The Lady Hoofers is a group of 40 women tap dancers comprised of first company dancers, apprentice dancers, and a youth ensemble. For one weekend only at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre, they performed their unique interpretation of the Nutcracker Suite on tap shoes rather than ballet or point and it was known as The Tapcracker. After 15 years, the group now has its own portable wood floor which makes the taps resound more profoundly. Although most of the music was Tchaikovsky’s, there were some variations. The story-line of the Tapcracker deviated from the traditional Nutcracker, in that Clara didn’t fall asleep and dream of the March of the Toy Soldiers or the Sugar Plum Fairies but she is taken to Paris by her mother where she sees the march of real soldier guards and a jazz version of the Sugan Plum Fairy done by grey mice with pink ears and long tails. She has adventures in the Eiffel Tower and Versailles with friendly mice. The Waltz of The Flowers was beautifully orchestrated by a snowball fight with cotton “snowballs” thrown. The choreography was outstanding throughout.
Why am I writing about a group whose performance has come and gone? They are just too good to miss. I spoke to the mother of one of the mice. Her daughter is 10 years old and has been with the ensemble for 2 years. When I asked her how long she has been dancing, she said that her daughter has been dancing since she was 3 years old. Hopefully The Tapcracker will return next year, and you can see this marvelous holiday rendition for yourself, but in the meantime, open your 2026 calendar and save the date Saturday, May 9, 2026, for the Spring Concert Series. The Lady Hoofers will be appearing at the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts at 2:00 & 7:00 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at ladyhoofers.org
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