BURN THE FLOOR Comes To Philly At Academy Of Music 11/12-14

BURN THE FLOOR is coming to Philadelphia for a limited engagement Nov. 12 - 14, direct from Broadway. The tour features "So You Think You Can Dance" alums Anya Garnis, Pasha Kovalev, Ashleigh Di Lello, Ryan Di Lello, Robbie Kmetoni, Janette Manrara and Karen Hauer. All seven have been seen on TV's "So You Think You Can Dance," in the US (Anya & Pasha, Top 10 Finalists and Season 7 All Stars; Ashleigh & Ryan Di Lello, Janette Manrara and Karen Hauer, Top 10 Finalists) and Australia (Robbie Kmetoni, 2010 Winner). Also featured is Vonzell Solomon as the show's female vocalist. Vonzell was the second runner-up in the 4th season of "American Idol." BURN THE FLOOR is part of the Broadway Season, presented by the Kimmel Center in association with The Shubert Organization.

Years before "Dancing with the Stars" and "So You Think You Can Dance" turned ballroom dancing into must-see TV, one sizzling show was setting stages ablaze around the globe. BURN THE FLOOR, the electrifying Latin and Ballroom dance spectacular that has thrilled audiences in more than 30 countries, brings the fire and passion of their live performance to the Academy of Music stage.

Tickets from $16.60 - $72.50 are on sale now and can be purchased by calling 215-731-3333, online at kimmelcenter.org/broadway, at the Kimmel Center box office, Broad & Locust Sts.(open daily 10 am to 6 pm) or at the Academy of Music box office (open during performances only). Groups of 10 or more will receive discounts for select performances by calling 215-790-5883. Performances include: Friday & Saturday evenings at 8:00 pm; Sunday evening at 6:30 pm; matinees Saturday at 2:00 pm and Sunday at 1:00 pm.

With BURN THE FLOOR, you will feel, live on stage, all the passion, drama and sizzling excitement of 20 gorgeous champion dancers in a true theatrical experience, a performance with a grace and athleticism that The New York Times calls "Dazzling!" The Times (London) calls it "the summer's hottest ticket"!

From Harlem's hot nights at The Savoy, where dances such as the Lindy, Foxtrot and Charleston were born, to the Latin Quarter where the Cha-Cha, Rumba and Salsa steamed up the stage, Burn the Floor takes audiences on a journey through the passionate drama of dance. The elegance of the Viennese Waltz, the exuberance of the Jive, the intensity of the Paso Doble - audiences will experience them all, as well as the Tango, Samba, Mambo, Quickstep and Swing.

BURN THE FLOOR is directed and choreographed by Jason Gilkison.

Featured Dancers:

Anya Garnis (Dancer). Original Burn the Floor Broadway & West End cast member. On the TV show "SYTYCD," Anya was handed a first-class ticket on the "Hot Tamale Train," and her career has been sizzling ever since. Guest dancer on "Dancing with the Stars," "Superstars of Dance" and the Academy Awards. Born in Latvia, she has been a ballroom superstar for the last ten years. "SYTYCD" season 7 as an All-Star professional this summer.

Pasha Kovalev (Dancer). Original Burn the Floor Broadway & West End cast member. Born in Siberia, Russia, Pasha started dancing at age 8. Following a successful career in ballroom competition, he has appeared on many TV shows including "So You Think You Can Dance," "Dancing with the Stars" and "Superstars of Dance." "SYTYCD" season 7 as an All-Star professional this summer.

ASHLEIGH DI LELLO (Dancer). Original Burn the Floor West End cast member. Ashleigh fell in love with ballroom dancing when she was 12 and became a Dance Sport Junior Latin Champion and a United States Junior American Latin Finalist. After a six-year break due to illness, Ashleigh returned to ballroom dancing and has since become a three-time Dance Sport Amateur Latin Champion and a United States Amateur Latin Finalist. Ashleigh has performed and taught in 19 different countries and has most recently made it all the way to the finale of the Fox television show "So You Think You Can Dance" with her husband Ryan.

RYAN DI LELLO (Dancer). Original Burn the Floor West End cast member. Ryan began dancing at age 4 and began ballroom at age 9. He has since become a two-time amateur Latin runner-up and the Youth American champion. In college, he competed and performed with the team throughout North America and Europe, winning the World Latin Formation Championships in Blackpool, England. Recently, Ryan has enjoyed teaching and dancing in professional shows throughout the world with his wife and dance partner Ashleigh. They auditioned together for the sixth season of Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance." Not only are they the first married couple to make the show, but they both went all the way to the finale.

ROBBIE KMETONI (Dancer). Original Burn the Floor West End cast member. Robbie won season 3 of "So You Think You Can Dance" (Australia) at only 19. Specializing in Contemporary, Robbie is a versatile dancer having studied a wide variety of different styles, including Ballet, Jazz and Hip Hop with Brent Street, Sydney Dance Company and Alvin Ailey. He has made numerous television appearances and performed at dance festivals across Australia and in the U.S. Robbie is thrilled to be making his professional touring debut with Jason Gilkison and Burn the Floor on the West End and U.S. tour.

JANETTE MANRARA (Dancer). Original Burn the Floor West End cast member. Janette began musical theatre at age 12 and formal dance training at 19, studying Ballroom, Ballet, Pointe, Jazz and Hip Hop & Salsa. Janette was a finalist from season 5 "So You Think You Can Dance" and toured with finalists. Appeared on the "82nd Annual Academy Awards" and danced with Jennifer Lopez on the "SYTYCD" finale. She is a principal dancer on Fox's "Glee" and Glee Live Tour.

Karen Hauer (Dancer). Original Burn the Floor Broadway & West End cast member. Born in Venezuela, Karen began to dance shortly after arriving in NYC at 8 years old. She attended LaGuardia HS of the Performing Arts. 2008 World Mambo Champion. "SYTYCD" (U.S.) top 12.

Featured Vocalist:

VONZELL SOLOMON (Vocalist), better known as "Baby V," is an international singer, songwriter, producer, recording artist, model and actress. She was the second runner-up in the 4th season of the FOX Television series "American Idol." Following her amazing performances on "Idol," she launched her own record label, Melodic Records. Vonzell is presently putting the finishing touches on her highly anticipated sophomore CD release. She is thrilled to be making her US Tour debut with this fabulous show, Burn the Floor! www.vonzellbabyvsolomon.com / twitter.com/vonzellsolomon

The Broadway Season is presented by the Kimmel Center in association with The Shubert Organization. In addition to Burn The Floor, the 2010 - 2011 Broadway Season productions at the Academy of Music, Forrest Theatre and Merriam Theater will include: Jersey Boys (Sept. 30 - Dec. 12) at the Forrest Theatre; South Pacific (Nov. 23 - 28); Les Miserables (Jan. 4 - 16); In The Heights ( Jan. 18 - 23); Mary Poppins (Mar. 26 - Apr. 17); Next To Normal (June 21 - 26) all at the Academy of Music. Additional shows will include: Blue Man Group (Dec. 22 - Jan. 2) and Stomp (Feb. 15 - 20), both at the Merriam Theater.

Kimmel Center, Inc., a charitable, not-for-profit organization, owns, manages, supports and maintains The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, which includes Verizon Hall, Perelman Theater, Innovation Studio and the Merck Arts Education Center. Kimmel Center, Inc. also manages the Academy of Music, owned by the Philadelphia Orchestra Association, and the Merriam Theater. The Kimmel Center includes arts in education, community outreach and a rich diversity of programming proudly sponsored by Citibank, Verizon, and American Airlines. For additional information, visit kimmelcenter.org.

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