In a season that has so far seen flying helicopters (Miss Saigon), flying gymnasts (Cathy Rigby's Peter Pan) and menacing villains (the Broadway-bound Wait Until Dark), "dance" and "Disney" are key buzzwords for the spring and summer fare at Boston's legit theatres.

Current productions are those Aussie tap-dancing guys, Tap Dogs, at the Colonial Theatre through April 12, the Frank (Angela's Ashes) McCourt revue, The Irish . . . And How They Got That Way! at the Wilbur Theatre through April 12, and Tharp! an evening of dances by modern dance's Twyla ("Push Comes to Shove") Tharp, at the Shubert through Mar. 29.

Here's the schedule for the next six months:

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, with their signature "Revelations" and new works, April 14-19, Wang Center.

Nomathemba (Hope), a post-apartheid love story with South Africa's Ladysmith Black Mambazo and an ensemble of American actors, April 18-May 10, Shubert Theatre. Mikhail Baryshnikov and the White Oak Dance Project, May 14-17, Shubert Theatre.

Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk, May 19-June 14, Shubert Theatre.

Disney's Beauty and the Beast, July 2-Sept. 6, Wang Center.

Current legit productions with open-ended runs include Blue Man Group at the Charles Playhouse and Shear Madness at the Charles Playhouse Stage II.

-- By Rebecca Paller