Bob Abelman
Before Vegas and before the
rebirth of Atlantic City, the grand hotels in the Borsch Belt of the Catskill
Mountains were “the place” for big-name entertainment. But by the late
1970s and 1980s, these resorts could no longer attract young guests or afford contemporary
artists, relying instead on the nostalgic attraction of performers who no longer had the skills or
stamina to do what they were famous for. Earnest and eager to please, they rely on their celebrity, showmanship
and storytelling to tap the shared memories of the late-in-life audience in
attendance.
Sadly, such is “Maurice Hines is Tappin’ Thru Life.”
Roy Berko
“Maurice Hines Is Tappin’ Thru Life,” is a
personable concert, which is more a Vegas act, than a play. Audiences anticipating 90-minutes of
non-stop dancing may be frustrate.
Some might question why CPH is doing a “touring” show rather than
producing its own product and why they stage these one-person bio-musicals. Whatever. The majority of the audience will come and enjoy themselves.
Mark Horning
I am going to make a prediction that this show will
be a sell-out for each and every performance so you had best get your tickets right now. Vegas meets Vaudeville with
great stories, songs, dancing and music.
This is the hot ticket of the year!
To see a full review of this show, read Mark Horning's blog.Christine Howey
If you’re lonely for the kind of polished and unabashedly sentimental lounge acts that Vegas is famous for, then you need to take a relaxing dip in Maurice Hones is "Tappin’ Through Life," now at the Cleveland Play House.
To see a full review of this show, read Christine Howey's blog Rave and Pan
Andrea Simakis
The melodic, poignant production at the Cleveland Play House is a loose homage to colossal talents who gave the Hines Kids – the name he and Gregory used when they hit New York's storied Apollo Theater at ages 7 and 5, respectively – a leg up in the dog-eat-dog business: Ella Fitzgerald, Sammy Davis Jr., Judy Garland and more.
To see a full review of this show, read Andrea Simakis' blog or visit Cleveland.com here.
Art Thomas
If you didn't realize that Maurice Hines has been a major theatrical entertainer for the last seventy years, you will after seeing "Tappin'Thru Life". He sings eighteen songs, tells as many stories and finally tap dances with the Manzari Brothers in an extended exuberant finale. This is a must-see in an intimate theater setting.
Click here to read the complete review at WestLife
