OT - Mad About Ballroom

[Guest guest]

Saw the trailer over CHristmas break - looks great!

- Becky

" Take the Lead "

_http://et.tv./movies/11777/_ (http://et.tv./movies/11777/)

Banderas Joins America's Dance Craze

June 30, 2005

So you think you can dance? Not only is that the title of an upcoming FOX

reality series from " American Idol " exec producer <CELEB>NIGEL , but the dance

craze that is sweeping the nation (think: the success of " Dancing with the

Stars " ) will now be reflected in a new motion picture starring a very suave and

sophisticated _ANTONIO BANDERAS_

(http://movies./shop?d=hc & id=1800018806 & cf=gen) .

Based on the true story of <CELEB>PIERRE (Banderas), 'Take the Lead,' also

starring _ALFRE WOODARD_

(http://movies./shop?d=hc & id=1800016706 & cf=gen) , is loosely based on

the real-life story of the ballroom dance champion

who fought to get a dance program included in the New York City school

system.

Pierre's program launched with a group of 15 to 20 kids, who were forced to

participate as a form of detention. So successful have the results been that

today there are 8,000 students and 33 instructors in 72 schools.

" In the beginning, Pierre had a lot of trouble getting into the schools

because nobody believed that ballroom dancing would do anything for kids, "

tells ET. " [They felt] it is not going to stop aggressiveness, or

anything

like that. But it does, because it gives you a set of rules that you can

follow that have to do with real life. Pierre said to me, 'I wasn't trying to

make these kids professional dancers.' What he was trying to give them is what

comes with ballroom dancing. "

The understanding Pierre felt that his students could get from ballroom

dancing include lessons in pride, respect and honor.

, who danced the tango in Nine on Broadway with _CHITA RIVERA_

(http://movies./shop?d=hc & id=1800094455 & cf=gen) , says he is still

taking

lessons to learn the more difficult steps for the movie. But once it is over,

he and wife _MELANIE GRIFFITH_

(http://movies./shop?d=hc & id=1800018809 & cf=gen) have made a commitment

to study at Pierre's Manhattan dance

studio.

" We are going to go to his academy on 31st Street and start learning ballroom

dancing, " shares. " It is very cool because it is another way to

share things with your wife. And at the same time we are going to look

fantastic

when we go to all those parties and, when some beautiful swing or foxtrot

music plays, and show off. "

For more on New Line Cinema's 'Take the Lead,' directed by _LIZ FRIEDLANDER_

(http://movies./shop?d=hc & id=1808718775 & cf=gen) and written by

_DIANNE HOUSTON_ (http://movies./shop?d=hc & id=1804518214 & cf=gen) , tune

in

to tonight's ET. (http://insider.tv./news/1836/)