The Groovaloos Hit The Joyce Theatre 9/15-9/27

Hip-hop dance phenomenon The Groovaloos, best known for their breakout winning performance on NBC’s “Superstars of Dance” and appearances on FOX’s “So You Think You Can Dance,” will open The Joyce Theater season in the groundbreaking original production Groovaloo.  Limited engagement: Tuesday, September 15 through Sunday, September 27.

Based on the award-winning troupe’s true-to-life experiences as told by the dancers who lived them, Groovaloo is driven by jaw-dropping displays of physicality, a vibrant musical score and powerful spoken word poetry.  The show’s intertwined stories chronicle the struggles, hopes and triumphs of the 14-member cast.  Groovaloo celebrates passion and purpose while revealing the heart, soul and artistry of hip-hop and freestyle dance.

In its most recent incarnation, Groovaloo was cheered by the Los Angeles Times as “Inspirational” and by Variety as “Relentlessly creative and dynamic.”  Over the past several years, the LA-based troupe The Groovaloos, spearheaded by Bradley Rapier, has continued to develop and refine the production.  Groovaloo co-creator Rapier explains, “We strive to showcase the most innovative dance moves while connecting with the audience on an emotional level through the narrative inherent in this work.  We’re more than 14 performers on stage just having a good time.  We share personal stories about what brought us to this place.  In some cases, dance literally saved people’s lives -- each performer has a story to share, and that’s where the real connection is made with the audience.”

Members of The Groovaloos have been featured prominently in a multitude of mass entertainment arenas.  Music superstars Madonna, Justin Timberlake, Miley Cyrus, Will Smith and Gwen Stefani have been inspired by the unique talent of these performers and featured their performances in recent concerts and projects.  Additionally, Groovaloos dancers have had substantial exposure in feature films (Step Up, Charlie’s Angels, Idlewild) and in national advertising campaigns (iPod, GAP, Skechers, McDonald’s).

Groovaloo is created by Bradley Rapier and veteran Broadway performer Danny Cistone, and directed by Cistone. This production features Lighting Design by Charlie Morrison and Sound Design by Lucas Corrubia.  Music supervisors are Steven Stanton and Bradley Rapier.

Immediately prior to the New York run, Groovaloo appears at Los Angeles’ El Portal Theatre (August 21-30).  The show embarks on a National Tour beginning January 10, 2010, with performances at prestigious venues across the U.S. including Philadelphia’s Kimmel Center.

Groovaloo is presented by Big League Productions.  Big League Productions, Inc. is in its 20th season of producing, general managing and booking Broadway musicals and special attractions for touring throughout North America and the world.  Big League has just completed touring the 30th Anniversary National Tour of the Tony Award winning musical Ain’t Misbehavin’ directed by Richard Maltby, Jr. and starring American Idol alums Ruben Studdard and Frenchie Davis.  Currently touring is the first national tour of a new production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.  Recent productions included a brand new production of Elton John and Tim Rice’s AIDA that toured in North America and China and a new touring production of the world famous Miss Saigon, developed in collaboration with Cameron Mackintosh.  For more information, visit www.bigleague.org.

The mission of The Joyce is to advance the art of dance and choreography in all its richness and variety and to encourage, sustain, and educate a diverse audience.  The Joyce serves a broad-based national and international dance community, and oversees two of New York City’s leading dance venues: The Joyce Theater, an afford­able, 472-seat, state-of-the-art theater in Chelsea; and Joyce SoHo, a dance center that offers three fully equipped studios at highly subsidized rates for rehearsals and performances to independent choreographers and nonprofit dance companies. 

Groovaloo plays from September 15-27 as follows: Tuesday and Wednesday at 7:30 PM, Thursday and Friday at 8:00 PM, Saturday at 2:00 & 8:00 PM and Sunday at 2:00 & 7:30 PM.

The Joyce Theater is located at 175 Eighth Avenue (at 19th Street).  Tickets are $10.00 - $59.00; prices are subject to change. Tickets are available by phone at JoyceCharge: (212) 242-0800 or online at www.Joyce.org. 

For more information please visit www.Groovaloo.com.

Become a fan of Groovaloo on Facebook and follow Groovaloo on Twitter here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/GroovalooS/44521674639?ref=ts http://twitter.com/Groovaloos.

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