Dance Review : Tappers Pay Tribute to Eddie Brown

More than a dozen tap dancers held a birthday love-in for ailing veteran tapper, Eddie Brown, 73, Sunday at the Morgan-Wixson Theatre in Santa Monica.

Initially, however, the event verged on calamity. About 50 more tickets than the 200-seat theater had seats had been sold in advance or reserved. Another 50 people or so lined up in the hope of purchasing tickets at the door.

Confusion led to a crush at the door and lots of frayed nerves. To accommodate the overflow, the management set up folding chairs in the aisles and seated other patrons on the steps of a stage set.

Fortunately, once the program began, a half-hour late, frustrations quickly gave way to delight at the high level of dancing. All the artists, a mix of local and out-of-town talent, gave tribute to Brown, who was in the audience. They had assembled to establish a scholarship fund in his name.

Preeminent was Dianne Walker for her airy, breathlessly light taps, neatly placed and slyly inflected. She ended an insouciant solo with a superbly controlled decrescendo that terminated in a fluttery trill.

The comic routines of San Francisco tapper Doba could hardly camouflage his mastery of sassy, intricate, speedy footwork.

Among the less familiar others, the Steps Ahead Tap Trio--Mark Mendonca, Fred (C.B.) Moritel and Michael Rainey--detonated volcanic rhythms in an unaccompanied showpiece. The brothers Chance and Zane Taylor proved adept at challenging each other in rapid rhythmic patter.

Debra Bray and Stephanie Dannelley toyed with the audience by finishing their duet in a drawn-out, slowed-down tempo. Dressed in a tux and a bowler hat, Dormeshia Sumbry danced with sophisticated ease and cushy taps.

Lynn Dally, Patricia Nealy, Linda Sohl-Donnell and Fred Strickler made stylish contributions.

Pianist Doug Walter, bassist Carl Sealov and drummer Jerry Kalaf provided the music, with saxophonist Steve Fowler an occasional contributor. Stacy Rowles sang a song composed by Brown and also played trumpet.

The program had opened with a video of Brown dancing and playing the piano. Video greetings from Gregory Hines and Jimmy Slyde, among others, opened the second half, after which Fayard Nicholas announced four official proclamations honoring Brown.