As previously announced, Hot Feet will play a pre-Broadway engagement at Washington, D.C.'s National Theatre March 18-April 9. Broadway previews are scheduled to begin April 15 with an official opening night set for April 30.
Hot Feet features a book by Heru Ptah and music and lyrics by Maurice White of Earth, Wind and Fire fame. Casting is expected to be announced shortly.
Hot Feet, according to a press statement, is a "Faustian tale about a beautiful young dancer — Kalimba, whose whole life’s dreams and ambition are to be a Broadway dancer. Kalimba is cajoled to dance with a pair of magical and enchanted red shoes; when she puts them on they begin to take control of the talented dancer’s fate."
The creative team for the production comprises James Noone (set design), Paul Tazewell (costume design), Clifton Taylor (lighting design) and Acme Sound Partners (sound design).
Maurice Hines began his career at the age of five as a dancer alongside his brother and, later, his father. His Broadway credits include appearances in Eubie!, Bring Back Birdie and Sophisticated Ladies. Tony Award nominated for Uptown...It's Hot!, Hines went on to direct Satchmo, Harlem Suite and become the first African-American director for Radio City Music Hall. Earth, Wind & Fire racked up a string of hits in the '70s and early '80s. A large ensemble, the group's sound was characterized by gladful, buoyant melodies, falsetto harmonies and the use of horns. After early funk-based hits such as "Shining Star," the act moved in a romantic period of melodic, almost sing-a-long anthems such as "Sing a Song," "September" and "After the Love Has Gone." They largely dropped off the charted after the early '80s hit "Let's Groove." White went on to a solo career.
In a statement Hines said, “The music of Maurice White inspires me. It's an honor for me to be collaborating with him.” White added, "Working with Maurice Hines has been a blast. He makes my music and lyrics come alive in ways I never would have imagined."
TransAmerica presents Hot Feet, produced by Rudy Durand in association with Kalimba Entertainment, Inc.
The National Theatre is located at 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW in Washington, D.C. For tickets, call (800) 447-7400.
