Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice

Pro Dance News 2nd Aug 2023

All the latest news from Dincwear Pro Dancewear.

Strictly Come Dancing’s Giovanni Pernice confirms he will miss group dances.

Strictly Come Dancing's Giovanni Pernice confirms he will miss group dances.

Strictly Come Dancing star Giovanni Pernice has confirmed he will miss some of the group dances for the upcoming series of the show.

Preparations for the 21st series of the BBC show are firmly underway, with the group routines often being filmed before the live episodes in order to give the professionals more time with their celebrity partners.

Pernice, however, will not be a part of all the group dances following an ankle injury, which he sustained during a performance on his current tour with Strictly judge Anton Du Beke.

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Strictly Come Dancing’s Janette Manrara gives birth to first child.

Strictly Come Dancing’s Janette Manrara gives birth to first child.

Strictly Come Dancing stars Janette Manrara and Aljaz Skorjanec have welcomed their first child together.

The married couple announced the news by sharing a photo on Instagram of Manrara, 39, in a hospital bed cradling the newborn baby while Skorjanec, 33, leaned over them with a beaming smile.

They said the baby had been born on Friday (29 July) and had been named Lyra Rose Skorjanec.
Friends and famous faces congratulated the couple, including Strictly Come Dancing professional Gorka Marquez who wrote: “So gorgeous!!!”

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‘New York, New York’ Will End Its Abbreviated Run on Broadway.

‘New York, New York’ Will End Its Abbreviated Run on Broadway.

The big-budget musical that tried to position itself as a nostalgic love letter to the city will close after a summer of dropping sales.

“New York, New York,” a big-budget musical that tried to position itself as a nostalgic love letter to the city, will close on July 30 after underwhelming critics and failing to find a sufficient audience to sustain a Broadway run.

The musical was the costliest swing of the last theater season, with a $25 million capitalization, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission; that money has not been recouped. The show’s budget was bigger than that of other musicals currently arriving Broadway, although costs have been rising, and the musicals with the largest companies and the most stage spectacle are increasingly costing more than $20 million.

“New York, New York” started off respectably at the box office, with weekly grosses initially hovering around $1 million. But the musical has been expensive to run, with a large cast and a sizable orchestra, and its sales have been dropping problematically this summer. During the week that ended July 16, “New York, New York” grossed $692,051 and played to houses that were only 68 percent full, according to the most recent figures released by the Broadway League.

At the time of its closing, “New York, New York” will have played 33 preview and 110 regular performances.

The musical, directed and choreographed by Susan Stroman, opened on April 26 and faced mixed to negative reviews. In The New York Times, the critic Elisabeth Vincentelli called it “sprawling, unwieldy, surprisingly dull.”

The show was nominated for nine Tony Awards, and it won one, for Beowulf Boritt’s scenic design.

Sonia Friedman and Tom Kirdahy are the musical’s lead producers. In May they announced plans for a national tour of the musical starting in January 2025, but on Sunday evening, when they announced the closing date, they said only that “discussions are underway for a North American tour.”

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Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations to end West End run early.

Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations to end West End run early..

Producers of the West End premiere of Ain’t Too Proud have today confirmed that the show will end its run at the Prince Edward Theatre on Sunday, 17 September 2023. It was previously scheduled to close on 7 January 2024.

The musical tells the story of legendary Motown group, The Temptations, tracing their extraordinary journey from the streets of Detroit to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Numbers include “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination,” “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone,” “Get Ready,” and “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg,” among many others.

It received a glowing review from WhatsOnStage, being described as “a couple of hours of unalloyed pleasure, and that deserves to be a great big fat popular hit.”

The West End cast is led by Cameron Bernard Jones as Melvin Franklin, Kyle Cox as Paul Williams, Sifiso Mazibuko as Otis Williams, Mitchell Zhangazha as Eddie Kendricks, and Tosh Wanogho-Maud as David Ruffin.

The ensemble includes Evonnee Bentley-Holder, Natalia Brown, Ryan Carter, Hannah Fairclough, Christopher Gopaul, Daniel Haswell, Naomi Katiyo, Akmed Junior Khemalai, Holly Liburd, Darnell Mathew-James, Simeon Montague, Posi Morakinyo, Sadie-Jean Shirley, Michael James Stewart, Toyan Thomas-Browne, Dylan Turner and Kevin Yates.

Ain’t Too Proud is written by Dominique Morisseau, a recipient of the prestigious Kennedy Prize. The musical reunites director Des McAnuff, a two-time Tony Award winner, with Sergio Trujilio, the Tony and Olivier Award-winning choreographer, known for their work on the hit show Jersey Boys.

The production features scenic design by Tony Award nominee Robert Brill, costume design by Tony Award winner Paul Tazewell, lighting design by Tony Award winner Howell Binkley, sound design by Tony Award winner Steve Canyon Kennedy, and projection design by Drama Desk Award winner Peter Nigrini. Charles G LaPointe handles hair and wig design, while music supervision and arrangements are by Kenny Seymour, orchestrations by Drama Desk Award winner Harold Wheeler, and music direction by Matt Smith. Pippa Ailion CDG and Natalie Gallacher CDG are responsible for casting.

The show is now set to play its final performance this September.

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General News & Sighting

  • Lizzo and her production company is being sued by 3 former dancers over allegations of sexual harassment and the creation of a hostile work environment. The complaint was filed in L.A.
  • Amy Dowden will not compete in Strictly this year due to undergoing chemotherapy. We wish Amy the very best of luck.
  • Janette & Aljaz announced the birth of baby Lyra Rose. Many congratulations.
  • Carlos Acosta is to open a dance centre in South East London in September. This will offer dance classes, courses and performances.
  • Ash-Leigh Hunter and partner Phil Burton won “Dancing With The Stars” in Australia.
  • The Ballet Icons Gala will take place at the London Coliseum on the 17th of March 2024.
  • Complete casting has been revealed for “Flowers For Mrs Harris”. Jenna Russell will star as Ada Harris. Anjali Mehra is the movement director and the assistant director is Teenie Macleod. Casting was by Jane Deitch.
  • The final cast has been announced for “Death Note – The Musical”. We spotted the following dancers in the ensemble: Charlotte Coggin, Jade Copas and Janine Somcio. The production is directed and choreographed by Nick Winston and takes place at the London Palladium on the 21st & 22nd of August and the Lyric Theatre from the 7th to the 10th of September.
  • Frankie Bridge will join the cast of “2.22 A Ghost Story” in August until the 17th of September.
  • New cast members have been announced for the UK & Ireland tour of “The Lion King”. They will join the production on the 5th of September.
  • The producers of the West End show “Ain’t Too Proud” have confirmed that it will close on the 17th of September.
  • In America, Jeremy Jordan and Eva Noblezada will star in the “Great Gatsby” musical at the Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey opening on the 12th of October. It has choreography by Dominique Kelley.

    Future Dance Events News

    • “Treason The Musical” confirms its initial touring cast. It will star Nicole Raquel Dennis, Joe McFadden and Emilie Louise Israel and open at the Edinburgh Festival theatre on the 25th of October.
    • New British musical “Kin” is to have a staged concert at Theatro Technis in London from the 1st to the 4th of November. It will star Joseph Peacock.
    • The full company has been confirmed for the new International tour of “Hamilton” which will commence in Manila on the 17th of September. The cast is led by Jason Arrow as Alexander Hamilton.
    • “An Officer and a Gentleman” is set to embark on a new tour in February 2024 starting in Birmingham. The choreographer is Joanna Goodwin.
    • Leeds Playhouse will stage “Oliver” in the round from the 27th of November until the 27th of January 2024.
    • “Diana the Musical” will open at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith, London, on the 4th of December. It will star Kerry Ellis and Maiya Quansah-Breed.
    • “Standing at the Sky’s Edge” will run at the Gillian Lynne theatre from the 8th of February 2024. The choreography is by Lynne Page.
    • New musical “Lizzie” has confirmed its tour dates plus a London run. It will open at the Hope Mill theatre in Manchester on the 30th of September with Lauren Drewvill playing Lizzie Borden. The associate choreographer is Yandass Ndlovu.
    • “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” will embark on a UK tour from April 2024, opening in Southampton on the 30th of April 2024. The choreography is by Karen Bruce.
    • “Shucked” will open in the West End in 2024. The choreographer is Sarah O’Gleby.
    • The musical “Bonnie & Clyde” will be heading off on a tour of UK and Ireland in 2024, opening in Manchester on the 19th of March. It is directed and choreographed by Nick Winston.
    • “Come From Away” announced a UK and Ireland tour beginning in Leicester on the 1st of March 2024. The production is being cast by Pippa Ailion and Natalie Gallacher. The choreography is by Tara Wilkinson and Kirsty Malpas with Richard Hinds.
    • Manchester’s Hope Mill theatre will stage the world premiere of “To Wong Foo – The Musical”, based on the 1995 film, on the 21st of October. The cast and creative team is to be announced. The casting is by Sarah Leung.
    • “Hadestown” will open at the Lyric Theatre in the West End on the 10th of February 2024. The choreographer is David Neumann.
    • The Chaka Khan musical “I’m Every Woman” announced plans to open in London. It will workshop in the West End in November. The director will be Racky Plews.
    • The new musical “Starter for Ten” will premiere in Bristol next year at the Old Vic theatre from the 29th of February until the 30th of March 2024.
    • “The King And I” will return to the West End in early 2024 starring Helen George and Darren Lee.
    • “Sister Act – The Musical” will return to the Dominion theatre in the West End on the 15th of March 2024. It will star Beverley Knight and Alexandra Burke. The choreography is by Alistair David.
    • The lead cast has been unveiled for “We Will Rock You” opening in the West End. It will star Lee Mead and Brenda Edwards.
    • The upcoming “Wicked” tour has announced its lead casting. Laura Pick will play Elphaba. The show will open in Edinburgh on the 7th of December. The choreography is by Wayne Cilento.
    • “Jesus Christ Superstar” will tour the UK in 2023/4 opening in Manchester this September. The choreography is by Drew McOnie.
    • “The Wizard of Oz” will embark on a UK tour at Liverpool Empire on the 13th of December. The choreography is by Shay Barclay.

      Auditions & Vacancies

      • Addict Dance Academy is hiring an Acting teacher. For more information, contact: gareth@addictdanceacademy.co.uk
      • Nathan Clarke is looking for strong commercial dancers for a project in Madrid. You can DM Nathan on his Instagram account.
      • LaDuca Shoes is looking for a Manager based at its store in Covent Garden. For more information, contact: siobhan@laduca.co.uk by the 25th of August.
      • Aerowaves and The Place, London, is looking for 20 emerging choreographers based in Europe. Apply by the 10th of August.
      • Rouge in Las Vegas is looking for male dancers. Contact: castofstrat@gmail.com
      • Birmingham Royal Ballet is looking for a repetiteur. Have a look at the company website for details.
      • Ballet Black is auditioning in America for new dancers for the 2023/4 season. For more information, contact: admin@balletblack.co.uk with “US Audition” in the heading.
      • Bird College is looking for a Tap tutor, with a focus on Musical Theatre, to begin in September. Have a look at the website for more details.
      • Emil Dale Academy is looking for freelance Ballet teachers. There is more information at: info@emildale.co.uk

      Dance Classes

      • Ryan Lee Seager and Sam Fleet are holding a “Finesse Your Craft” workshop on the 9th of August from 12.00 – 3.30 pm at the Hub Studios in London. Contact: ryanleeseager@hotmail.com
      • Royal Ballet dancer Sophie Allnatt is doing a ballet workshop on the 24th of September at the Thorpe Hall School in Essex. Contact Sophie on: sophie.allnatt@hotmail.co.uk
      • Amy Ireland is offering a Beginners Tap class at Pineapple Dance Studios on Fridays at 10.15 am and a Commercial Tap class on Mondays at 8.30 pm.
      • Sophie Ferrero has a workshop series on the 2nd of September at the Hub Studios in London from 11.30 am – 3.30 pm.
      • Dominique Marinho is teaching a Beginners Heels class on Tuesdays at Pineapple Studios from 3.45 – 4.45 pm from the 1st of August.
      • Jaye Richard Noel is starting a Commercial Hip Hop class from 8.00 – 9.30 pm on Wednesdays at Gymbox in Holborn. You can book via: heelsandfeels.com
      • Natalie Twist has a “Sexy R n B” class every Wednesday from 8.00 – 9.00 pm at the Pineapple Dance Studios.
      • Olivia Rose Shouler is doing a beginners choreography class on Wednesday from 7.00 – 8.25 pm at the Base Studios in London.
      • Daniela Fabbricatore is teaching at the CYD Super Convention on the Sunday: 9.00 am Jazz Fusion Advanced, 11.00 am Tap Intermediate & 2.00pm Jazz.
      • Lowri Amelia Jackson has a Commercial workshop on the 13th of August at Pas De Deux Studios. Contact Freedom Dance to book.
      • Anna Maria Barber is doing a Choreography class at Flow Dance in Oval every Tuesday from 7.00 – 8.30 pm.
      • Hannah O’Brian is giving a Heels class on Wednesdays from 7.00 – 8.00 pm in Chelmsford. DM Hannah on her Instagram for details.
      • Gemma Hoddy is giving a class at Base Studios on Thursdays from 5.30 – 6.55 pm.
      • Nicolette Whitley is offering a dance class on Thursdays from 6.15 – 7.15 pm at the Inner Space in Nelwyn for £7. Reserve your space on: nicolettewhitley@outlook.com
      • Anita Mannings has a Contemporary Jazz Class (Int) on Wednesdays from 8.30 – 9.55 pm at the Flow Dance Studios in Oval.
      • Emma Levene is offering a General Ballet Core and Stretch Contemporary class at Forest Gate Community School on Thursdays from 7.00 – 8.00 pm. Email to book: doubletwistdance@gmail.com
      • Michael Naylor is teaching a class on Thursdays at the Base Dance Studios from 2.30 – 4.00 pm. Book via the Base app.
      • Alexandre Novelli is offering a Beginners Commercial for Adults class every Tuesday at her Novelli Studios from 6.00 – 7.00 pm.
      • Nafisah Baba is teaching a weekly Lyrical Contemporary Intermediate / Advanced class at Danceworks in London every Tuesday from 8.00 – 9.30 pm.
      • Lucy Jane Adcock is teaching a Show Tap class at Base Dance Studios on Wednesdays at 11.30 am.
      • Poppy Tremlett is offering an Improvers Choreography class at Base Dance Studios on Tuesdays from 8.30 – 10.00 pm.
      • Rachel Bolsworth is teaching an Absolute Beginners Heels class from 7.00 – 8.00 pm on Tuesdays and an Improvers Beginners Heels class on Monday from 8.30 – 9.30 pm at Pineapple Dance Studios.
      • Hannah Cleeve is giving a Heels Technique class on Wednesdays from 1.00 – 2.30 pm each week at the Base Dance Studios.
      • Kamila Zalewska is teaching at the Base Studios in London on Mondays from 4.00 – 5.25 pm for intermediate/advanced level. Book on the Base app.

        Film & TV

        • We spotted Shakira Robinson in “Heartstopper” on Netflix.
        • We spotted the following dancers performing with Big Wiz at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London: Mari Macleod, Zhane Samuels, Nadia Robinson, Mina Neighbour & Becky Wong. The choreography was by Gina Eigbe and the contract was with Kutes.
        • We spotted Hannah Nazareth performing at the BBC Proms tribute to Lata Mangeshkar at the Royal Albert Hall.
        • We spotted Summer Villiers, Julia Zytko, Ines Galnares & Alice Dickens performing at the Kallis Moet & Chandon Pink and White party in Sweden. The contract was with Mass Movement and the choreography was by Kamila Zalewska.
        • We spotted the following dancers in Disney’s “The Little Mermaid”: Erica Stubbs, Busola Peters, Charlotte Bazeley, Austyn Farrell, Demi Mensah & Chanel Mian. The contract was with Mass Talent.
        • We spotted Cassidy Cannonier in the music video for “The Weekend” by Stormzy & Raye.
        • We spotted Emma Nielsen, Becky Wong, Yves Cueni & Michele Zan performing with Rita Ora on BBC1’s “The One Show”. The choreography was by Becky Hicks and the contract was with Kutes.

        During August 2023, Dincwear Pro Dancewear will be publishing the Pro Dancer News every second week.

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        This post has been created by the Dincwear Dancewear Team.