Chicago Tap Theatre presents CHANGES Today

Artistic Director Mark Yonally and Chicago Tap Theatre (CTT) are proud to present Changes, a science fiction tap dance story show set to all-new arrangements of the music of David Bowie, directed by Harrison McEldowney, based on an original show created by Chicago Tap Theatre, choreography by Yonally with musical arrangements and direction by Kurt Schweitz, June 30 - July 16, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. Opening night is Friday, June 30 at 7:30 p.m. The performance schedule is Fridays and Saturdays 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets are $37 for adults, $30 for seniors and $23 for students and dancers. Group discounts are also available. For tickets, go to ChicagoTapTheatre.com or call the Stage 773 box office at 773.327.5252. A preview rehearsal is open to the press by request at the Joel Hall Dance Center, 5965 N. Clark Street.

This is Chicago Tap Theater's third remount of Changes and is an homage to the science fiction serials of the 1940s, revisited through the music of David Bowie and the medium of Tap Dance. From the creative team behind Time Steps (chosen as a top dance event of 2016 by the Chicago Sun-Times, Dance Magazine, and SeeChicagoDance.com) comes this science fiction tale of aliens, fame-hungry despots, unforgettable tap dancing and the power of Bowie. In Changes, Chicago Tap Theatre develops a narrative of a planet inhabited by peace-loving aliens, and the events that unfold when they encounter both a power-hungry species from another world and a potential hero.

"We had thought that we wouldn't do Changes again, despite it being one of our most requested revivals, but after David Bowie's passing last year we wanted to pay our respects by presenting this work one last time," said Artistic Director Mark Yonally. "The last two times we did this show pre-date both the addition of Kurt Schweitz as Music Director and the utilization of a director. This verion will retain many audience-favorite pieces from the previous iterations, along with new scenes, updated choreography, and vastly superior production values."

Yonally continued, "You could almost chart the success of CTT through the lens of Changes. The first time we did it, around eleven years ago, we were a baby company with minimal resources. Six years ago we brought it back and upgraded everything, but were still on a shoestring budget. We now have the production and design teams of our dreams, allowing our sets, costumes and lights to be amazing. Oh, and there will be lasers. Everyone loves lasers!"

The music will be a mélange of the original tracks everyone loves along with live additions and arranging by CTT Music Director Kurt Schweitz.

The cast includes: Kirsten Uttich, Jennifer Pfaff Yonally, Mark Yonally, Aimee Chase, Isaac Stauffer, Sarah Owens and Sara Anderson along with Guest Dancers Jenna, Jozefowski, Sarah LaVanway, Christopher Matthews and Anna Lynn Robbins,

The production team includes: Dustin Derry, lighting designer; Emma Cullimore, costume designer; Jimmy Jagos, set and prop designer; Jacob Reich, sound designer and Sarah Lackner, stage manager.

ABOUT CHICAGO TAP THEATRE

Founded in 2002, Chicago Tap Theatre (CTT) is a growing and vibrant Dance Company dedicated to preserving the quintessentially American dance form of tap while taking it to the next level of creativity, innovation and quality. CTT performs exclusively with live music provided by some of Chicago's finest musicians playing everything from Duke Ellington to David Bowie and many artists in between. Under the dynamic direction of master teacher and performer Mark Yonally, CTT has gained a loyal and sizable following in Chicago and continues to tour both nationally and internationally. Having pioneered the "tap opera" format, which tells stories with compelling characters and intriguing plots, CTT has used the language of tap dance, live music and narration to move Chicago audiences for over 10 years. During 2016, CTT and its productions were included in the "Best of 2016" lists for dance from Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Windy City Times, Dance Magazine and SeeChicagoDance.com.

Artistic Director Mark Yonally and Chicago Tap Theatre (CTT) are proud to present Changes, a science fiction tap dance story show set to all-new arrangements of the music of David Bowie, directed by Harrison McEldowney, choreography by Yonally with musical arrangements and direction by Kurt Schweitz, June 30 - July 16, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. Opening night is Friday, June 30 at 7:30 p.m. The performance schedule is Fridays and Saturdays 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m.

Tickets are $37 for adults, $30 for seniors and $23 for students and dancers. Group discounts are also available. For tickets, go to ChicagoTapTheatre.com or call the Stage 773 box office at 773.327.5252. A preview rehearsal is open to the press by request at the Joel Hall Dance Center, 5965 N. Clark Street.

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