CAPEZIO's 125th Anniversary Show Set for April 23

Capezio will celebrate 125 years of excellence with a one-night only special show on Monday, April 23 at 7:00 pm at New York City Center, 131 West 55 Street (btwn. 6th & 7th Ave) NYC. The show highlights some of history of Capezio. This is a dance show/celebration with a great diversity of American dance talent, including performers from: American Ballet Theatre, Ann Reinking, Bad Boys of Dance, Break the Floor, Cirque du Soleil, Dance Sport Ballroom, Desmond Richardson, Iluminate, Industrial Rhythm, Mark Stuart Dance Theater, MOMIX, Mr. Wiggles, New York City Ballet, Noah Racey and the New York Song and Dance Company, Rock Steady Crew, The Rockettes, So You Think You Can Dance, Tommy Tune, Travis Hall, and the World Cup All Stars Cheerleaders.

Some of the proceeds from the event will benefit: BROADWAY CARES/EQUITY FIGHTS AIDS, AMERICAN TAP DANCE FOUNDATION and also the NATIONAL DANCE INSTITUTE.

Capezio 125th Anniversary Award bennefiting Dizzy Feet Foundation will be accepted by Nigel Lythgoe.

The 61st annual Capezio Dance Award will be given to Tommy Tune.

The show is conceived and directed by Ann Marie DeAngelo, who is an international producer, director and choreographer. She was a star of the Joffrey Ballet and featured in Time magazine as one of America?s leading ballerinas, and performed internationally as a guest artist. The Music Director is Jim Morgan and the Lighting Design is by Brad Fields.

The Icon of Dance,? Salvatore Capezio was born in Italy, and at seventeen opened his shop near the old Metropolitan Opera House in NYC. The sign above his door read: “The Theatrical & Historical Shoemaker.”?His business began by repairing theatrical shoes for the Met. The day he created an emergency pair of shoes for Jean De Reszke, he quickly made the transition from cobbler to shoemaker. He discovered dance shoes, pointe shoes in particular, to be a challenge. His customers discovered that few were as determined as Capezio to take that on.?Soon the shop became a place for dancers to stop by to discuss their needs and pick up his shoes. Angelina Passone, a La Scala graduate, lingered over the discussion and later became his wife. ?As his popularity grew, dancers from around the world made it a point to visit. Anna Pavlova purchased Capezio® pointe shoes for herself and her entire company during her first U.S. tour. Her praise ensured Salvatore’s success.?Eventually, he entrusted his shoemaking techniques to his family. They joined him in the business and the exceptional reputation continued to spread. By the 1930s his products were dancing across Broadway in the Ziegfeld Follies and in dozens of other shows. In 1941, Claire McCardell showed the Capezio® long-sole ballet shoe with her fashion collection. ?The enthusiastic response provoked Lord & Taylor, Neiman Marcus and other major stores to purchase the footwear. In 1949 Capezio® made the cover of Vogue. In 1952, Capezio® received the Coty Award, fashion’s highest accolade. The Capezio® Dance Award was established in 1952 to honor those who make a long-standing, significant contribution to dance. The Capezio® Foundation was established in 1953 to promote and recognize ongoing achievements in dance.?Plenty of the world’s greatest performers have recognized Capezio® as the only way to dance.?Now third and fourth generation family members continue the legacy of craft, innovation and commitment. ?With prevalent industry use of computerization and robotics, Capezio® Special Make-up Department still hand crafts footwear for an eclectic mix of performers. Scores of casts from Broadway, Radio City Music Hall to Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Circus and Disney; as well as television and films such as “So You Think You Can Dance,” to the “BLACK SWAN” use Capezio® products. The dedication of Capezio® to providing dancers with technologically advanced, quality tools for their art continues to inspire innovations. ?Capezio® proudly introduced revolutionary footwear to the industry with the Dansneaker®, footUndeez®, tap shoes with Tele Tone® taps and the Rayow system, the Pedini® styles, the acclaimed FizzionTM and several favorites made with PowerPointe Construction®. Capezio® regards dance as an art form, a lifestyle and an attitude. Capezio® is more committed to dance now more than ever.

Tickets for the event are can be bought at the City Center Box Office, or by contacting CITYTIX at 212 581-1212 or on the web at nycitycenter.org. The tickets are: $45, $55, $75 and $90.