Ovation Greenlights A CHANCE TO DANCE - An Exciting New Dance Competition Series From Father-Son Producing Team Nigel & Simon Lythgoe

SANTA MONICA, Calif., March 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The announcement was made today that Ovation, the only multi-platform network dedicated to art, artists and all forms of artistic storytelling, has green-lit a new dance competition series from executive producers Nigel and Simon Lythgoe. A co-production between their two respective companies, Nigel Lythgoe Productions (NLP) and Legacy Productions, A CHANCE TO DANCE follows Michael Nunn and William Trevitt — two former Royal Ballet dancers known as "The BalletBoyz," as they audition, select and train a new American dance company.

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"With distribution surpassing 50 million homes, Ovation is expanding into more and more high-profile, signature original programming that will showcase how art makes for compelling TV with mass audience appeal. A CHANCE TO DANCE is an excellent example," said Kris Slava, SVP of Programming, Ovation. "We are jazzed to be working with Nigel and Simon Lythgoe, who are among the most successful producers of reality competition shows in television today. Between them they have years of experience crafting hit shows like So You Think You Can Dance (which we recently acquired rights to air several seasons of) and American Idol. They combine a commitment to the arts with a track record for making addictive TV -- a perfect match for Ovation. Viewers are in store for a very exciting and inspiring show."

"Simon and I are thrilled to be working with Ovation, a network that truly speaks to our artistic passions," said Nigel, CEO, NLP. "We've been fortunate to tap into an insatiable craving for dance on television, and with A CHANCE TO DANCE we hope to continue to fill that need." "With the incredible talents of "The BalletBoyz," unlike any other competition show on television, A CHANCE TO DANCE will provide audiences with a rare glimpse into what it takes to audition, train and participate in a true American dance company," said Simon, President, Legacy Productions.

A CHANCE TO DANCE is set to premiere on Ovation August 17.

About Ovation
Ovation is the only multi-platform network celebrating art, artists and all forms of artistic story-telling. Its programming tells the stories of artists, their work, and the powerful impact art has on each of us. Ovation programming is a one-of-a-kind mix of original and selectively curated series, films, documentaries and specials. The network reaches a national audience of 51 million homes and is available on cable systems across the country, as well as nationally on DIRECTV, Dish, Verizon FiOS and AT&T U-Verse. Ovation is also available in HD and VOD (both in standard and high definition). Ovation extends its linear channel experience for viewers online via its popular website, www.ovationtv.com. In addition to offering contests, trivia, facts and supplemental video online, the network has created an award-winning online community (www.ovationtv.com/community) for everyone from passionate artists to the curious. To date, over 190,000 pieces of original art have been uploaded to the site by members.

About Legacy Productions
In 2010, Emmy-nominated producer Simon Lythgoe partnered with his television mogul father Nigel Lythgoe and his newly formed company, Nigel Lythgoe Productions, to launch Legacy Productions. Legacy Productions is an international television production company based in Los Angeles, California. The company specializes in, but is not restricted to, nonfiction and reality programming for the major broadcasting and cable networks in the United States and around the world. The father-and-son producing duo has such an expansive range of experience, it was only natural for them to combine their skills and create Legacy Productions. Between them they have worked in every genre of television and have produced shows on three different continents.

About Nigel Lythgoe Productions (NLP)
NLP is a Los Angeles-based television production company headed by CEO Nigel Lythgoe, executive producer of American Idol and co-creator, executive producer and judge on So You Think You Can Dance. Founded in 2011, NLP already has a slate of unscripted and scripted projects in place. Lythgoe is supported at NLP by industry veterans Kary McHoul, who serves as president, and George David Monas, vice president of production.

The BalletBoyz
Lifelong friends and former Royal Ballet dancers Michael Nunn and William Trevitt are an internationally known producer and choreographer duo. They formed the U.K. dance company "The BalletBoyz" in 2000. The Company was nominated for the 2001 and 2003 South Bank Show dance awards. During their 12 years at The Royal Ballet between them they danced all the Principal roles including: Romeo (Romeo and Juliet), Prince Siegfried (Swan Lake), Lescault and Des Grieux (Manon), Prince Charming (Cinderella), Florimund (Sleeping Beauty), Crown Prince Rudolph (Mayerling), King of the Sweets (Nutcracker) as well as creating roles for choreographers Kenneth MacMillan, Glen Tetley, Twyla Tharp, William Forsythe, David Bintley and Christopher Wheeldon. They are Ambassadors for His Royal Highness Prince Charles's charity Children and The Arts. Michael and Billy both live in West London with their families.

SOURCE Ovation