STERLING — When asked what to expect in the upcoming Sterling Community Theatre Troupe musical production “Me and My Girl,” the two-word response: “tap dance” seems to get a positive response from everyone.
“Who doesn’t love tap dancing?” asks Piper Harding, one of the two main choreographers for the show that is being staged as part of Sterling’s Fourth of July celebration and will be presented at 7:30 p.m. next Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, July 1-3, in the Sterling High School Theatre.
“Me and My Girl” will feature three tap numbers: the sweetly romantic title tune featuring the two leads, a high-energy full ensemble number and a fun-filled rouser with eight tap dancing British ancestors.
The show is set in 1937 England and centers on a Cockney everyman who discovers he’s heir to a fortune as he wreaks havoc on the aristocracy trying to prove himself worthy. The show features an infectious score by Noel Gay, which includes popular songs like “Leaning on a Lamp Post” and “The Lambeth Walk” — the famous first act finale that launched a worldwide dance craze. Playing the spoons, synchronized swinging tennis rackets and even one dancing lamppost are featured in the show.
One New York critic wrote of a recent revival of the show, “Gay’s score is almost ridiculously tuneful. These songs aren’t just ear worms, they burrow so deep into your brain that you’d need surgery to dislodge them.” The high-energy, precisely executed dance that goes along with the songs is one of the show’s many challenges.
“The most challenging part of staging a big number is figuring out what every cast member is doing at what time,” Harding said. “There’s rarely a time when everyone is doing the same dance at the same time. There’s usually a story to be told within the number and everyone has a part in the story. It takes a lot of time to create it and then teach it.”
Harding choreographed the title tune, which features tap dancing, and she plays the leading role of Sally Brown, Cockney girlfriend to the new heir. Sterling College Theatre sophomore Rachel Thomson is also in the cast and is choreographing several numbers.
Thomson’s favorite number in the show is “The Sun Has Got His Hat On,” which is the big tap number of the show which opens Act 2. “The number has been incredibly challenging and fun to work with! I have learned a lot, both from coming up with the choreography to teaching it,” she said.
“What I enjoy most about doing and teaching choreography is seeing my vision come to life,” Thompson continued. “It’s one thing to come up with a fun dance in my kitchen and be excited, but seeing a wonderful cast do it to the best of their ability takes it to another level of enjoyment. I personally just love getting to see how a cast looks doing my choreography. They always do such a wonderful job and make me so proud and happy to be a choreographer!”
Only two members of the ensemble have had tap lessons before. One is Karissa Wilson, Sterling High School junior. She said, “Even though I had tap when I was in grade school, it’s still been a challenge to learn the steps and sequences when I haven’t done it for so long. I’m very impressed with my fellow cast members who have never even had tap before.”
Noah Svaty, Sterling High School senior who is a performing veteran of both high school and community musicals, said, “I have danced in shows before but I have never done tap. Usually I see the dance, try it a couple times, and catch on easily. With tap I have found out it is a lot more difficult than it looks. So much effort and time go into it. It’s crazy. We are having to rep it so much but that’s what’s needed. It gets better and better each time. It’s kind of incredible that something that looks so easy and fun is so difficult. That’s the trick – to make it look easy and fun!”
Tickets for Sterling’s production of “Me and My Girl” are $10 for adults and $5 for students and will be available at the door before each performance.
