Displaying items by tag: Anaiet Soul

Chicago Tap Theatre (CTT) presents Saturn Returns, directed by Molly Smith and music directed by Anaiet Soul, June 11-14 at The Edge Theater, 5451 N. Broadway Ave. Performances are Thursday, June 11 and Friday, June 12 at 7 p.m., Saturday, June 13 at 5 p.m. and Sunday, June 14 at 2 p.m. Ticket prices are $35 - $75 and are on sale now at ChicagoTapTheatre.com. 

Directed by Molly Smith, Saturn Returns tells the universally human story of getting older through tap dance and live music with new choreography by Smith and the dancers of Chicago Tap Theatre. Based on the Saturn return process in astrology, this show, the last in CTT's '25-'26 season, is a heartwarming snapshot of our individual pasts, presents, and futures.

Director Molly Smith stated, "I've been interested in exploring the intersection of astrology and tap dance for a long time, and this opportunity created the perfect space to use the perspective of a Saturn return, when the planets align as they did at one's birth, to look at how we age, mature, and navigate life in ever-unsteady times. Tap dance is a natural vessel to portray the rhythm of life, how we grow and change as individuals and as a community, and how we celebrate our wins, and this show is full of excitement, challenges, and surprises for dancers and audience members alike."

The Program for Saturn Returns Includes:

Hope College Piece (pre-show opener), choreographed by Martin "Tre" Dumas III

Celestial Groove, choreographed by Molly Smith

Approach the Threshold, choreographed by Mark Yonally

The Shock of Aging, choreographed by Sterling Harris & Molly Smith

Accountability/Responsibility, choreographed by Sara Anderson

Hard Work & Discipline, choreographed by Molly Smith

Separation/Restriction, choreographed by Molly Smith

Slow & Steady, choreographed by Sara Anderson & Greta Sorensen

Solitude, choreographed by Molly Smith

Boundaries, choreographed by Heather Latakas & Molly Smith

Own your Choices & Create Your Path, choreographed by Molly Smith

Celestial Celebration & Bows, choreographed by Molly Smith

Chicago Tap Theatre Summer Show's dancers include Mark Yonally, Sterling Harris, Molly Smith, Sara Anderson, Heather Latakas, Chris Matthews, Greta Sorensen, Ellie Guzzano, Antonio Houston, and Kelsey Nickens. Accompanying the dancers will be local Chicago musicians, led by music director Anaiet Soul.

ABOUT MOLLY SMITH, DIRECTOR & CHOREOGRAPHER

Molly Smith (they/them) [Rehearsal Director, Director of Operations & Community Engagement] is a performer, dance teacher and arts administrator and has been with Chicago Tap Theatre for 8 seasons. Smith is a co-founder of THEM queers band and is on faculty at Incite Dance Center & Activate Your Artistry dance convention as well as Chicago Tap Theatre's community youth classes. Smith has traveled to teach and perform tap dance internationally, touring with Martin Tre Dumas to China, teaching at the Artis Escola de Dansa in Reus, Spain, and they are a frequent teacher and choreographer throughout the United States, including at the Chicago Tap Summit, Chicago Tap Allstars' Tap Dance Day Workshop Weekend and guest teaching at Oklahoma City University.

 ABOUT CHICAGO TAP THEATRE

Founded in 2002, Chicago Tap Theatre is a growing and vibrant dance company dedicated to preserving the quintessentially American dance form of tap while taking it to the next level of creativity, innovation and quality. CTT performs exclusively with live music provided by some of Chicago's finest musicians playing everything from Duke Ellington to David Bowie and many artists in between. Under the dynamic direction of master teacher and performer Mark Yonally, CTT has gained a loyal and sizable following in Chicago and continues to tour both nationally and internationally. Having pioneered the "tap opera" format, which tells stories with compelling characters and intriguing plots, CTT has used the language of tap dance, live music and narration to move audiences for more than 20 years.

Chicago Tap Theatre (CTT) presents Saturn Returns, directed by Molly Smith and music directed by Anaiet Soul, June 11-14 at The Edge Theater, 5451 N. Broadway Ave. Performances are Thursday, June 11 and Friday, June 12 at 7 p.m., and Saturday, June 13 at 5 p.m., and Sunday, June 14 at 2 p.m. Ticket prices are $35 - $75. Tickets are now on sale and may be purchased by visiting ChicagoTapTheatre.com.