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An autobiographical story between dance, music and personal experiences in “Shall We Dance! – Dancing from Palermo to London”, a show by Giovanni Pernice on stage on July 24th in Messina at the Giardino Corallo. Winner of “Dancing with the Stars” in 2024 with the actress Bianca Guaccero, already a master in the original British version of the “Strickly Come Dancing” format, the dancer from Palermo returns to Sicily for a journey down memory lane, retracing his life and career, including the path that led him to become a star of English TV and theatre. On stage, four pairs of dancers, including Pernice himself with his artistic partner Erica Martinelli, will give life to a contemporary reinterpretation of Latin American and classical dances, those most loved by audiences of every generation. Accompanying the show will be lots of live music, vocalists and a selection of great hits, for an engaging dancing “jukebox” capable of transforming the story into an exciting, dynamic and spectacular experience. The show is produced by Il Sistina with the artistic direction of Massimo Romeo Piparo from Messina, creator of the Italian version of “Dancing with the Stars”.
“For ten years I did my one man show in England – says Pernice -. After the experience on “Dancing with the Stars” I wanted to bring the show to Italy for our audience. Massimo had the brilliant idea of actually making it and I’m really enthusiastic about it”.
The show therefore represents the closing of a circle of which the victory at “Ballando” was a fundamental piece…
“Twelve years ago I was called to “Strickly Come Dancing” and from there I built my career in England between television and theater. Two years ago I had the chance to return to Italy to do “Dancing with the Stars”, where I met Bianca who turned out to be the best dancer I’ve had in 14 years of activity. And getting to the final by winning the program on my first experience on the show is certainly not a given. A good start in every sense.”
“Shall We Dance!” it will be a real live show, not just dance. What can you anticipate?
“There is an incredible musical variety, from Freddie Mercury to Michael Jackson via Abba and Frank Sinatra. We will be four couples of dancers, four musicians and three singers. Among the dancers, two colleagues from “Ballando”: my partner Erica Martinelli and Nikita Perotti, winner of the last edition. The public will see an entertainment show, in which there will not only be dancing, but also songs and games, with moments of great public involvement”.
Is it possible to create a show like this in Italy?
“I’m trying and I hope with all my heart to succeed. In England there is a very strong theater culture that I would like to bring here too with this project; I really hope it works and there is a significant public response.”
She is a Sicilian talent who has achieved great success abroad. What advice would you give to a young person wishing to gain professional experience in this sector?
“We Sicilians have a unique talent that distinguishes us in any field; just think that the majority of Italian dance champions come from our areas. The only thing I could recommend is to explore other possibilities, without becoming too fossilized in our land; therefore opening the floor to 360 degrees, trying your hand at many dance disciplines. I believe this can help as it has helped me.”