Any dance acolyte knows that “virtuoso” is the proper adjective to glue in front of the name Savion Glover. The prodigy of hoofing—distinguished from traditional tap by its heightened interest in improvisational riffs and its lowered interest in incorporating the body, focusing mainly on the feet—has a unique, incessant style. His tremolo is like syncopated lightning. His staccato sounds like a rattlesnake on amphetamines. Once he finds his groove he barely rests a fraction of a beat—and in the interim he seems be using his hands to snakecharm the beat out of the floor and into his shoes.
Glover’s performance is pure tap dance. No fads, no frills, and no pretenses—to a fault. Glover says he approaches the dance like a musician would approach his instrument: “I consider myself more a musician who tap dances. We’re trying to interpret the rhythm.” He might never miss a beat, but he misses the mark set by the timeless entertainers he wants to honor.
Fri 1/24, 7:30 PM Harris Theater 205 E. Randolph 312-334-7777harristheaterchicago.org $30-$55
