STRICTLY TAP DANCE FEVER

Get ready to be dazzled! For the first time in South Africa and direct from their smash UK Tour, the adrenalin-driven STRICTLY TAP DANCE FEVER took to the stage exclusively at The Mandela at JoBurg Theatre from last week to March 6th 2011. The audience loved the production and danced in the aisles as the final curtain came down.

Brought to Johannesburg by Spirit Productions - the people that brought us two of Joburg Theatre’s highest-grossing and most popular shows of the past decade: SPIRIT OF THE DANCE and LE GRAND CIRQUE, - the internationally renowned cast in this tap dance sensation takes the audience on a whistle stop roller-coaster ride of the greatest tap dance moments in show business history.

South African ‘super-celebrity’ and African Tap and Modern Dance Champion for seven straight years, the very glamorous AMOR VITTONE also makes a nightly guest appearance – and, I must say, that however much I have loathed her performances and lack of class in the past, in this show she is brilliant! Good for you Amor and watch her dust Joost! She couldn’t be yours, she’s is way too big for you now!

Starting in the era when Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers were the stars of the day, the show tap dances its way through history, thrilling and exciting audiences with the vibrant tap dance styles that entertained generations through the ages! Featuring fantastic musical classics mashed with modern day beat, these taps build with energy and spectacle. Acapella tap sounds can be heard as the show opens and - as the taps build - so does the energy and spectacle. Soon you discover there is so much more than tap to this show: swing, jive and sensational singers add to the cocktail of pure showbiz heaven.

Joining the cast of the show at the JoBurg Theatre is crowd favourite, SIMON SCHOFIED. This singer thrilled audiences as part of The Twelve Tenors in February 2010 and proved so popular with those who saw him perform, that he was invited to return to South Africa in May to record the main love theme for the popular local teen movie, BAKGAT! 2 which was released to great success in September.

Says Simon "I fell in love with South Africa and its people during my first visit to your wonderful country a year ago, and even then I planned to return as often as my schedule allowed. I'm thrilled to be able to join the cast of Strictly Tap Dance Fever so that I can once again experience the joy of performing for JoBurg Theatre audiences. It is great to re-connect with this enthusiastic audience again every night."

Joining Simon on stage to divide the vocals is the talented JON HAWKINS and impressive LARA DENNING.

To date, Amor Vittone, has released six albums; Wild Cherry Kisses (1998), Dance in Colours (2000), Young Forever (2002), amor (2005), Voluit (2006) and Glo Altyd Aan More (2009). The Voluit Afrikaans album enjoyed Gold Status in South Africa.

In 2007, Amor was nominated for a South African Music Award (SAMA) in the category ‘Best Afrikaans Pop Album’. She was nominated for People Magazine’s Crystal Award in the category ‘Hottest SA Artist’ in 2007, a Tempo Music Award in the category ‘Favourite SA Female Artist’, and Voluit Lewe was nominated as ‘Favourite Song of the Year’. In the Vonk Musiektoekennings in 2007, Amor was nominated as ‘Best Female Artist.’

“I am very honoured and excited to be part of this show,” says Amor. “I started off my career in theatre, so returning to my first passion, which is tap dancing, is wonderful. I’m looking forward to be working with an international choreographer and director and appreciate the opportunity I have been given to get back on the stage where I belong.”

Amor is also currently presenting her own radio show on Jacaranda 94.2fm, between 10am and 2pm on Sundays.

Performances of STRICTLY TAP DANCE FEVER must close on Sunday March 6th 2011.

The show runs Tuesdays - Fridays at 20h00, Saturdays at 15h00 and 20h00 and Sundays at 16h00. Tickets are from R170 and are available at Computicket – call (011) 340 8000 / 083 915 8000 or visit www.computicket.com.

Special discounted ticket prices are available for groups of ten or more – call Joburg Theatre on (011) 877 6854.

To whet your appetite, view a taste of what to expect : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7r92H4edQDs

STRICTLY TAP DANCE FEVER is presented in South Africa in association with M-Net and Jacaranda 94.2fm.