They're hoping for a hit -- literally.
The bucket drummers who made such a racket hitting plastic cans, pots and pans in Broadway's Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk will echo once again in New York City, with the Off-Broadway premiere of Keep Bangin', directed by Noise/Funk wunderkind choreographer tapper Savion Glover.
Keep Bangin' begins previews Aug. 24, with a opening to be announced, at the Players Theatre, 115 Macdougal Street.
In the new percussion show, created by Jared Crawford, players beat on whatever surface they can think of --- drums, bongos, cowbells, pots and pans and, of course, buckets. Tributes to percussion masters Tito Puente, Max Roach and Buddy Rich will be part of the show.
Performers include Crawford, a street performer who found success as a specialty performer in Noise/Funk, Raymond Alexander King (Noise/Funk), Larry Wright (Noise/Funk) and Darrell Dove Jr. (Boston's "Dance Umbrella" and "Jazz Tap/Hip Hop"). Designers are Rob Harari (sound) and Shelly Sabel (lighting).
The new Off-Broadway run, which apparently had it seeds in a run of Keep Bangin' in November 1998 at New York City's Baggot Inn, is produced by Keep Bangin' Entertainment, Maniactin Productions and Romeo Joven.
For ($20-$40) ticket information, call (212) 239-6200.
-- By Kenneth Jones
