Karate Kid's Daughter Plays Lead in Flashdance - The Musical

New York dancer and actor Julia Macchio will play the lead role of Alex Owens in FLASHDANCE – THE MUSICAL in Auckland next month.

Julia (24) has been playing the role on the show’s United States and Canada tours for the past six months and leads the all-American cast in the show on stage in The Civic from Thursday 21 April.

“When I was offered the role of Alex, it just felt meant to be,” Julia says. “I was at a point in my life that made me feel extremely connected to this character – her independence, her drive, her wanting to work for her own success. I hope I get to inspire others through my performance the way Alex has inspired me.”

Julia trained in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, lyrical, and hip hop for 14 years at Long Island Academy of Dance and is a Hofstra University graduate with a BA in Dance.

She is the daughter of well-known 1980’s actor Ralph Macchio, best known for the lead role in the Karate Kid movies as well as starring roles in The Outsiders, Crossroads and My Cousin Vinny.


Photo courtesy of SWPR

“My Dad has had a huge influence on my career as an amazing role model. He has always encouraged me to keep a good head on my shoulders, to be respectful, and to work hard. He has always supported the fact that I want to have my own career and earn opportunities myself. In fact, he encouraged it. But he gives the smartest advice and I'm blessed to have him by my side.

“Mom and Dad, and my brother have seen our show multiple times and encouraged me to find the joy in every single performance.”
 
With electrifying dance at its core, FLASHDANCE – THE MUSICAL tells the inspiring and unforgettable story of Alex Owens, a Pittsburgh steel mill welder by day and a club dancer by night with dreams of one day becoming a professional dancer.

When romance with her steel mill boss threatens to complicate her ambitions, Alex learns the meaning of love and its power to fuel the pursuit of her dream


Photo courtesy of SWPR

The original 1983 Paramount Pictures film was a worldwide smash hit that became a pop culture phenomenon, grossing more than $US150 million and featuring a Grammy Award-winning soundtrack including many of the biggest hits of the 1980s - the Academy Award-winning title song Flashdance – What a Feeling, Maniac, Gloria, Manhunt and I Love Rock & Roll.

Julia believes that Alex’s story is as relevant for young women today as it was for women in the 1980’s. “Even though we tried to really stay true to the 80s and what the film brought to the big screen 30 years ago, the story of somebody chasing his or her dream will never be outdated, because no matter who you are or where you come from, every one of us has goals that we wish to achieve. And we should never stop chasing that dream.”

FLASHDANCE – THE MUSICAL is at The Civic, Auckland from Thursday 21 April. Tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster 0800 111 999 www.ticketmaster.co.nz