At the time of the taping, Alexander – who serves as artistic director of Los Angeles' Reprise Theatre Company – was readying Adler and Ross's Damn Yankees for production. On the Bravo program, Alexander is joined by Reprise! choreographer Lee Martino, who will lead the dancers through choreography for Damn Yankees' "Shoeless Joe." Alexander and Martino serve as guest judges for the May 1 episode that is hosted by Elizabeth Berkley (Sly Fox, "Showgirls"). Tony Award-winning director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell serves as the mentor for the participating dancers.

Nine dancers, with varying ranges of dance training and experience, remain in the competition. Two from the Broadway community, Cody Green (Movin' Out, Grease, Mamma Mia!) and Michelle Aguilar Camaya (The Lion King, Swing! "Enchanted"), are among the current finalists.

The recurring judges for the program are Vincent Paterson, who has choreographed Broadway's Kiss of the Spider Woman, Madonna's "Blond Ambition" tour and Michael Jackson's "Bad" tour; and Nancy O'Meara, currently enjoying success with 'tween sensations "Hannah Montana" and the High School Musical tours.

"Step It Up & Dance" brings together dancers from around the country, challenging them to master dance styles from ballet and ballroom, to Broadway and burlesque. Press notes state, "Whether it's a music video one week or a Vegas spectacular the next, Bravo's new dance series will feature challenges in which the dancers audition for a range of parts, designed to showcase their versatility and moves. As the competition gets fierce and contestants are eliminated, only one person will get the final 'call back' and the chance to perform, with the ultimate dancer winning a cash prize."

"Step It Up & Dance" airs Thursday nights at 10 PM ET. For further information visit www.bravotv.com.