Chicago Tap Theatre (CTT), continues its 21st season with the world premiere of Can You Hear Us Now: The Queer Tap Dance Revolution, June 20 - 23 at The Edge Theater, 5451 N. Broadway Ave. Performances are Thursday, June 20 at 7 p.m., Friday, June 21 at 7 p.m., Saturday, June 22 at 2 p.m. and Sunday, June 23 at 2 p.m. Can You Hear Us Now? The Queer Tap Revolution ticket prices are $35 - $75. All ticket types may be purchased through The Edge box office by calling 773.769.9112 or by visiting Eventbrite.com.
Chicago Tap Theatre presents a unique opportunity to experience queer art with this original show directed by CTT’s Rehearsal Director Molly Smith. Can You Hear Us Now? The Queer Tap Dance Revolution features original choreography from CTT dancers inspired by, referencing and in honor of historical figures in tap dance and jazz music history from the LGBTQIA+ community. Can You Hear Us Now? will bring queer tap dance experiences to the forefront like never before and will help preserve the stories of these dancers as well as uncover previously untold queer tap dance stories from the past and present. Part archival research project, part live show, this world premiere will blend tap history with the state of tap dance today and where it is headed with a focus on LGBTQ perspectives. This production will be both a celebration of queer culture and history and an exploration of identity and societal expectations.
“This production is truly a research project for the company as much as it is an exciting show that will display the artistry and technical skills of the dancers,” said Smith. “I'm so excited to celebrate tap dancers and jazz musicians who were out and proud. And I am also excited to view where this art form has been and where we are now through the lens of folks who broke norms and who have inspired me in my tap dance and identity journey, along with CTT. Audiences can expect beautiful rhythms and choreography from many different dancers, incredible live music directed by an amazing jazz trombonist (who is also my amazing sister, Norah!).”
Accompanying the dancers will be local Chicago jazz musicians, led by New York-based Music Director and trombonist Norah De Chant. Additionally, local band THEM queers, founded by Nate Kistler and Molly Smith, will join the other musicians for a THEM queers original song (and favorite of local fans), “The Pronoun Song.” This is a rare opportunity for audiences to see a THEM queers song performed with additional tap dancers before THEM queers release their first studio album this summer.
ABOUT CHICAGO TAP THEATRE
Founded in 2002, Chicago Tap Theatre 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 audiences for more than 20 years.
ABOUT MOLLY SMITH
Molly Smith (they/them) is a dancer, choreographer, teacher and arts administrator from Chicago with a BS in dance & arts management from Oklahoma City University. Smith has over a decade of experience teaching dance and currently teaches at Incite Dance Center as well as being on faculty with Activate Your Artistry (AYA) dance convention. They have served as a judge at Encore Dance Competition, In10sity Dance Competition, Ovation and AYA. Smith is a choreographer and dancemaker, often performing around Chicago as a soloist and cabaret tap dancer, and presenting choreographic works recently through Take Up Space Dance Festival, The Newport Theatre and Poonie’s Cabaret at Links Hall. They are also a co-founder of and tap dancer/musician in THEM queers band. Smith is proud to serve as rehearsal director, director of operations and community engagement, and a company cancer at Chicago Tap Theatre. They started with CTT in 2016 as an intern and have served the most roles of anyone in the company besides founders Mark and Jen Yonally. Smith identifies as queer, trans, nonbinary and gender expansive and is an active part of the queer Chicago dance and music scene.
ABOUT NORAH DE CHANT
Norah De Chant (she/her) is one of the brightest up-and-comers on the trombone on the New York City scene today. Whether as an improviser, section musician, composer, arranger or educator, De Chant’s unique voice shines through in every musical endeavor she takes on. She has performed with The DIVA Jazz Orchestra, The Stan Rubin Orchestra, Triad Brass, The Joseph Herbst Big Band, Flora’s Fanfare, The Villagers Brass Band, The Small Dog Jazz Society and the J.C. Hopkins Biggish Band, the latter for which she also works as the group’s primary for-hire arranger. De Chant has performed at Carnegie Hall, Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, Birdland, The Django, Zinc Bar, Minton’s Playhouse and Aaron Davis Hall among others.
ABOUT THEM QUEERS
Founded by Nate Kistler and Molly Smith. https://www.themqueers.com/
THEM queers is a Chicago-based band featuring co-founders Nathan Kistler (they/he) and Molly Smith (they/them) as well as additional local Chicago queer musicians. This genre-defying folk punk duo creates original work that always places queerness center stage, and their combination of music and dancing inherent in their work means that audiences are always entertained. THEM queers was a 2022, 2023, and now a 2024 NOITP partner with the Chicago Parks District, and they have also performed throughout Chicagoland in venues such as Davenport’s Piano Bar, the Gallery Cabaret, and the Newport Theater. Having met through working in early childhood education,Kistler and Smith always bring a silliness to their sincerity that can’t be denied.
ABOUT CHICAGO TAP THEATRE
Founded in 2002, Chicago Tap Theatre 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 internationally-celebrated 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 audiences for more than 20 years.
The 2023 - 2024 season is partially supported by a Chicago Arts Recovery Program grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events.