7 p.m. Thursday, 7 p.m. Saturday

Brave New Workshop Theater

Yawning is contagious. It takes just one yawner, and soon everyone in the room has yawned.

It is a strange phenomenon with vague scientific theories, but mainly, the yawning effect shows how humans feed off of each other’s vibes and absorb each other’s energy.

Theater is most effective when the actors can capture that special human bond that makes the audience feel especially a part of the show. But it is a more difficult task to get people to smile and laugh or frown and cry along with you than to yawn with you.

The dancers in “Buckets and Tap Shoes” tap with such large goofy grins plastered across their faces, you cannot help but stretch your mouth muscles along with them.

It would be easy to write off “Buckets” as an mateurish “Stomp” or “Bring in Da Noise, Bring in Da Funk.” The dancers are certainly talented tappers and percussionists, but there are enough slip-ups and awkward transitions to know “Buckets” will not be a Broadway smash anytime soon. The cast though, has no illusions about this, which makes “Buckets” relaxed and enjoyable. The show doesn’t feel particularly theatrical; it’s more like dropping by a house party or a group of friends just hanging out.

At one point in the show, all the lights turn off and the dancers take turns clicking their shoes around the Brave New Workshop with a flashlight pointed at their feet. The group huddles in a semicircle for the climax with flashing lights and furious tapping.

Another highlight is when the dancers battle one another, trying to out-tap their neighbors. The battles always end with chests puffed out, as if to say: “Bring it on!”

These moments showcase the group’s talent and keep “Buckets” from being purely a group of silly friends. Still, “Buckets and Tap Shoes’ ” greatest element is the infectious charisma the group generates.