Here’s the story. It’s never been told in detail. Some may have heard bits and pieces. Others may have even witnessed it first hand live or on video, but none have really known the mindset of my tap dancing phase. Here is where you will finally hear the story.
Just released from prison, I had to decide which of my previous professions to return to - burglar or tap dancer. I dabbled with cat burglary but found fame and fortune in tap.
No, not really. If it was that glamorous I may have reason to maybe brag about the whole ordeal. Unfortunately that’s not the case. But it is the synopsis for Gregory Hines’ (may he rest in piece) movie, “TAP” and not my movie, “Glenn’s Life” (coming soon to a blog near you).
Back in the late 80s I was suffering through an ECON major at UCLA. I knew I’d eventually finish college with a degree I really didn’t want. There goes the entertainment field, I thought. And once in my life outside of highschool, I wanted to perform on stage. I knew I wouldn’t be able to nail a lead role in a play or anything and found a small dance studio in Glendale. I decided that I could be like Gregory Hines and make it as a tap dancer. I didn’t know anything about tap dancing and soon realized classic tap is not the style Gregory Hines was doing. But I figured it was a good base as I looked for jazz tap dancing studios. At least I’d get my feet wet.
This is when I commited to a stage performance put on by the dance studio. It was to be held at the Glendale Highschool Auditorium. It sounded like fun. I’d be performing on stage! And the small group of adult beginner tap students (which included me) chose a song to perform to. Unfortunately I had no say in the costume. I figured it’d be like Gregory Hines. Casual, cool, jazzy… you know… something I could be proud of.
That wasn’t the case. It was some tight tight baby blue dance pants with a silver sequin vest over a very “Sienfeldesque” shirt. It was totally gay (not that there’s anything wrong with that) but this is not what I expected! But I sucked it up and did it anyway.
Speeding through to the performance… only a select few were invited. And they laughed their ASSES OFF as I danced on stage. Not because it was funny-funny… but because it was funny that I was up there doing what I was doing and wearing what I was wearing. I guess it was kinda funny-funny. My sister videotaped it for prosperity. I think the tape mysteriously dissapeared.
I never put on my tap shoes after that day. Not once. I was retired.
On a side note… later in life I did perform on stage once again. This time as comic relief in two different plays in Hollywood. It’s never too late no matter what profession you had to settle with.
And that, as they say, is that. And now on to my writing life…
Read about my Tri-training here:
(TriathleteNut's Training Log Blog)
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