Theatre on Tap Presents Hoofing for Heroes Memorial Day Weekend as Tribute to Military Personnel

NEW ORLEANS - April 14, 2016 - PRLog -- Stars, stripes, and salutes will storm the stage Memorial Day weekend as Theatre on Tap presents Hoofing for Heroes, an All-American production that honors the men and women of the United States Armed Forces and benefits the Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP). Shows will run at New Orleans Center for Creative Arts on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, May 26th-28th at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 29th at 2:00 p.m. Both active duty and retired military personnel are invited to attend performances at no cost. All other tickets are available at http://www.theatreontap.com.

Theatre on Tap's Hoofing for Heroes will express gratitude for our nation's servicemen and women through a one-of-a-kind evening of song and dance at NOCCA's Lupin Hall that includes a spectacular star-spangled salute from 22 tap dancers accompanied by a seven-piece jazz ensemble. On Memorial Day last year, this blockbuster production packed the National WWII Museum's Stage Door Canteen for a single performance. This year, Theatre on Tap is remounting the show with four performances to reach and thank more members of the Armed Forces while also supporting the Wounded Warrior Project.

As words sometimes cannot express how thankful one truly is, this show uniquely offers appreciation through rhythm and a Service Salute featuring numbers like The Stars and Stripes Forever, The Caissons Go Rolling Along, The Marine Corps Hymn, Anchors Aweigh, Wild Blue Yonder, and Semper Paratus. Further, the powerful voice of Boutte family member Arsene Delay will fill the theatre with a beautiful rendition of "Amazing Grace" and "Battle Hymn of the Republic."

Other numbers include a song and dance tribute to America's Wartime Sweethearts, the Andrews Sisters, and an acappella work in which the dancers will use their tapping feet to emulate the sounds of a military drum line.

The show also celebrates National Tap Dance Day, May 25th, held annually on the birthday of legendary tap dancer and actor Bill "Bojangles" Robinson who also served with the 369th Infantry as a rifleman during World War I. Hoofing for Heroes also pays special tribute to America's finest tap dancers who served their country in addition to being stars of stage and screen such as Gene Kelly, Sammy Davis Jr., Judy Garland, Charles "Honi" Coles, Charles "Cholly" Atkins, Donald O'Connor, Fred Astaire, Eleanor Powell, and Ginger Rogers.

Leading the production is Emmy and three-time Big Easy Award winning artistic director and choreographer Heidi Malnar, music director Ainsley Matich, and vocalist Arsene Delay. It will also feature an ensemble of male and female tap dancers in original, historical, and tributary choreography as well as a Color Guard for each performance. Tickets ($15-$30) and information can be found at www.theatreontap.com.

Hoofing for Heroes is the second production by Theatre on Tap this year following the sold-out success Love Taps last February. Theatre on Tap is in its third season, bringing together the region's finest tap dancing talents while training younger generations in this truly American art form.