Capezio Announces BAD BOYS OF DANCE & More for 125th Anniversary Show, 4/2

Capezio will celebrate 125 years of excellence with a one-night-only special show on Monday, April 23, 2012 at 7:00 pm at New York City Center, 131 West 55 Street.

The show highlights some of the magical history of Capezio. The show will include Bad Boys of Dance, Dance Sport Ballroom, Cynthia Gregory, Industrial Rhythm, Mark Stuart Dance Theater, MOMIX, Mr. Wiggles, Ann Reinking, Rock Steady Crew, and World Cup All Stars Cheerleading with more to be announced.

Some of the proceeds from the event will benefit: BROADWAY CARES/EQUITY FIGHTS AIDS, AMERICAN TAP DANCE FOUNDATION and also the NATIONAL DANCE INSTITUTE. Capezio 125th Anniversary Award bennefiting Dizzy Feet Foundation will be accepted by Nigel Lythgoe. The 61st annual Capezio Dance Award will be given to Tommy Tune.

The show is conceived and directed by Ann Marie DeAngelo, who is an international producer, director and choreographer. She was a star of the Joffrey Ballet and featured in Time magazine as one of America?s leading ballerinas, and performed internationally as a guest artist. She has been a director in ballet since the 1980s, with her own troupe called Ballet D?Angelo - to founder of Ballet de Monterrey in Mexico, and later the Joffrey Ballet in Chicago. She has choreographed over 50 ballets, including a new musical premiering at the Shanghai Expo 2101, and was a pioneer in bringing hip hop out of the ghetto and onto the stage. She specializes in synthesis, be it in her own work or in her multi-genre dance shows she currently produces for Career Transition For Dancers (raising $1million per event).

The Icon of Dance,? Salvatore Capezio was born in Italy, and at seventeen opened his shop near the old Metropolitan Opera House in NYC. The sign above his door read: “The Theatrical & Historical Shoemaker.” ?His business began by repairing theatrical shoes for the Met. The day he created an emergency pair of shoes for Jean De Reszke, he quickly made the transition from cobbler to shoemaker. He discovered dance shoes, pointe shoes in particular, to be a challenge. His customers discovered that few were as determined as Capezio to take that on.? Soon the shop became a place for dancers to stop by to discuss their needs and pick up his shoes. Angelina Passone, a La Scala graduate, lingered over the discussion and later became his wife. ?As his popularity grew, dancers from around the world made it a point to visit. Anna Pavlova purchased Capezio pointe shoes for herself and her entire company during her first U.S. tour. Her praise ensured Salvatore’s success.?Eventually, he entrusted his shoemaking techniques to his family. They joined him in the business and the exceptional reputation continued to spread. By the 1930s his products were dancing across Broadway in the Ziegfeld Follies and in dozens of other shows. In 1941, Claire McCardell showed the Capezio long-sole ballet shoe with her fashion collection. ?The enthusiastic response provoked Lord & Taylor, Neiman Marcus and other major stores to purchase the footwear. In 1949 Capezio made the cover of Vogue. In 1952, Capezio received the Coty Award, fashion’s highest accolade. The Capezio Dance Award was established in 1952 to honor those who make a long-standing, significant contribution to dance. The Capezio Foundation was established in 1953 to promote and recognize ongoing achievements in dance.? Plenty of the world’s greatest performers have recognized Capezio® as the only way to dance.?Now third and fourth generation family members continue the legacy of craft, innovation and commitment. ?With prevalent industry use of computerization and robotics, Capezio® Special Make-up Department still hand crafts footwear for an eclectic mix of performers. Scores of casts from Broadway, Radio City Music Hall to Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Circus and Disney; as well as television and films such as “So You Think You Can Dance,” to the “BLACK SWAN” use Capezio products. The dedication of Capezio to providing dancers with technologically advanced, quality tools for their art continues to inspire innovations. ?Capezio proudly introduced revolutionary footwear to the industry with the Dansneaker, footUndeez, tap shoes with Tele Tone taps and the Rayow system, the Pedini styles, the acclaimed FizzionTM and several favorites made with PowerPointe Construction.