Are you in the mood for some toe-tappin‘, high-kickin’ comedy? If you are, be sure to make a stop at the Players Theatre in the Stevens Building Feb. 21-24, 26-28, or Mar. 1-3 at 8 p.m. to catch the NIU production of “Stepping Out.”

“Stepping Out” is a very popular play, according to Alan Bernstein, theatre arts department marketing director. This is the first time “Stepping Out” has been performed at NIU, although the Stage Coach Players in DeKalb did it last year, and it has also been performed in Rockford. “It’s a funny, funny story with song and dance,” Bernstein added.

The story’s basic plot is about a group of amateur tap dancers “who are coaxed, begged and threatened” by their teacher to be ready for an upcoming dance recital.

The cast of eight includes Mavis, the dance teacher, Mrs. Fraser, her pianist, and the six “hapless amateurs.” Throughout the play these bumbling dancers somehow get their act together in time for their big recital. In other words, said Bernstein, they go from being “totally lousy to being pretty okay.”

One might think that Mavis’ character is a bit stressed out, considering the enormous teaching task she has to accomplish by recital time. This is very true, and Bernstein said that she goes through a pack of cigarettes during the course of the play.

The majority of the play takes place in a church basement, and the big finale is the recital, which takes place in a theater setting. After a while the dancers start to bring in their traumatic personal problems, which tend to hinder their performing abilities. Bernstein said these problems are part of the humor included in “Stepping Out.”

The “Stepping Out” tappers have had minimal previous dance experience but they have been studying with Billie Mahoney, head of NIU’s dance program, since the last week of January. Their rehearsals have been pretty intense and Bernstein said after four hours of dance rehearals the actors-turned-tappers would be limping some mornings.

For ticket information on this “tapping” comedy call 753-1609 or 753-1600 or stop in at the Stevens Building ticket office.