Production History

Richard Harris’s Stepping Out ran November 20–December 12, 1992, at 400 W. Main Street, during Season 9 (1992–1993). It was CST’s final indoor production before the winter break. The comedy follows eight amateur tap students, their instructor Mavis, and accompanist Mrs. Fraser in a North London church hall. As the students prepare for a public performance, their uneven dancing gives way to growing confidence, friendship, and shared accomplishment. In his original director’s note, Doug Bentin emphasized the dignity of trying and the satisfaction of accomplishing something together.

CST Connections

Doug Bentin later played John Smith in Run for Your Wife (June 1993), the final regular indoor subscription production of the same season.
Marilyn Ragan subsequently operated sound for Our Country’s Good (1993) and played Barbara Smith in Run for Your Wife.
Jaymee Phillips had appeared in and assisted with directing CST’s preceding production. She later played Mrs. Boyle in Prelude to a Kiss (1993).
Hildreth Langoc previously served on the lighting crew for Six Women with Brain Death (1990).
Cheryl Varnell later choreographed CST’s 1990 and 2005 revivals of Six Women with Brain Death.
Fred Kirkland worked on the running crew for the season opener, Rumors (1992), and later played John Wisehammer in Our Country’s Good.
Elaine Warner later supplied publicity photographs for Prelude to a Kiss (1993).

Press and Photography

“‘Stepping Out’ Comedy on Tap” — The Oklahoman, November 20, 1992, opening-day coverage.
“Tap Dancers Two-Dimensional” — The Oklahoman, December 3, 1992, contemporary review attributed to John Brandenburg in the supplied research.

Licensing

Produced by special arrangement with Samuel French. Current performance licensing for Richard Harris’s original play is available through Concord Theatricals.

THEATRE UP CLOSE & PERSONAL

Lucy Warner