Tappin' Thru Life - A Song & Dance Musical NYC Reviews and Tickets
Show-Score Member Reviews (67)
See it if You love feeling like you are in nightclub with a little bit of everything-- Singing, and tap dancing, intertwined in a biography.
Don't see it if Do not enjoy tap dancing, biographical stories or musicals in general.
See it if you are a fan of hoofers and the history of tap.
Don't see it if you dislike entertainment!
See it if you enjoy showmanship and storytelling. Maurice Hines tells his and brother Gregory's life in show business. Entertaining, funny & poignant.
Don't see it if you want 100% dance. A lot of storytelling and singing involved, but exceptionally entertaining.
See it if You like tap dancing and seeing history on stage. Worst let was that the show was so short. Loved hearing his life story.
Don't see it if You don't like song and dance shows.
See it if you enjoyed tap dancing. Learned how the Hines brothers started in show biz was interesting and funny. small peek into the lives of the Hin
Don't see it if you dont enjoy tap dancing and reminiscing.
See it if you want to see the dapper and amazingly energetic Mr. Hines share moving and charming memories of his brother and life in the business.
Don't see it if you don't like fabulous tap dancing by a veteran and by wildly talented young siblings and a rockin' all female jazz band.
See it if you want to see masters at their craft. The other tappers he brings with him are really worth the price of admission.
Don't see it if you need non-stop action. It opens and is fairly slow. The last bit of it is action packed, but it's a slow start.
See it if You like tap dancing and the life story off the Hines brothers as told by Maurice Hines. I was thoroughly entertained and charmed by him.
Don't see it if You don't like one man shows
Critic Reviews (61)
"A singing, dancing showman extraordinaire, Mr. Hines is in very fine form, but he is, after all, 72. 'Tappin’ Thru Life' is cleverly constructed, almost variety-show-style, to let its star catch his breath once in a while...What makes 'Tappin’ Thru Life' more than a vanity piece is its willingness to speak of pain. Mr. Hines can be an amusing storyteller, and he wows us with his footwork as he sings classic song after song."
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"If this sounds like 90 minutes of sweet, unfocused nostalgia, it is (not that there's anything wrong with that)...While director Jeff Calhoun attempts to shape the material into a full-fledged show, there's no discernable structure, and Hines rarely drops his ain't-life-grand persona...Hines prefers pizzazz to introspection, and why not? For 72 years, it's gotten him 'Thru Life' with happy feet and feelings."
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"Tap dancing is about joy and you can feel his joy when Maurice Hines steps onstage. He hits every mark with high energy and style in a seamless performance that transports the audience to his world for 85 toe-tapping minutes."
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"Under the fleet direction of Jeff Calhoun, and to the accompaniment of the Diva Jazz Orchestra, 'Tappin Thru Life' is another tonic for the winter blues. Hines proves himself a thoughtful singer with a light baritone, and his tapping is undiminished by age…What makes ‘Tappin Thru Life’ positively soar is the brilliant arrangements played by the gifted Divas on such standards as 'I’ve Got You Under My Skin' and 'I’ve Grown Accustomed To Her Face'...Don't miss it.'"
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"The show has its problems. Despite its title, it features more music than dance...Although he has a swinging vocal delivery and easy way with a tune, singing is not really the performer's strong suit...And despite the plethora of anecdotes about the many stars with whom Hines has worked, the evening is surprisingly short on dish...But for all its awkward or routine moments, the evening is still terrific fun, thanks to Hines' prodigious energy, enthusiasm and winning personality. "
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"It features celebrity-filled anecdotes, classic tunes accompanied by a fabulous all-female band, and of course, that thing that put them on the map...Under Jeff Calhoun's excellent direction, the show moves beautifully with songs that complement the stories, both poignant and funny."
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"One of the most delightful and ego-free evenings of theater, straight from the golden age of entertainment. Don't be mistaken, 'Maurice Hines Tappin' Thru Life' is exactly what it sounds like: A musical revue of old-timey tunes coupled with virtuosic tap breaks, and stories from the now 72-year-old Hines...But, aside from his God-given charm, ageless body, and finely tailored suits, the thing that sets this memoir apart from the rest is its intangible air of class."
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"Scrapbook photos flash before the audience in director Jeff Calhoun's high-energy production. And oh, how he dances. The clean, rapid-fire taps are presented with a sleek, panther-like gracefulness...It's also a show about helping other performers get a break...Watching the young talents wrap up their acts, Hines can be seen beaming like a proud poppa. 'That's our future,' he reminds the audience...With mentors like Maurice Hines around, the future looks very bright, indeed."
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