'Burn the Floor' set for Broadway premiere

NEW YORK, July 25 (UPI) -- The Broadway dance show "Burn the Floor" is set to begin a 12-week engagement in New York, Playbill reported.

Playbill said the stage production's limited run at the Longacre Theatre will begin Saturday with its first preview before several dance and music celebrities take to the stage in the show's Aug. 2 opening night.

Among those in the production are Henry Byalikov of "Superstars of Dance," International IDSF Open Champion Kevin Clifton, vocalist Ricky Rojas, musician David Mann and Sharna Burgess of "So You Think You Can Dance."

"Dancing with the Stars" celebrities Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Karina Smirnoff will also take a break from their ABC series to join the production for first previews until Aug. 16.

Playbill said "Burn" producer Harley Medcalf conceived the stage production five years ago while attending a birthday party for singer Elton John.

"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," he said of his creation.