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The article suggests that Chicago on Tap is not including a sufficient number of local dancers and that the fees paid to artists will all be “going back to New York.” This issue was brought to Mr. Lazare’s attention by Lane Alexander and Kelly Michaels, two Chicago artists who were scheduled to participate in the Chicago on Tap Festival but declined due to their unwillingness to be featured in a special evening of Chicago tap talent. In fact, of the 12 featured dancers, two are currently living in Chicago, and a third, Ted Levy, grew up in Chicago but found it necessary to move to New York to earn a living. In other words, one quarter of the dancers involved with Chicago on Tap are Chicagoans or have a strong Chicago connection. For a world-class festival we think that’s a pretty good ratio.
Perhaps the ultimate irony is that in the same issue of the Reader is an ad for a tap festival Lane Alexander scheduled subsequent to the planning of Chicago on Tap with its list of artists. The headliners of the other festival are all from out of town and Chicago dancers make up less than half of the lineup.
Julie Simpson
