I worked on Tap Dance. We moved theatres from the Broadhurst to the Minksoff in 1984 and I was Richard Nelson, the lighting designer's assistant. I was 22 years old and I fell in love with our crew heads who were so kind to me. When I became the American Associate Lighting designer on Les Miserables in 1986, I recommended our head electrician, head carpenter and head prop man and they became the team Cameron Mackintosh used on all of his shows for the next 20 years. Tap Dance Kid was my first Broadway job! I loved that show!
It was so fun to perform in TDK! I was with the show from the initial "workshop" on! Amazing people to work with including the crew and of course RICHARD NELSON!
@@michaelblevins565 Indeed! Rick was my mentor and dear friend! I have always held Tap Dance Kid very dear. What fun to connect to someone who was there in the day! Warmest greetings!
Michael:. I was in NYC in 1983 and wanted to see Tap Dance Kid but it was Sold out! In 1985 My Aunt Betty took me to see it. I think Savion was the kid. It was fantastic!!! Alphonso had left the show already 😢. Hinton was Amazing. I also liked him as Sweet in Buffy!
A silly interview Hinton and I did back when we were young, just sitting around the house BS'ing and trying to crack ourselves up. For those who want to be reminded of the fun kid he was. drive.google.com/file/d/1zGyv4rJUSyTzAHmhsh-YIuZEjPhfyjz0/view?usp=drive_link
Its crazy that Hinton Battle can be THIS talented, have won 3 Tony Awards in within a decade, and STILL not be one of the top names on someone's lips when mentioning the Broadway greats.
@FatherPaolo-zx4ps What has this got to do with the comments and questions posted? Mr. Battle has passed on now. The questions still have merit about his name not being as well known when speaking of Broadway greats. Whatever you intended by posting your comments, escapes me. I am sure you would not want your last days on this earth to be subject to gossip and judgment.. May Mr. Battle rest in peace and rise in glory. Condolences to his family, friends, and fans. It is truly a giant loss for Broadway 🙏🏽!!😢
I saw this show when Hinton Battle hired me to dance in a choreography he was doing for a showcase down in Soho at the Ohio Theatre. He got me and the other guys seats to Tap Dance Kid and I saw it again.... The dancing was as electric as you can imagine from this clip. 14 years later I ended up in the Original Cast of The Lion King and performed at the 1998 Tony's. Hinton was magical and as real as they come!! Rest in Power....
I saw this play in 1983 on Broadway and we never forget it, Alphonso was amazing and the cast was outstanding... Love this play, they should bring it back to Broadway
I was just thinking the same thing. Now you get people promoting their albums/songs there for themselves not there to entertain anybody or thing but their wallets and fame...Hollywood is missing quality and that's why a lot of people these days don't bother with them anymore and just turn to independent films and foreign films and shows where genuine creativity and entertainment is still happening.
Hilton Battle, one of the most underrated stage performers of our time. I remember seeing him in the Wiz as the Scarecrow and almost stealing the show from Stephanie Mills.
You're so right! Was blessed to see that as a yung'in...Alfonso comes from that old school of disciplined performers...not this current crop of famous for being famous. What can you actually do...besides getting naked?
Came here to see Hinton, had no idea Alphonso was performing. Omg, fantastic performance. For Alphonso to be able to keep up and perform just a well as Hinton is amazing. Bravo!!
It’s so funny that Alphonso’s biggest claim to fame is playing Carlton Banks, a stiff uncool character. When I was a kid I thought he was the coolest kid in the world after seeing him in this one Broadway and then he was in the Pepsi commercial with Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5. He was living the dream!
Alfonso has to be the best dancer in sitcom history. Sorry, Shawn Harrison, but I have seen Alfonso do so much guru stuff and he has also sold his abilities as a teacher. This feat was as a chjIb!
Her name is Martin Allard. She did a few episodes of Diff'rent Strokes now she has continued working in the field of music, theatre and as a teacher to up and coming young people with the love of the art as myself.Presently working on a solo jazz CD, touring with a cabaret show, touring with a production of "Ain't Misbehavin", teaching private voice in New York City and as a music consultant for New York City Board of Education. She is a great talent.
OMG this brings back memories : miss you guys - Alfonso, Savion and Hassan (RIP), Hinton, Levar, Michael Peters - shout out to the BDC - 🥲🧡 I still have my old shiny tour jacket with our sparkling high-top tap shoe on it ... those were the days.
Sometimes at parties I'll do the splits and scream via 1:10. Also, is it me, or does it looks like the backup dancers look like they are from some clown musical that never should have happened?
Tap dancing in sneakers? Who knew? Best to leave the tapping to the three who are wearing taps on their shoes. This was a very ordinary show but the three boys are terrific.
i dont see what the big idea is. alfonso is a naturally talented kid who could move like a lot of kids. he was a break dancer that got a chance to learn tap and tapped in broadway. his performance was cute but he was no williams bros. by a long shot. what he has done in dwts is amazing. the fans hate when someone with natural rhythm joins the cast. now the athletes and recording have an advantage but everyone on the cast wins cause they get the exposure since they r on the b-d list. lighten up people!!1
Savion Glover before he dropped all the "dance" from his tap dancing. No doubt one of the best -- if not THE best -- tap dancers in the world, but I wish he was still using his body and not just his feet. It's obviously a choice on his part and not any lack of ability; I always wonder if it has anything to do with wanting to "butch" it up or is just the style he prefers. (High kicks are still thrilling, even when you know there is to them other them being limber.)
@@MrCrowebobby Dude, a high kick is waaaaayyyyy more than being limber. Actually, it is all muscle control. And Hinton was doing full penches - ballet through and through, and definitely takes way more skill than just being limber. smh!
@@irisbjones I was a professional dancer for 25 years and though I wasn't a great dancer, I worked and studied with some truly great dancers. I know what goes into high kicks, whether controlled or crotch sprung a la some can-can dancers. Should have explained myself better.
I remember going to see the on Broadway as a kid. They torn this up fantastic play in my late late 40's I seen this play when I was 8 and still remember it. 🩷🩷🩷🩷