Rhapsody in Taps Delivers a Mixed Bag in Its Mixed Bill

Rhapsody in Taps, currently celebrating 19 years under the artistic direction of choreographer-dancer Linda Sohl-Donnell, gave its all in a nine-part program Sunday at Japan America Theatre, including four premieres. Its all, unfortunately, still occasionally veers into lackluster and misguided terrain, with signature frozen smiles reigning.

“Bufalino Bop/Section I,” a Los Angeles premiere choreographed by tap great Brenda Bufalino, proved an exception. Performed by Sohl-Donnell, Rashida Khan, Bob Carroll, Pauline Hagino and apprentices Mindy Millard and Christopher Burks, the work bubbled with hard-clapping rhythms, graceful floor-slides and an easy nonchalance.

The live stylings of Gildo Mahones (piano), Tim Misica (winds), Jardine Wilson (bass), Fritz Wise (drums) and Bob Fernandez (percussion) enhanced Bufalino’s score, as well as providing keen jazz accompaniment for the program’s first half.

Fred Strickler delivered hip-swiveling finesse to Mahones’ arrangement of “My Funny Valentine” in his improvised premiere, “Untitled,” his sharp spins a spirited counterpoint to Mahones’ moody trilling.

“Los Coyotes Diagonal,” a Sohl-Donnell premiere, featured the company (minus Strickler and Sohl-Donnell) in a neo-calypso number accentuated by whipping turns and unison lines, although Ro George’s unflattering pastel-colored costumes were more reminiscent of shower curtains than anything found south of the border.

The previously reviewed “Nusantara” attempted--mostly unsuccessfully--to fuse Balinese dance and music with tapping. As such, Rhapsody in Taps joined forces with the CalArts Balinese Gamelan, Burat Wangi, under the direction of I Nyoman Wenten.

The 40-minute, four-part suite did feature the effective premiere of “Kecak (Monkey Chant),” in which a dynamic Carroll let loose with a fusillade of taps, high kicks and complex footwork as the musicians, chanting in a circle behind him, created a voodoo-like atmosphere.