Casting for Hot Shoe Shuffle Anniversary Tour Announced.

Casting has been announced by David Atkins Enterprises for the 2013 national Anniversary tour of tap dance musical comedy Hot Shoe Shuffle, one of the most successful Australian Musicals of all time.

Before Tap Dogs and The Boy from Oz, Hot Shoe Shuffle paved the way as the first Australian musical to succeed both at home and internationally and is one of the longest running multi-award winning musicals ever to be produced in Australia. Originally conceived, directed and produced by David Atkins OAM in 1992 it was choreographed by both Atkins and Dein Perry.

Returning to the stage for the first time in 15 years, David Atkins will play Dexter, a role originally played by Jack Webster.  Jersey Boys star Bobby Fox will play Spring, the eldest of the tap brothers, a role originally created by David Atkins and Hairspray’s Jaz Flowers will play April the long lost sister.

Featuring the big band hits of the 1940s, Hot Shoe Shuffle has won numerous awards and been produced in six different countries. In London the production won the prestigious Laurence Olivier Award for Choreography. It has also won an ARIA Award for its soundtrack album, 4 Mo Awards, 2 Green Room Awards, and an Advance Australia Award for services to the Arts. After its award-winning season on London’s West End, Hot Shoe Shuffle toured the UK’s regional touring circuit for two years.

“It’s been almost twenty years since Hot Shoe Shuffle first wowed audiences around the world,” said David Atkins. “If you’ve seen the show you’ll need no convincing to see it again, It’s song and dance at its very best and most exciting. With hits of the Big Band Era and the hottest tapping you’ll ever see with a brilliant Australian cast.”

Jaz Flowers’big break was as Tracey Turnblad in the multi award winning production of Hairspray for which she won Sydney Theatre Awards and received a Helpmann Award Nomination for Best Female Actor in a Musical. Other credits include Fame – the Musical andShane Warne the Musical.  Most recently Jaz appeared as one of the contestants in the hit television show The Voice.

"I find myself randomly smiling all the time. A dream come true is an understatement. Being a leading lady is one thing but being a leading lady of Hot Shoe Shuffle is in a whole other league. It was the first show i ever saw, it's my favourite musical, and to be working with David who was in the original cast is a joke! Not coping, I'm ecstatic!" said Jaz Flowers.

Hailing from Longford, Ireland, Bobby Fox moved to Australia in 2002 and began his professional musical theatre career with feature roles in Mamma Mia, Leader of the Pack, Dusty - The Original Pop Diva, We Will Rock You, Spamalot andThe Production Company’sSweet Charity and Damn Yankies. Bobby then played the role of Frankie Valli in the smash hit musical The Jersey Boys.  More recently Bobby has been seen in Nine Network’s new hit House Husbands.

"I am ecstatic and honoured to be given the opportunity to play the role of "Spring" in Hot Shoe Shuffle,” said Bobby Fox.  This show combines everything I've learnt throughout my training and performing career.  It will be such a full circle moment for me. I simply cannot wait to hit the rehearsal room floor."

Hot Shoe Shuffle tells the tale of the Seven Tap Brothers, Spring, Slap, Buck, Wing, Tip, Tap and Slide who learn of the death of their long-absent father, who has apparently left them a fortune. The only catch is that to receive their inheritance, they must rehearse and perform his legendary ‘Act’ – the Hot Shoe Shuffle!! In addition, they must also include their long-lost sister, April, into The Act. The only problem is – she has two left feet! 

Touring to Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth in 2013.

Playing Lyric Theatre, QPAC from May 5, 2013.

Earlier coverage.

www.hotshoeshuffle.com

November 20, 2012.

Video from the West End production