by Michele Markarian

“Ayodele Casel: Chasing Magic”.  Created by Ayodele Casel.  Directed by Torya Beard.  Original Compositions and Music Direction: Crystal Monee Hall. Presented by American Repertory Theater, Loeb Drama Center, 64 Brattle Street, Cambridge, through October 9.

It’s hard to imagine a more apropos season opener for American Repertory Theater than the joyful exuberance and shared fellowship of “Ayodele Casel: Chasing Magic”.  During the 70-minute performance of tap dance, the audience was held sway by the energy of the artists and the selfless way in which they shared their work.

“I live among superheroes.  Tap dancers are superheroes.  Musicians are superheroes,” Ayodele tells us.  Her energy is infectious; her respect for her fellow performers, as well as her audience, is palpable. She grew up adoring the films of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, thinking that the world of dance was beyond the grasp of a Black and Puerto Rican daughter of the Bronx. Then she discovered other tap artists – Dianne Walker, Gregory Hines, Savion Glover. The rest is herstory.

Read more “A Magical Evening at A.R.T. with “Ayodele Casel: Chasing Magic””