Educational Media Reviews Online

Tap or Die is an homage to tap dancing loosely structured around auditions for the New York premiere of the Chicago tap show, Imagine Tap! However, the film hits its stride when interviewees discuss race, gender, and the history of tap dancing.

The documentary intercuts audition footage for Imagine Tap! with interviews of its co-creators Aaron Tolson and Derick K. Grant, as well as those with Dianne (Lady Di) Walker, Ella Baff from Jacob’s Pillow, and the Petronios. All of these participants express an outpouring of love for the art of tap dancing.

Yet once the film starts to discuss the history of tap dancing, it becomes clear that tap dancing has its roots in an American melting pot that has made its history both fascinating and complicated. The topics of the ethnic roots of tap dance, African American identity and its relationship to tap, and the 1970s tap revival are all discussed. Equally interesting is the discussion of Gregory Hines and Savion Glover, who have both had legendary impact on tap, though the later not without controversy among his fellow tappers.

Still photos and footage are included, but don’t expect to see feature film or Broadway footage of these tap stars in this film. This lack of documentation may dissuade libraries from purchasing this film, but the discussions about the history and present state of tap, combined with the interviews and brief performance footage of contemporary tap masters, makes this film recommended for academic libraries supporting dance and African American studies.