Cats Paying Dues
2005-2015

About

Cats Paying Dues/CPD PLUS, presented critically and popularly acclaimed work from 2005-2015. The company debuted with All For Love (2005, Mainstage Theatre at Playwrights Horizons). Subsequent seasons Where the Music Lives (2008, Julia Miles Theatre, NY) and Echoes In Time (2009, LaGuardia Performing Arts Center, NY; The Egg, NY; Landmark on Mainstreet, NY) were described as “a welcome return to the elegance of simplicity and the tap dancer as maker of aural magic” (exploredance.com) and “the complete journey through American tap…” (the Daily Gazette). Other appearances include The QAS at Webster Hall (NYC), Jamaica Performing Arts Center (NY), The Skirball Center for the Performing Arts (NYC), the Wesleyan University Center for the Arts (CT), Williams College (MA), MASS MoCA (MA) and Celebrate Brooklyn! (NYC). Return performances include Norte Maar’s Fete De Danse (NY) the Tap Extravaganza (NY), DUMBO Dance Festival (NYC), and the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon (National Broadcast). The company has also been in residence at BRIClab (NYC) and the LaGuardia Performing Arts Center (NYC).

People

Founding Members

Name Year(s)
Michelle Dorrance 2004-2006
Andrew Nemr 2005-2015
Nicholas Young 2004-2005

Alumni

Name Repertoire Year(s)
Kurt Csolak Echoes in Time 2008-2011
Mallory Davis Echoes in Time, Three Suites 2013-2015
Veronica Day Echoes in Time 2010-2011
Jessica Gersony Echoes in Time, Three Suites 2012-2015
Orlando Hernandez All For Love, Where the Music Lives 2005-2009
Khalid Hill All For Love 2013-2015
Alex MacDonald Echoes in Time, Three Suites 2009-2015
Alicia Monaco Echoes in Time 2008-2011
Carlos Morales Echoes in Time, Three Suites 2012-2015
Alisa Paradowski Echoes in Time 2009-2011
Alexandra Pizzo Echoes in Time, Three Suites 2013-2015
Kacey Prishwalko All For Love 2005-2007
Gemini Quintos All For Love, Where The Music Lives 2007-2009
Claudia Rahardjanoto All For Love, Where The Music Lives 2005-2008
Stephen Sainato Echoes in Time 2012-2015
Rebecca Snow All For Love, Where The Music Lives 2007-2009
Daniel Starer-Stor Echoes in Time 2008-2010
Jason Stump Three Suites 2013-2015
Tommy Sutter Echoes in Time, Three Suites 2012-2015
Gina Unverferth Echoes in Time 2010-2013
Maggie Venti Echoes in Time 2010-2013
Penelope Wendtlandt Echoes in Time 2008-2011

Guest Members

Name Shows Year(s)
Naoyuki Hashimoto Three Suites 2015
Adele Joel Three Suites 2015

Repertoire

Name Year(s)
All For Love 2005
Cats In Concert 2007-2014
Where the Music Lives 2008
Just for Kids 2009-2012
Come Together 2009-2013
Echoes in Time 2009-2012
Three Suites 2015

Press

“Nemr, a tapper extraordinaire, has taken on the massive task of reviving the superlative steps and styles of the late masters Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, Jimmy Slyde, Buster Brown, Bubba Gaines and Chuck Green…Nemr stirs the soul with his devotion to this quest and his ability to achieve it with stunning accuracy.”
– Wendy Liberatore, The Daily Gazette

“Nemr took the audience on the complete journey through American tap.”
– Wendy Liberatore, The Daily Gazette

“Perhaps one of Nemr’s greatest contributions to tap, to be honored someday by the next generation, is his skill in making tap dance an ensemble form….Nemr borrows artfully from the structures and compositions of modern dance while retaining all the spirit and individuality of tap.”
– Tresca Weinstein, The Time Union

“Andrew J. Nemr has built a disciplined, likable ensemble in CPD Plus (the initials stand for Cats Paying Dues). Its “Where the Music Lives,” at the Julia Miles Theater, features five tap dancers and seven musicians, including the ridiculously cool musical director Tommy James, a longtime collaborator of Savion Glover’s”
– Claudia LaRocco, The New York Times

“You want to stick around for the ride”
– Claudia LaRocco, The New York Times

“Mr. Nemr pays homage to tap and jazz masters”
– Claudia LaRocco, The New York Times

“Nemr was a protégé of the late Gregory Hines and it shows in the way he manages to combine a jazzy, laid back, seemingly effortless attitude with conspicuous speed, precision, and complicated footwork”
– ExploreDance.com

“Andrew J. Nemr marks a welcome return to the elegance of simplicity and the tap dancer as maker of aural magic.”
– ExploreDance.com

“Most impressive throughout was the way in which the tap dancer actually became the musician”
– ExploreDance.com

“Even if you don’t know a buck from a wing you can tell Nemr and his troupe are something special.”
– Financial Times

“Swiftly moving, stylish numbers”
– Financial Times

“LaDuca Shoes has outfitted over 50 Broadway shows.  This is the first time I can say that I am proud and honored to have my shoes showcased in a production.”
– Phil LaDuca, Proprietor, LaDuca Shoes

“Andrew’s got a great show. He’s moving in the right direction and we all better follow him.”
– Harold “Stumpy” Cromer, Entertainer

Come Together: Tapping Into the Rhythm of Feeling – The New Milford Patch

Breaking Silence – Dance Teacher Magazine

explore more ART by ANDREW NEMR
Andrew Nemr © 2024
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