SEATTLE -- Olivier award winning Australian and international director/choreographer David Atkins makes his US debut with Hot Shoe Shuffle, the musical tale of seven Australian brothers who tap their way to Broadway stardom, which opens Mar. 31 at The 5th Avenue Theatre. The show, which has its debut run at Theatre Under The Stars in Houston prior to Seattle, is a substantially reworked version of the show which was a huge hit in Sydney, Australia in 1992. That version was set in the 40's using only existing music of the period, and was essentially a revue. It has been reworked with a book by David W. Hahn, music by Megan Cavalllari and lyricist David Goldsmith. What remains from the original show is a slam-bang tap dance 30-minute marathon finale, set to such standards as "Puttin' On The Ritz", "Mood Indigo" and "Pennsylvania 6-5000."

Steven D. Bowers is musical director, with musical arrangement's by Brad Ellis. Costumes are by Radio City's Edward Siangco, sets by Australia's Eamon D'Arcy, and lighting by Broadway's Kirk Bookman.

Hot Shoe Shuffle previews Mar. 31 and April 1, and runs April 2-19 at The 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 5th Ave, downtown Seattle. Tickets ($19-$45) are available through Ticketmaster (2060292-ARTS, or directly at the theatre box office, Mon.-Fri., 10 AM to 5 PM. -- By David-Edward Hughes
Seattle Correspondent