See it if You are a fan of the Hines brothers and tapping. Want to see old school meets new school. Like a show with class.
Don't see it if You don't know who Maurice and Gregory Hines were. Don't like tap.
See it if You like tap dancing and great storytelling!
Don't see it if you're looking for something modern - this is an old time sort of show.
See it if you love tap dance, old-school music, and great storytelling by Maurice Hines.
Don't see it if if the "old school" nature of shows and performing is not your thing. Or if you hate tap dance.
See it if You enjoy amazing tap dancing, great stories about amazing stars, amazing musicians, and Maurice Hines (the king of charisma).
Don't see it if You want just tap dancing (wanted more), wish Mr. Hines had a better singing voice, don't appreciate nostalgia, or dislike musical standards
See it if You are a fan of old Hollywood or the career retrospective type shows.. Mr. Hines is so charming and talented-- this show is like a big hug
Don't see it if You are expecting all out tap dance extravaganza
See it if You like a good story well told, exciting big band sound & tapping, & an old pro doing what he does best, & stay to hear all women big band
Don't see it if You're spiritually dead
See it if You don't expect a plot, but enjoy a song and dance revue by a joyous, masterful entertainer with occasional autobiographical anecdotes.
Don't see it if You don't enjoy song and dance, or expect a play with plot.
See it if you enjoy tap dance and are a fan of either of the Hines brothers.
Don't see it if you enjoy a plot since the show is stories from Maurice Hines life.
"It's a lively tale, crowded with thumbnail portraits of many mid-20th-century show business greats...'Tappin' Thru Life' is pretty smashing, too, thanks to Jeff Calhoun's seamless staging and the fine work of his design team...'Tappin' Thru Life' is loaded with swing. Also, heart. Also, entertainment. I had a very, very, very good time."
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"'Tappin' Thru Life,' is a weird show, and, let's face it, not a particularly good one. It combines the worst of late-night talk with the worst of supper-club cabaret...Hines does a lot of name-dropping, and, in isolated cases, makes them come alive...Much of the rest of what he does is cheesy to the point of artery-clogging...For his myriad abilities and virtues as a performer, Hines can't convince you that he's a writer, and that makes his life story rather unconvincing."
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"Though rather thin and heavily sugar-coated, his long career on club and theater stages and in movies provides plenty of celebrity name dropping opportunities with which to enliven and musicalize his reminiscences...'Tappin' Thru Life' never really sheds its Las Vegas variety act aura. Yet Maurice Hines' joy at being on stage is contagious enough to probably make the audience to enjoy this up close visit with a man born to entertain."
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"A pleasantly entertaining look at the personal and professional life of Maurice Hines...Although the all-dance finale feels a bit tacked on, it is also expected. This is after all a show about the life of a tap dancer...The life story might have been a bit less slick, the emotions deeper, but 'Tappin’ Thru Life' is still a delight, a portrait of a show business that no longer exists and, sadly, a tale of personal loss, as well."
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"Maurice Hines sings and taps, with masterful showmanship…At the tender age of 72, those tappin’ feet, that seem to float on air, can do no wrong as he sings and dances his way through the heart and soul of a family act that made headlines for many years…If you love tap dancing and great tunes from the American Songbook, you’re gonna be very happy."
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"Hines is an entertainer at heart, and 'Maurice Hines Tappin’ Thru Life' is entertaining the whole way through...Hines is a radiant presence onstage...In the only mild disappointment of the evening, Chekhov’s stairs never get used to their full potential, but the full ride of the evening was more than enough excitement and impressive tapping to make up for it. The show closes with all four dancers onstage, and a rousing standing ovation from the audience."
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"Through a series of delightful monologues, Mr. Hines – through tap numbers and songs – highlights the places and the individuals that provided inspiration and opportunity…Mr. Hines is a skilled and gifted interpreter of song lyrics and provides his own thoughtful phrasing and vocal modulation...'Tappin’ Thru Life' is a well-crafted and well designed show directed by Jeff Calhoun that celebrates the life and career of Maurice Hines."
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"My only words are ones of praise, awe, and admiration...The Off Broadway show flows effortlessly from one fascinating showbiz tale to the next. In true song and dance fashion, his stories are interspersed with fine standards, each accompanied by the impressive Diva jazz orchestra. As soon as this 15-piece ensemble begins to wail, the 'wow' factor skyrockets—and it only increases throughout the next 90 minutes."
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