Cody Green of 'Grease' Wins 'Step It Up & Dance'

GREASE's dance sensation Cody Green was announced the winner in last night's finale episode of BRAVO's "Step It Up & Dance," winning the $100,000 grand prize.  The 27-year-old dancer from Surrey, Canada beat out 11 other contestants as they competed in weekly dance challenges from some of the top performers and choreographers in the industry including: Tina Landon, Jordi Caballero, Lee Martino and Jason Alexander. For the finale challenge, Green performed in the final group dance with the remaining contestants Michelle Camaya, Miguel Zarate and Nick Drago as well as an originally choreographed solo in front of series judges Vincent Paterson (long time Michael Jackson and Madonna choreographer), Nancy O'Meara (choreographer for Hannah Montana and High School Musical) and guest judge, Hip-Hop Super Star, Akon.

"When they said my name, my legs just buckled under me.  After the last two dance challenges I felt I had fallen out of favor with the judges and wasn't expecting to win," said Green." "I definitely danced my heart out, I left it all out on the dance floor."

Cody Green is no stranger to the dance world having starred in the Billy Joel musical Movin' Out playing "Eddie" in London's West End and later on Broadway.  Cody can currently be seen singing and dancing in the cast of Grease on Broadway and as an understudy for the role of "Kenickie." Green plays "Nick Hoffman" in the film "Center Stage 2" and is a featured dancer in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (starring Brad Pitt), both slated for release later this year.

Often compared in looks and demeanor to the likes of Patrick Swayze, Cody Green's childhood parallels that of Swayze in that both their mothers are their first dance teachers. Cody trained with his mother until he was invited to study at The Juilliard School on a full dance scholarship in New York.

"Step It Up & Dance" is produced by Magical Elves' Jane Lipsitz and Dan Cutforth ("Project Runway," and "Top Chef") and Gunnar Wetterberg, who is also the creator of the series for Magical Elves. The series is hosted by Elizabeth Berkley and Tony Award- winning choreographer, Jerry Mitchell, serves as the contestants' mentor.

Tickets for the new Broadway production of GREASE at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre (246 W 47th Street) are available through
TicketMaster at (212) 307-4100 or www.ticketmaster.com or by visiting the Brooks Atkinson box office. Group Sales are available by calling Nederlander Group Sales at 212-840-3890.  For more information on the show and ticket availability, please visit the website,
www.greaseonbroadway.com.

Cody Green is an alumnus of New York's prestigious The Juilliard School, Cody is currently featured in the cast of GREASE on Broadway. He also played Eddie in the Billy Joel musical Movin' Out, both in London's West End and on Broadway, and toured with Mamma Mia! Cody can soon be seen as "Nick Hoffman" in the feature film Center Stage 2, and as a featured dancer in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button starring Brad Pitt, both to be released this year. Other credits include: dancing in acclaimed director Julie Taymor's film Across the Universe and singing in Barbra Streisand's choir for the Democratic National Convention. Cody is an avid golfer and hockey enthusiast.