By RODNEY HO/ rho@ajc.com, originally filed Thursday, June 18, 2015
Derek and Julianne Hough are the Donny and Marie Osmond of this generation. They are a sweet brother-sister team, both clean-cut, likable entertainers with sizable individual fan bases, courtesy of ABC's durable reality competition show "Dancing With the Stars."
The duo is returning to Atlanta 15 months after their first "Move Live" tour stop at Cobb Energy Performing Ats Centre, which sold out in a matter of days. This time, they've decided for a larger venue in Chastain Park Amphitheatre Tuesday night. (Buy tickets here, starting at $40.)
Cobb seats 2,750; Chastain’s capacity is 6,900. Based on Live Nation’s ticket site, the current show has sold just over half that.
“It’s bigger and better,” said Derek in a brief interview. "There's more content, more lighting, more visuals. The choreography is more creative. The costumes are a gazillion times better. We just raised our standards. It's a rock concert for dance."
And for folks who saw the show last year, Derek said this one is 100 percent new.
Derek is the most successful pro dancer on ABC’s durable “Dancing With the Stars,” having taken home five mirror-ball trophies. He has never finished lower than sixth. On stage, he brings creativity, charisma and clean lines.
His sister Julianne won the show twice and started as a judge last year. She brings her own sexy charm, fashion sense and grace to the dance floor.
Naturally, the show will feature a variety of dances, from pasodoble to latin to ballroom. "We even have a whole tap routine," Derek said. "It's a high impact, non-stop show."
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Either he or his sister will be on stage almost the entire show.
While most of the tour is in indoor theaters, Atlanta’s outdoor venue means the dancers are likely to face temperatures well into the 80s by show time. Derek said he hopes the anticipated heat won’t impact them. “We’ll just have to stay hydrated,” he said.
Derek isn't sure if he's going to return for the 21st season of "Dancing" this fall but he hasn't counted it out.
"I've been very fortunate to be a part of this show," he said. "It's still incredibly successful."
He also said he doesn't mind having Julianne on the judge's panel. "I think she's fair," he said. "But as far as results go, I haven't done as well since she came aboard." (His celebrity contestants came in fourth each of the past two seasons.)
Could this be a sign of sibling dissension? No. "I'm just kidding," he said quickly.
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
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