THE TAP DANCE KID A Musical in Two Acts, 15 Scenes. Book by Charles Blackwell. Based on the novel Nobody's Family Is Going to Change by Louise Fitzhugh. Music by Henry Krieger. Lyrics by Robert Lorick. Broadhurst Theatre, New York: opened 21 December, 1983: transferred Minskoff Theatre 27 March, 1984: closed 11 March 1985 (total 669 perfs). SYNOPSIS ACT ONE Roosevelt Island is a tram-ride away from Manhattan. William Sheridan, a successful attorney, lives there with his wife, Ginnie and their two children: 14 year old Emma, outspoken and overweight and longing desperately to become a lawyer, and 10 year old Willie who, contrary to his father's wishes, thinks of nothing but dancing. The musical opens on a typical morning with Ginnie preparing breakfast. Later that day, Emma returns home from school in a characteristic snit. Ginnie's brother, Dipsey Bates arrives for a visit and soon, the kids are urging him to tell about the days when Ginnie, Dipsey and their late father, Daddy Bates performed as a trio. The number ends as William returns home from work. Finding his study in disarray. he cooly greets Dipsey, for whom he has little use. Thirty-three years old and he's a dancer, for heaven's sake! Dipsey exits leaving William to examine the childrens' report cards. He pays scant attention to Emma's exceptional grades, but is so disappointed by Willie's poor grades that he grounds the boy. Three weeks later, Willie is frustrated because he hasn't been able to dance. I don't wanna be no lawyer, He tries to talk to his sister, but Emma has her own problems. Willie later expresses his true feelings and in a daring move, ventures alone to Manhattan, via tram, to find his Uncle Dipsey. Dipsey is rehearsing his dancers for an industrial show for a convention of shoe buyers. Coincidentally, the number has been designed to showcase Dipsey's dancing and choreographic talents with which he hopes to impress the producers of an out-of-town Broadway tryout. Willie arrives during the rehearsal and is uncontrollably drawn into the number, dancing along with his uncle. Excited by his nephew's potential, Dipsey rushes the boy home to tell his parents the good news. Dipsey's assistant, Carole is left to continue the rehearsal. As she puts the dancers through their paces, she reflects privately on her feelings for Dipsey. Dipsey arrives on Roosevelt Island and breathlessly tells Ginnie and William of their son's dancing ability. William cuts him short, furious because Willie has disobeyed and especially because he has risked the danger of going to New York by himself. Seizing control of his family once again, William forbids Willie to see his uncle anymore. Willie runs out on the terrace, followed by Dipsey who tells the boy that, for a while, he'll have to dance inside himself. The Act One curtain falls on Willie, heartbroken, being comforted by his uncle. ACT TWO Another breakfast. Willie hasn't danced for some time now. He's too quiet. He looks gray! An argument ensues at the table and William storms out. Emma accuses her mother of not asserting herself nor caring enough about her children. Ginnie accuses Emma of being exactly like her father. Dipsey and Carole, now living together, wait in Dipsey's loft for word about the out-of-town tryout in Buffalo. Dipsey has just about given up hope when the phone rings. Willie has run off to the playground to be alone and Emma comes looking for him. Touched by his dilemma, she reaches out to him as a friend.
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