Garnis and Kovalev Burn the Floor on Broadway Starting Aug. 18

By Andrew Gans
18 Aug 2009

Anya Garnis and Pasha Kovalev
Anya Garnis and Pasha Kovalev

Anya Garnis and Pasha Kovalev, two dancers from FOX-TV's "So You Think You Can Dance," join the limited engagement of the dance extravaganza Burn the Floor Aug. 18 at the Longacre Theatre.

Garnis and Kovalev succeed special guests Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Karina Smirnoff — of "Dancing with the Stars" fame — who played their final performance Aug. 16.

Both Garnis and Kovalev are frequent riders on SYTYCD's "Hot Tamale Train" — one of the TV show's highest honors.

Burn the Floor features direction and choreography by Jason Gilkison and is produced on Broadway by Harley Medcalf, Joe Watson, Richard Levi, Richard Frankel, Tom Viertel, Steven Baruch, Marc Routh, Raise the Roof One, Toppall/Stevens/Mills, Benigno/Klein, Caldwell/Allen, Carrpailet/Danzansky, Bud Martin, The Production Studio, Schaffert/Schnuck, and Carrie Ann Inaba by special arrangement with Dance Partner Inc.

"From Harlem's hot nights at The Savoy, where dances such as the Lindy, Foxtrot and Charleston were born, to the Latin Quarter where the Cha-Cha, Rumba and Salsa steamed up the stage, Burn the Floor takes audiences on a journey through the passionate drama of dance," according to press notes. "The elegance of the Viennese Waltz, the exuberance of Jive, the intensity of the Paso Doble — audiences will experience them all, as well as the Tango, Samba, Mambo, Quickstep, and Swing. It's Ballroom dance with a sexy 21st century edge."

Conceived five years ago at a 50th birthday party for composer Elton John, Burn the Floor was created by producer Harley Medcalf and features 32 champion ballroom dancers. About the genesis of his show, Medcalf previously said, "I wanted to create a showcase that is a fusion of the wonderful traditions of ballroom dancing, a combination of the sensuality, discipline and commitment of the dancers, with the technology, creativity and energy of a rock and roll production."

The Longacre Theatre is located at 220 West 48th Street between Broadway and Eighth Avenue.

Tickets are available by visiting www.telecharge.com or by calling (212) 239-6200. For more information go to www.burnthefloor.com.