SURF THE MUSICAL TO Play Hollywood Resort & Casino, 6/11

Surf the Musical, the feel-good production highlighting the hits of The Beach Boys and the happy times of 1960s California beach life, is already the word thanks to its all-star cast and crew, including the mastermind choreographer RJ Durell.

“I am thrilled to bring new life to the iconic Beach Boys music through dance by creating a synergy between modern day pop movement and classic 1960s dances,” said Durell. “Working with director Kristin Hanggi is an absolute dream, and it is an honor to help bring her vision to fruition.”

After living his dreams as a professional dancer, and performing in numerous movies, TV shows, music videos and Broadway musicals, Durell knew he wanted to challenge his artistic voice and transition into choreography. His first opportunity to share his choreographic talents was on the critically acclaimed musical Rock of Ages, which catapulted him into choreographic stardom. Soon after his work on Rock of Ages, Durell lent his artistic vision to both Madonna’s 2006 Confessions Tour and her 2010 Sticky & Sweet Tour, which earned him significant recognition within the dance industry. His emerging career became even more bustling during his work with performers such as Britney Spears, Ke$ha, Celine Dion, Ricky Martin, The Spice Girls, Selena Gomez, Hilary Duff, Cher Lloyd, and Keyshia Cole. Durell also lent his talents to Katy Perry’s highly successful California Dreams Tour.

Durell’s youthful energy and unrelenting work ethic bring a fun-loving twist to Surf the Musical. Adapting his high-energy choreography to director Kristin Hanggi’s original upbeat concept, Durell draws from his Hollywood experience to create an entertaining and joyful stage production. Audiences will revel in the new yet familiar moves seen in Surf the Musical.

Durell’s credits also include contributions to various other entertainment projects including, Cirque du Soleil’s Zumanity and Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour, MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew and Season 9 of American Idol. Commercially, RJ has choreographed a dance fitness campaign for Adidas, as well as campaigns for Coca-Cola, Fanta and Fruit of the Loom. His prime time credits include a ballet episode of CBS’ Cold Case Files, Nickelodeon’s original movie musical Spectacular!, Bravo’s hit reality show, Step It Up and Dance, Lifetime’s Your Mama Can’t Dance, and the major motion picture, Iron Man. In addition, Durell can also be seen in the upcoming Katy Perry 3D movie Part of Me, which hits theaters July 4th weekend.

Surf the Musical promises to be Las Vegas’ hottest new musical extravaganza, as audiences are transported into the magic of the early 1960s and the sweet sounds of summer enhanced by such memorable Beach Boy hits as “California Girls,” “Help Me, Rhonda,” “I Get Around,” “Fun, Fun, Fun,” “God Only Knows,” “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” and many, many more.

Surf the Musical performs nightly (dark Thursdays) starting June 11 at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. Show times are 7:00 p.m. except Saturdays at 5:30 p.m., with additional performances on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are priced at $144, $104, $84 and $64, excluding taxes and fees and can be purchased in person at the Planet Hollywood Showroom Box Office, online at www.surfthemusical.com and www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at (800) 745-3000. To purchase tickets for groups of 10 or more, call (866) 633-0195.

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