The newest tap show created by Dein Perry (Tap Dogs), Steel City will begin its tour of the United States Sept. 6 at the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago.
Steel City made its US debut at Radio City Music Hall Jan. 26, 1999 running through the 30th.
Inspired by Perry's youth in Newcastle, Australia, where he worked in a factory, Steel City features fifteen dancers (including four women, a change from his all-male Tap Dogs) tapping their way through a day at a steel factory. The workers gradually transform their workplace into a nightclub, changing from their overalls and work boots into suits and cocktail dresses by the end of the show.
Collaborating with Perry are composer Tim Finn and production designer Brian Thomson. New Zealander Finn, of the groups Split Enz and Crowded House, created the score, a drum-heavy rock-funk mix. Thomson, well known for his opera and theatre work in his native Australia, received the 1996 Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards for Best Set Design for The King and I.
The current itinerary, after Chicago, follows: Sept. 28-Oct. 10: Boston, MA, Colonial Theatre
Oct. 12-17: Indianapolis, IN, Cloews Hall
Oct. 18-24: Houston, TX, Jones Hall
Oct. 26-31: St. Louis, MO, Fox Theatre
Nov. 2-7: Louisville, KY, Kentucky Center for the Arts
Nov. 9-14: Kansas City, MO, Music Hall
Nov. 16-21: Columbus, OH, Ohio Theatre
Nov. 23-28: Cleveland, OH, Music Hall
Nov. 30-Dec. 5: Madison, WI, TBA
Dec. 7-12: Des Moines, IA, Civic Center
Dec. 14-19: TBA
Dec. 20-26, 1999: San Antonio, TX, Municipal Audititorium
Dec. 28-Jan. 2, 2000: Detroit, MI, Opera House
Jan. 4-9: Wallingford, CT, Oakdale Theatre
Jan. 11-16: Pittsburgh, PA, Benedum Center
Jan. 18-23: Milwaukee, WI, Bruce Hall
Jan. 25-30: Richmond, VA, Landmark Theatre
Feb. 1-6: West Palm Beach, FL, Kravis Center
Feb. 8-13: Norfolk, VA, Chrysler Hall
Feb. 15-20: Greensboro, SC, War Memorial Auditorium
Feb. 22-27: TBA
Feb. 29-Mar. 5: Miami, FL, Jackie Gleason Auditorium
Mar. 7-12: Raleigh, NC, TBA
Mar. 14-19: Cincinnati, OH, Arnoff Center
Mar. 28-Apr. 2: TBA
Apr. 4-9: Minneapolis, MN, Orpheum Theatre
Apr. 11-23: Denver, CO, Buell Theatre
Apr. 25-30: Dallas, TX, Music Hall
May 2-7: Salt Lake City, UT, Kingsbury Theatre
May 9-21: Seattle, WA, Paramount Theatre
May 23-28: TBA
May 30-Jun. 11: San Francisco, CA, Curran Theatre
Jun. 13-18, 2000: Tempe, AZ, Gammage Hall
-- By Christine Ehren
