performing at the United Nations, Circle in the Square, Queens Theatre in the Park and recently at the Tap Extravaganza to celebrate National Tap Dance Day. Generation Tap also works in public/private schools and theatre troupes creating tap dance/musical theatre residencies, providing teaching artists and performing "The All-American Showman," a turn-of-the-century history musical featuring the music and tap dance of legendary "song & dance man" George M. Cohan. Currently Generation Tap is developing the new tap show Count To Ten, a book musical co-written by Blevins featuring plenty of tap dancing and a cross-generational cast.
For more information about Generation Tap and Group Theatre Too, call 212-665-0360 and please visit www.grouptheatretoo.org.
Pictured: Bettye Morrow,
Senior Artistic Advisor;
Generation Tap Members
Michael Blevins; Justin Boccitto;
Nicky Romaniello; Eddy Francisco