Tapcracker??

Seeing the words TAPCRACKER this week on the electronic billboard for Marin Center off the 101 might make you think you've have had too much eggnog, but, truly, The Tapcracker is another local, holiday tradition in Marin County. 

Tap, jazz, hip-hop, break-dance, and musical theater students of Dance with Sherry Studios will perform in two shows this Saturday. The story of the Tapcracker is similar to the classic Nutcracker tale, but it's a jazzier version, conceived and choreographed by principal/owner, Sherry Hines, to include opportunities for all forms of dance beyond ballet.  This is the place to take your kids to laugh out loud at dancing christmas trees, snowballs, snowflakes, dancing presents, sugar plum barbies, dancing gingerbread men, and rapping mice.

I spoke to Addicen Bauer, a third-grader at , about her participation in this unique dance production. Bauer said she was drawn to Dance with Sherry Studio from driving by it on the 101, and seeing the sign just past Marin Center on the frontage road. She started by taking hip-hop from Amanda Lucas, George Lucas's daughter. 

Now, she loves participating in Tapcracker. "I have been a dancing snowball, a mouse, a reindeer, and, this year, I am a bell and a jelly fish," said Bauer. (I bet you didn't even know jelly fish were a part of the holidays.) But she couldn't pick just one favorite part of the show. She said she loves it all and she loves the variety.

Another student from San Anselmo, Aidan Costello, ended up at Dance with Sherry when there was no room at the Inn in Marilynn Izdebski's beginning tap classes this past spring. Hines took Aidan in for private lessons immediately, and did so with great enthusiasm and personal attention. Aidan's mother said he was overjoyed and loved it from day one. 

"Sherry is a very special teacher and friend to all the children," she said. 

This past week, Hines brought a small group of the children to perform a mini-Tapcracker for the residents of a San Rafael assisted living home. Aidan performed as a tap dancing Ice Skater, tapping to The Skater's Waltz. 

"During the holidays is a wonderful time to teach children about giving back to our community, and this has always been a part of our school," said Hines.

IF YOU GO:

Now in it's 11th year, the Tapcracker, a humorous and quirky version of Clara's Christmas dream, runs Dec. 18, at 2 and 5 p.m. Tickets can be purchased through Marin Showcase Theater, 472-3500. Tickets are $12 for children 10 & under, and $20 for adults.