Dancing With The Stars Pro TONY DOVOLANI Makes Chippendales Debut

From Dancing with the Stars to guest hosting the sexiest male revue on the strip - the world famous Chippendales welcomed Dancing with the Stars professional dancer & Mirror Ball Champion, Tony Dovolani to the acclaimed Las Vegas production on Friday, April 20, 2018 for a limited six-week engagement through May 27, 2018, at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino.

Dovolani is not only hosting the show, but has also choreographed a jaw-dropping, Latin-infused number that had the cast and audience smiling from ear to ear. During the number on opening night, Dovolani brought up fellow Vegas and Broadway star, Ruby Lewis, formerly of BAZ and the star of the upcoming Marilyn Monroe musical, MARILYN, at the Paris Hotel & Casino, to join him and the Chippendales for a sexy salsa number. Lewis dove right in - heels first! If you've seen Dovolani over his 21 seasons on Dancing With the Stars, then you know why his infectious smile, sexy moves, and charismatic flair lit up the Chippendales stage.

"For my number I wanted everyone to feel like they are dancing in their seats," says Dovolani. "In fact it's such an interactive show it's almost like watching Dancing with the Stars but you actually get to participate here."

Despite a sold-out house providing deafening applause for the star, a particular highlight for Dovolani on his first night was a moment that moved the celebrity and philanthropist to tears. Tony, the father or an autistic son, is donating a portion of his salary to The Tony Dovolani Foundation: Golf for Special Needs Children. However, it was a moment on the carpet when Chippendales dance captain Ryan Kelsey and Chippendales Managing Partner Kevin Denberg surprised Dovolani with a check for $5000 in support of Dovolani's Foundation, furthering the brand's commitment to Dovolani's mission.

"Vegas is a better place because of the Chippendales and all of the charitable work they do in the community," says Dovolani. "Today they surprised me with an incredible check for $5000 for my Foundation and they have been so fantastic to me already but the fact that they are supporting my mission and my cause - this brand is amazing in so many ways and for me they are truly my family now."

The inaugural weekend included not only the typical Chippendales audience of bachelorettes, birthday girls and divorcees but dozens of Dovolani's fans from the hit ABC show Dancing with the Stars. The opening reception was held at the Flirt Lounge inside the Chippendales Theatre Complex at the Rio and featured Dovolani and the cast of Chippendales mingling and taking photographs with partygoers who were enjoying small bites provided by Guy Fieri's El Burro Borracho, as well as cocktails. During the party Dovalani sported a stunning blue suit provided by STITCHED.

Other celebrities who have donned the iconic cuffs and collar costume include international super-model Tyson Beckford, Dancing with the Stars and America's Next Top Model champion, Nyle DiMarco, everyone's favorite childhood crush, Ian Ziering, and actor/singer Joey Lawrence.

About Tony Dovolani:

Tony Dovolani joined "Dancing with the Stars" in the second season and quickly became a fan favorite with his stellar choreography, elegance and bright smile. Tony and his dance partner Melissa Rycroft were season 15 "Dancing with the Stars: All-Stars" Mirror Ball Trophy champions. Tony is busy traveling across the US spending time with his DWTS fans, teaching and coaching at his 11 Dance with Me USA studios (co-owned with Maksim and Val Chmerkovskiy), judging professional competitions and hosting a variety of corporate and private events. Tony is honored to serve on the PGA Player and Coaching Development Committee and looks forward to contributing to the future of professional golf. He enjoys hitting the links playing in Pro-AM and charity tournaments. Tony established the Tony Dovolani Foundation: Golf for Special Needs Children, which combines his passion for golf with helping others. Tony will be teaching the Salsa, Rumba, Tango and Cha Cha along with hosting special gatherings including his birthday celebration on July 17th.

Tony is a frequent guest host for "EXTRA" and the Golf Channel's "The Morning Drive." He has been a frequent guest on "Good Morning America" sharing his expertise as he recaps and comments on "Dancing with the Stars" performances. He guest starred on TV Land's "The Exes" and did a cameo appearance on CBS TV's "Kevin Can Wait." He played Latin bad boy competitor, 'Slick Willy,' in the hit film "Shall We Dance." He choreographed the 2012 Miss Nevada pageant and was one of the 2011 Miss America judges. He choreographed and performed Paso Doble for Pixar's "Toy Story 3". The routine, danced to the Gypsy King's Spanish take on "You've Got a Friend in Me (Para Buzz Español)," provided the inspiration behind a dance sequence featuring Buzz Lightyear and cowgirl Jessie. Born in Prishtina, Kosova, Tony began folk dancing at age three. He was 15 when he and his family moved to the United States. He attended Fred Astaire Dance Academy and knew he had found his passion. Tony has been a strong and successful competitor in the professional ballroom dancing world holding several world and USA championship titles. Twitter: @tonydovolani

About Chippendales:

Named "the most-wanted men in Vegas!" by ET's, The Insider, Chippendales captures the perfect balance of sex appeal and tasteful teasing, eliciting waves of screams from their excited audience. This high energy, fully choreographed, interactive show features some of the most physically elite men in the world who playfully dance and sing their way into the hearts of birthday girls, bachelorettes and girlfriends who just want to have fun. In November 2017, for the sixth consecutive year, Chippendales was named the "Best Male Revue" for the Las Vegas Review Journal's prestigious "Best of Las Vegas Awards." Annually, the Men of Chippendales will be seen by almost two million people worldwide. The cast, a very exclusive fraternity of only 20 members, is split across two productions - one based in Las Vegas at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino and the other, currently selling out venues around on their world tour. As icons of American Pop Culture, The Chippendales recently celebrated their 35th Anniversary as a brand and in 2017 celebrated 15 years at Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino. They've been featured on numerous national television shows, including the Emmy Award-winning CBS series, The Amazing Race, The Ellen Degeneres Show (where TV legend Betty White received a special surprise performance), and The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (giving Lisa Vanderpump a night she will never forget). Previous celebrity guest hosts featured in the Las Vegas production include international supermodel Tyson Beckford, Dancing with the Stars and America's Next Top Model winner Nyle DiMarco, Beverly Hills 90210 and Sharknado star Ian Ziering, and Joey Lawrence, among others. Chippendales, one of the world's most recognized brand names, is the premier provider of entertainment for women. The Company produces Broadway-style shows worldwide and licenses its intellectual property for select consumer products ranging from apparel and accessories to slot machines and video games. The company also operates Chippendales.com, an on-line lifestyle and entertainment destination for women. Chippendales was established in 1979 and has headquarters in New York, with offices in Las Vegas and London. For additional information visit www.Chippendales.com; find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @Chippendales #Chippendales.

Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino

Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, home of the World Series of Poker, offers guests a unique all-suite hotel experience. Complete with 2,522 all-suite hotel rooms - including the Samba suites and the luxurious Palazzo Villas with a private entrance - the property overlooks the Las Vegas Strip and sits one block west of the famed boulevard. A variety of entertainment options at the resort include headliners Penn & Teller, the world-famous Chippendales and the internationally-acclaimed water production, WOW. Additionally, Rio Las Vegas is home to family-friendly attractions such as the VooDoo Zip Line, an adrenaline-rushing thrill ride that offers a 360-degree panorama of the famous Strip from 490 feet above the ground, as well as KISS by Monster Mini Golf. The off-Strip resort features a diverse array of dining and nightlife experiences including the new Guy Fieri's El Burro Borracho, VooDoo Steak, Wine Cellar & Tasting Room, Hash House A Go Go, KJ Dim Sum & Seafood, iBar, VooDoo Beach and VooDoo Rooftop Nightclub, which offers panoramic views of The Strip. For more information, please visit riolasvegas.com or the Caesars Entertainment Las Vegas media room. Find Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino on Facebook and follow on Twitter and Instagram.

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