Leave it to “Burn The Floor,” a show that integrates Latin beats and ten different styles of dance – including Waltz, Tango, Samba, and Paso Doble – to bring the spark back to Broadway! 

Since its opening, “Burn the Floor” has not only outsold “Avenue Q” and “Chicago,” but also broken the house record at the Longacre Theater. The show infuses Broadway with a much needed bit of sensuality and transcends the barrier of the spoken word.  

With racy dance numbers (especially one that brings fantasies of being tossed around by a mob of lust ridden women to life); heart thumping, toe tapping explosions of music; and vocalists that move the audience night after night; “Burn the Floor” is one of the most exciting shows to reach Broadway in years.

The show begins with a slow cha cha and quickly erupts into an inferno of sequined and fringed costumes; one number seems to transform the dancers into actual flames. The pace changes frequently, keeping the audience engaged and enchanted. Highlights include dance numbers to popular songs like ‘Nights in White Satin,’ ‘Si Tu Supieras’ and ‘Turn The Beat Around.’ By the end of the show, the energy radiating from the performers is enough to lift spectators from their seats, and it literally does, eliciting nightly standing ovations.

Of course, the show’s success also has something to do with the current worldwide fascination with ballroom dancing. Shows like “Dancing With The Stars” and “So You Think You can Dance” have aroused great interest in traditional dance forms.  Fittingly, “Burn The Floor” counts “DWTS” judge Carrie Ann Inaba as one of its producers and some of the popular television dancers have been, and will continue to be, featured in the show. 

Fortunately for a production comprised primarily of Latin rhythms, the show’s two vocalists are of Latin heritage.

Ricky Rojas was born in Chile, but his theater career took off in London, where he participated in numerous productions including “Fame,” and “Grease.”

Rebecca Tapia is of Ecuadorean descent and born in Australia where she specialized in musical theater. She was also a top twenty finalist in “Australian Idol,” an achievement that opened many doors. Having seen the charisma and energy of these two young performers, as well as their sense of pride for their Latin roots and culture; it’s no surprise that they were able to achieve such international success. 

H: How did you become involved with “Burn the Floor”?
Rebecca: I auditioned for the show in Sydney a year ago. At the time I was also auditioning for other stuff and got the role of Gabriella in the live production of “High School Musical” in Australia. That was supposed to go for a year but closed early, unfortunately but fortunately, because about four weeks later the producer Harley Medcalf from “Burn the Floor” asked me to do its Broadway production. Two weeks later we started rehearsals.  Ricky: I was in London doing a show called “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” which closed earlier than expected as well. Shortly after, I got an email from the old singer from “Burn the Floor” saying he couldn’t do the Broadway leg.  I went to L.A. to audition, and by the time I flew back to London I found out I got the gig.

H: How does it feel to be on Broadway now?
Rebecca: It’s beyond a dream! It’s more like a fantasy…it’s very hard for us to work in America since you need a green card and all that, but since this is a touring company we’re fortunate that we can go from city  to city.
Ricky: We’re very lucky, very proud

H: Tell us about your heritage?

Ricky: I was born in Chile, then we moved to Australia when I was 5. I grew up in Australia and while I was there, I played Ritchie Valens in a show called “The Buddy Holly Story.” The producer flew me to London to do the show there for a year, and that’s where I met my wife. And there I stayed.

Rebecca: I was born in Australia. When I was 9 years old, my dad took us to Ecuador, where I lived and went to school for 2 years before returning to Australia.

H: You’re also both trained dancers, right?
Rebecca: I trained in traditional tap, jazz, and ballet. I’ve trained for 15 years. 
Ricky: I started doing Latin cabaret shows when I was about 14, so I’ve done dancing as well.

H: What are the highlights for both of you in the show?
Rebecca: All the songs are so different, since they’re from different eras, but I really love doing ‘Proud Mary’ because it’s one that really gets the crowd going. I also love doing ‘Carino.’
Ricky: ‘Burn for You’ is one of my favorites.

H: How is the show different night after night?
Rebecca: Every audience is different…We can’t listen to the audience. Sometimes we’ll have a more low key audience, and sometimes we’ll have a louder audience. And sometimes things actually do go wrong. Every night is different.
Ricky: The good thing about this company is that we all feel the energy from each other. Sometimes I’ll be singing, and I’ll be the one projecting the energy. Other times it may be one of the dancers.
Rebecca: We have to remember to be focused and keep our energy because when someone is tired and they look to you, your energy will carry to them.
Ricky: And sometimes you can use the audience, for instance, if it’s a Saturday night and it’s a really enthusiastic crowd.

H:  What advice would you give someone that aspires to be on Broadway? 
Rebecca: Do as much as you can, train in all areas, especially your weakest. If you’re a fantastic singer work on your dance moves. Just do as much as you can.
Ricky: That’s the thing about Australians, they tend to be quite well rounded because there isn’t that much work there (in Australia). And you have to be able to deal with rejection.
Rebecca: I auditioned for “The Lion King” so many times, and I was always too short. When it came down to it, it was just a matter of me not being right for the part, and it was something I had to accept.

H: Why would you tell someone to come see “Burn The Floor”?
Rebecca: It covers all genres of music, it’s really for everyone.
Ricky: And there’s no language barrier. It’s very visual, and although it spans different genres and eras of music, it does have a Latin flavor.
Rebecca: All of the dances are Latin, except the one ballroom couple…but for the majority of the show it’s Latin music, our music!   

BURN THE FLOOR!
Longacre Theatre
220 West 48th Street (Between Broadway and 8th Avenue)
New York NY 10036 GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!!!www.burnthefloor.com