Jason's angels rock The Kitchen

Let's keep this short and sweet, since you don't really have a lot of time to get tickets for Charlie's Angels, the tap dance production created by Jason Samuels Smith, given its New York premiere at The Kitchen. Curator Rashida Bumbray--who taps herself and has brought a wonderful tap jam to The Kitchen--seems intent on making this home for experimental arts a place to see a classic art swing out its juiciest experiments. Well, Samuel Smith's experiment--after three years in development--turns out to be a doozy.

The angels in question are celebrated tap dynamos Chloé Arnold, Michelle Dorrance and Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards, and the Charlie in question is Parker. The mission? To faithfully tap out the notes and rhythms in Parker's bebop, no matter how devilishly fast and complex.

Do they do it? And how! They get it done, note for note, and with Arnold's irrepressible radiance, Dorrance's punkish footwork, and Sumbry-Edwards's mastery and elegance. And they do it, mainly, in high heels--backwards, forwards, side-to-side.

Highlight's include the trio's powerhouse opening ("Donna Lee"), freer-swinging audience faves like "Half Nelson (original take 2)" and "Cheryl," Sumbry-Edwards's flowing "Embraceable You," and the amazing closer, "Salt Peanuts."

The show also boasts excellent lighting by Sue Samuels, intricate, imaginative costuming by Gingie McLeod/Dindi Designs, spoken word by Craig 'muMs' Grant, and the delicious saxophone playing of Stacy Dillard in evocative interludes. Just under an hour, it moves so swiftly that, when it's over, you'll be left blinking in amazement.

So, get over there! There are two shows today: 3pm and 8pm. Here's the info/ticket link.