Savion Glover's hit tap show, Savion Glover/Downtown, has extended through June 14, four weeks past its initial closing date of May 22. Performances began April 14 at the Variety Arts Theater, downtown (where else?) on Third Ave. at 13th Street in Manhattan. For this engagement, the show's title has been carrying the sub-head "Live Communication."
The show, which officially opened April 20, originally played at the Variety Arts May-July 1998. Downtown takes the form of a jam session, with Glover dancing away with a few members of his recently formed company, Not Your Ordinary Tappers (NYOT).
The show is backed by a four-piece rock band, with Glover and NYOT hoofers Ayodele Casel, Abron Glover (Savion's brother) and Jason Samuels dancing on the Variety Arts' bare stage. Other surprise guests are promised in the show, presented by Dodger Theatricals, Inc. in association with Maniactin Productions, Inc.
The show had a six-performance tryout April 2-5 at the Crossroads Theatre in New Brunswick, New Jersey, where audience response was reportedly enthusiastic. "The only way they got it to stop," said producer Sprecher, "is to take off their tap shoes and throw them on the stage."
Glover won the 1996 Tony Award for Best Choreography for his rap, tap and soul revue, Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk which ended a nearly three year Broadway run Jan. 10. Glover returned to the cast for the final month. For tickets ($25-$55) and information on Savion Glover/Downtown: Live Communication call (212) 239-6200.
