The Rhythmic Circus dance troupe swings into Auburn, bringing its brand of tap-dance, music and performance to the Performing Arts Center on Jan. 21, part of the Bravo Performing Arts Series.
“Audiences can expect tap dancing and music of a wide variety of genres,” said Ricci Milan, artistic director and dancer with Rhythmic Circus. “They can expect laughs and they can expect the unexpected.”
Formed in 2007 and based in Minneapolis, Minn., Rhythmic Circus’ newest production “Feet Don’t Fail Me Now!” features five dancers, backed by a full seven-piece band that includes a beat-boxer.
The show is the culmination of five years of experience delivering tap extravaganzas to audiences nationwide.
“As soon as you feel like you know what’s around the bend, then you get bored,” Milan said, adding that although the show is choreographed, it uses that as a framework, rather than a rigid guide.
“When we started it was a lot of improvisation,” Milan said. “We did that because it’s easiest and we all have the talent to do that. Now we’ve created, worked and written and rewritten the show. There are little windows where everybody has their opportunity for improvisation.”
“Feet Don’t Fail Me Now!”, which debuted in 2008, melds the funky music of the backing band with dancing, costume changes, comedy, even vocal musical arrangements.
Rhythmic Circus will tour with “Feet Don’t Fail Me Now!” through the summer, then prepare to open Off-Broadway in October.
“I’m excited and nervous,” Milan said. “I think the reason this has blown up is the intention (behind Rhythmic Circus). We started off wanting to create something we’re proud of and that satisfied us creatively. Something that all of our family and friends can be proud of. We’ve got righteous intentions and that makes it successful.”
Milan added that the main appeal of the show is the draw of tap, which attracts audiences across the spectrum.
“It’s popular because you can hear it, as well as see it,” Milan said. “You’re watching someone dance and you’re also part of it. It attracts you visually and audibly. And people get rhythm and beats. They just instinctively understand that type of stuff. To watch someone dance and create that rhythm is thrilling.”
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Show time
• What: Bravo presents Rhythmic Circus: Feet Don’t Fail Me Now!
• When: 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 21
• Where: Auburn Performing Arts Center, 700 E. Main St.
• Tickets: $20 regular, $18 student, seniors. Call 253-931-3043, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or online through Brown Paper Tickets at www.auburnwa.gov/arts.
• Also: Rhythmic Circus, in conjunction with the Auburn Parks, Arts and Recreation Department, offers a free tap-dance workshop at 2 p.m. Jan. 21 at the Auburn Avenue Theater. Prior tap experience is requested, but all levels of dancers are welcome.
