The last time professional dancer Derek Hough went out on the road with a live show two years ago, he shared the stage with his sister Julianne Hough as part of their 48-city “Move – Beyond – Live on Tour.”

This time around, it’s all Derek.

The six-time “Dancing with the Stars” champion and current judge on NBC’s “World of Dance” competition series kicked off his first-ever solo stage production, “Derek Hough: Live! The Tour,” on April 5 in Charlotte, N.C.

Directed by two-time Emmy Award winners Napoleon and Tabitha Dumo (Jennifer Lopez: All I Have Residency; Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour), the tour will visit 56 cities, including Pittsburgh on April 17 at Benedum Center as part of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s Cohen and Grigsby Trust Presents series.

Hough’s new stage production features a live band and a cast of seven dancers supporting the main attraction.

Speaking during a break from final rehearsals in Los Angeles before the tour got under way, Hough says show preparations were going well.

‘So many rhinestones’

“We have amazing dancers that are so talented and athletic,” he says. “Their energy is incredible – and their costumes are so beautiful; so many rhinestones!”

It wasn’t that he didn’t enjoy performing with Julianne, he says, it’s just that they’re at different points in their lives and he was ready to go solo.

In addition to the dance routines, which will incorporate all of Hough’s specialties, including ballroom, Latin, tap, salsa, hip-hop “and everything in between,” he says this show will focus on the music as well, which was a priority in creating the show.

Musical journey

“Music is so important in this production,” he says. “I’ve really taken my time with the set list, selecting music that is timeless. I’ve gone back to the classics and included a lot of big-band and musical theater selections.”

He worked with his musicians for a month to get the arrangements the way he wanted them, creating a score that will take fans on a musical journey.

“I want this to be more of a theatrical experience with more of an emphasis on what’s happening onstage,” he says.

Song and dance man

One more addition to the show will be Hough performing not only as a dancer, but as a singer – although he suggested the vocals are actually a good chance to take a break from all the dancing he’s doing.

“I wondered how I’m gonna get some breaths in between dance numbers,” he says. “The way I look at it, the moments I take a breather are the moments I sit on a stool and sing.”

He promised to include his medley from “A Star is Born” that was a fan favorite when he posted a snippet of himself singing the hit song “Shallow” to his girlfriend, dancer Hayley Erbert, on social media. He later created a song-and-dance video featuring “Shallow” and “I’ll Never Love Again” from the movie.

Hough also shared his health ritual that will help keep him energized through the 10-week, 56-city tour that doesn’t wind down until June 15. It involves “a lot of stretching, eating the right foods and ice baths” to prevent dance injuries.

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