Savion Glover’s SoLe Sanctuary
Returning to The Lyric Theatre this season is the always fabulous Savion Glover in his latest, and most extensive production: Savion Glover’s SoLe Sanctuary. SoLe Sanctuary represents the culmination of Glover’s illustrious career as a tap dancer, choreographer, and educator. In this career-defining performance, Savion Glover honors the history and development of tap with a rhythmic and expressive production described by the New York Times as a “deeper exploration of the idea of a dancer as an instrument.”
Often labeled as the best tap dancer alive, Savion Glover learned to dance from the equally legendary dancer Gregory Hines. Glover is famous for his signature dance style in which he gradually deconstructs traditional tap dancing moves throughout his routines, incorporating more innovative steps as the routine continues. Aside from his talent as a dancer, Savion Glover is equally talented as a choreographer, having designed a number of his own routines as well as creating his own dance company called “NYOTs” or “Not Your Ordinary Tappers.” Glover has appeared in films such as Tap starring Gregory Hines and Sammy Davis, Jr. and Bamboozled, directed by Spike Lee. Most recently, Glover choreographed dance sequences for the Academy Award-winning films Happy Feet and Happy Feet 2. In 1995, Glover provided choreography for the critically-acclaimed Broadway musical Bring in ‘da Noise, Bring in ‘da Funk, which explored the history of blacks in America through the art of tap.
In many ways, Savion Glover’s SoLe Sanctuary is a continuation of Bring in ‘da Noise, Bring in ‘da Funk’s dedication to exploring the history of American blackness through dance, a topic that Glover has dedicated himself to over his entire career as a musician. A thoughtful meditation on the dancer’s personal experience with tap and on dance in general, Savion Glover’s SoLe Sanctuary is set in front of a somber backdrop of photos featuring the forefathers of tap. Glover dances to an eclectic soundtrack, which includes New Age ethereal tracks as well as recordings of jazz great John Coltrane.
Often labeled as the best tap dancer alive, Savion Glover learned to dance from the equally legendary dancer Gregory Hines. Glover is famous for his signature dance style in which he gradually deconstructs traditional tap dancing moves throughout his routines, incorporating more innovative steps as the routine continues. Aside from his talent as a dancer, Savion Glover is equally talented as a choreographer, having designed a number of his own routines as well as creating his own dance company called “NYOTs” or “Not Your Ordinary Tappers.” Glover has appeared in films such as Tap starring Gregory Hines and Sammy Davis, Jr. and Bamboozled, directed by Spike Lee. Most recently, Glover choreographed dance sequences for the Academy Award-winning films Happy Feet and Happy Feet 2. In 1995, Glover provided choreography for the critically-acclaimed Broadway musical Bring in ‘da Noise, Bring in ‘da Funk, which explored the history of blacks in America through the art of tap.
In many ways, Savion Glover’s SoLe Sanctuary is a continuation of Bring in ‘da Noise, Bring in ‘da Funk’s dedication to exploring the history of American blackness through dance, a topic that Glover has dedicated himself to over his entire career as a musician. A thoughtful meditation on the dancer’s personal experience with tap and on dance in general, Savion Glover’s SoLe Sanctuary is set in front of a somber backdrop of photos featuring the forefathers of tap. Glover dances to an eclectic soundtrack, which includes New Age ethereal tracks as well as recordings of jazz great John Coltrane.
