Fwd: NBC 'SUPERSTARS OF DANCE' PREMIERING SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2009
Mikhail Smirnov
dance troupe on NBC on Sunday, January 4, 2009 (9:00-11:00p.m. ET/
PT). Mikhail is a Russian Judge on the show, "Russian Cossack
dancers" of ensemble Barynya will compete to win the trophy.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: David
Date: Dec 30, 12:04 am
Subject: NBC sets international teams for dance competition
To: rec.arts.tv
NBC ANNOUNCES EIGHT INTERNATIONAL TEAMS TO COMPETE IN ANTICIPATED
DANCE COMPETITION SERIES 'SUPERSTARS OF DANCE' PREMIERING SUNDAY,
JANUARY 4
International Flavor Abounds As Countries Perform A Variety of
Authentic Dance Genres
BURBANK - December 29, 2008 - "Superstars of Dance," premiering
Sunday, January 4 (9:00-11:00p.m. ET/PT), welcomes the world's
greatest dancers from Argentina, Australia, China, India, Ireland,
Russia, South Africa and The United States to compete in an
exhilarating international dance competition. Each country will
showcase dance genres unique to their nation such as the Shaolin Monks
from China, Russian Cossack dancers and Bhangra dancers from India.
Hosted by Michael Flatley ("Lord of the Dance") and co-hosted by Susie
Castillo ("House of Payne"), "Superstars of Dance" is a breathtaking
international dance competition led by executive producers Nigel
Lythgoe and Simon Fuller, two of the masterminds behind "American
Idol" and "So You Think You Can Dance."
The unique series pits the masters of various dance genres from eight
countries against each other. Equal parts sporting event, rock concert
and artistic exhibition, "Superstars of Dance" is poised to become the
greatest spectacle of dance performances ever seen on television.
Eight countries will participate in the competition with each team
comprised of two soloists, one duo and one larger group. Viewers will
get to know the competitors and the coaches through the trials and
tribulations, both behind the scenes and on the stage. The stakes are
high for these artists, as they are not only representing themselves,
but also their dance form and their entire nation.
A list of each of the countries, judges, coaches and the genres each
act will perform is listed below.
ARGENTINA
Sandar serves as coach for team Argentina. Sandar is a Tony-nominated
choreographer and principal dancer in the original cast of "Forever
Tango." The judge for team Argentina is Maria Pogee. Pogee attended
the world-famous school of the Theater Colon. She has directed, staged
and choreographed dance productions throughout the world. Performing
for team Argentina is a sensual cabaret artiste soloist, a
contemporary Tango dancer soloist, an Argentinian Tango duo and a
group performing Gaucho style dance in which the Gaucho's use their
bolas' to produce intricate rhythms.
AUSTRALIA
Jason Gilkison serves as coach for team Australia. Gilkison is an
international ballroom champion who currently oversees choreography
and artistic direction for the FloorPlay version of "Burn the Floor."
The judge for team Australia is Kelley Abbey. Abbey is Australia's
most outstanding dancer, actor, singer and choreographer. She has
choreographed for Savion Glover and 1,000 animated penguins in the
movie "Happy Feet." Performing for team Australia are a tap dance
soloist, a contemporary dancer soloist, a Latin ballroom duo and a
group performing contemporary dance.
CHINA
Matthew Ahmet of Britain serves as Coach for team China. As a troubled
teen Ahmet went to China and found his way by becoming a Shaolin Monk.
The Judge for team China is Master Haiyang Wang. Master Wang is the
natural successor to become the next Abbott of the Shaolin Temple and
a senior Buddhist in China. Performing for team China are a
traditional Chinese ribbon dancer soloist, a double whip soloist, an
acrobatic ballet duo and the Shaolin Monks Kung Fu group "Shaolin:
Wheel of Life"-known as the greatest performers of Kung Fu for over 15
years who have performed in over 40 countries.
IRELAND
Marie Duffy Pask serves as Coach for team Ireland. Pask currently
serves as Dance Director, Associate choreographer, for "Lord of the
Dance" and "Feet of Flames." The judge for team Ireland is Daire
Nolan. Nolan is most famous for his role as "Dark Lord" in Michael
Flatley's "Lord Of The Dance." Performing for team Ireland are Irish
Step Dancers. This team is assembled from different groups currently
performing all over the globe. They will perform for the first time
together on "Superstars of Dance" as team Ireland.
INDIA
Nakul Dev Mahajan serves as coach for team India. Mahajan is the
founder and artistic director of the premiere Bollywood dance company
in the United States. The judge for team India is Shirish Dayal. Dayal
has been producing, directing and choreographing stage shows for the
past 15 years. Performing for team India are a Bharantanyam dancer
soloist, a Kathak soloist, a Bollywood duo and a group performing
Bhangra style of dance.
RUSSIA
Stanislav Issaev serves as coach for team Russia. Issaev was a
principle dancer for many years with the Moscow Ballet Theater and was
named People's artist of Russia, the highest artistic honor anyone can
receive in the country. The judge for team Russia is Mikhail Smirnov.
Smirnov is director and founder of Barynya, a hugely successful
Russian folk dancing company. Performing for team Russia are a ballet
dancer soloist from the world famous Bolshoi Ballet, a contemporary
dancer soloist from the world famous Bolshoi Ballet, a ballroom duo
and a group performing Cossak style of dance.
SOUTH AFRICA
Tandi Bhengu serves as coach for team South Africa. Bhengu has been a
dancer and singer her entire life and has founded a program and dance
troupe called S.A.G.A. (South African Girls Abroad). The judge for
team South Africa is Harold Van Buuren. Van Buuren has won numerous
titles as a Ballroom and Latin American championship dancer,
representing South Africa internationally on numerous occasions.
Performing for team South Africa are a hip/hop dance soloist, an
Afrofusion dance soloist, World Champion jive-inspired dance duo and a
group performing Gumboot, a style of dance that was born in the gold
mines of South Africa.
UNITED STATES
Marguerite Derricks serves as coach for team USA. Derricks is an Emmy-
Award winning choreographer. She choreographed all of the "Austin
Powers" movies and is currently choreographing the new version of
"Fame." The judge for team USA is Tony Selznick who has danced with
greats such as Gene Kelly. He is also the founder and senior agent at
McDonald Selznick and Associates where he represents the biggest names
in American dance. Performing for team USA are a popping dancer
soloist, a tap dancer soloist, World Champion cabaret style ballroom
duo and a group performing hip hop.
"Superstars of Dance" is a Big Red 2 Entertainment production. Nigel
Lythgoe ("American Idol," "So You Think You Can Dance") and Simon
Fuller ("American Idol," "So You Think You Can Dance") serve as
executive producers on the series.
About Big Red 2 Entertainment
Big Red 2 Entertainment is a joint venture production company from
Nigel Lythgoe and Simon Fuller. Lythgoe, who served as executive
producer of "American Idol" for seven seasons, is a co-creator and
executive producer of "So You Think you Can Dance" and "Superstars of
Dance." Fuller, 19 Entertainment Founder/CEO, is the creator and
executive producer of "American Idol," and co-creator and executive
producer of "So You Think You Can Dance" and "Superstars of Dance."
Their work together has garnered 43 Emmy nominations, 5 Emmy Awards
and the prestigious Governor's Award at the Primetime Emmys. Big Red 2
Entertainment is inspired by the two producers' favorite soccer teams,
which both use red as their team color.