Behind the Scenes at 'Forever Tango'

Karina Smirnoff Guest-Stars in 'Forever Tango'

Posing atop creator-director Luis Bravo's cello and and one of the band's accordions, Karina Smirnoff jokes about dancing in these sky-high heels. "It's impossible!"

Karina Smirnoff and Luis Bravo

"The way Luis [Bravo] explains a dance is: he tells you about what inspired him to write that piece of music, and you just feel it," says Karina Smirnoff as she prepares for a pre-show rehearsal with the creator-director. "He pulls it out of you."

Read THR's review of Forever Tango.

Karina Smirnoff and Argemira Affonso

Karina Smirnoff proudly displays the work of costume designer Argemira Affonso, known affectionately as "Miro." This particular dress will be worn by dancer Marcela Duran. "She does each costume by hand," Smirnoff explains.

Read THR's backstage interview with Smirnoff.

'Forever Tango' Dancers

Backstage at Forever Tango, the cast gets into costume for the first act.  

Read THR's review of Forever Tango.

Hair and Makeup

"On Dancing With The Stars we have a whole trailer of hair people and another for makeup, so we have plenty of manpower to make us look gorgeous by the time the show starts," explains Karina Smirnoff as Jean Luc Don Vito readies her for the show. "Here, we have Jean Luc who does everyone’s makeup and hair -- it’s only one person. So we have to do certain things by ourselves. Theater is a whole different animal."

Read THR's backstage interview with Smirnoff.

Karina Smirnoff and Maksim Chmerkovskiy

"Once we get into initial position in the blackout and the music and lights come on ... you don’t think about it," says Karina Smirnoff of the centerpiece dance. "You know people are out there but you are in your own bubble."

Read THR's review of Forever Tango.

Karina Gets a Lift from Maks

"I've done ballet and gymnastics, but ballroom dancing to me had everything -- the sports, the show biz, the dresses hair and makeup," says Karina Smirnoff, who won the 13th season of Dancing with the Stars (with dance partner and soap star J.R. Martinez). "You get to be a girl and paint your nails and wear mascara!"

Read THR's backstage interview with Smirnoff.

"Romance Entre el Dolor y Mi Alma"

Karina Smirnoff gazes into partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy's eyes. The two dated from 2008 to 2009 and were briefly engaged. "For the last four years, we haven’t been together," she says. "Now, we're not just together all the time, we are involved in this emotional journey. It’s scary and beautiful all at the same time."

Read THR's review of Forever Tango.

'Forever Tango' Rehearsal

"On Dancing With The Stars, if we have a partner who is not as naturally talented or had previous training in dancing, there are ways to try to camouflage and hide certain moves and technique -- all dancers know that and use that," says Karina Smirnoff. "Here, there is no hiding. You got to be 100 percent ready every single night."

Read THR's backstage interview with Smirnoff.

'Forever Tango' on the Great White Way

Outside the Walter Kerr Theatre, Karina Smirnoff and Maksim Chmerkovskiy's shine in lights. The best seats in the house: the first row of the top balcony, says Smirnoff. "You can see everything from there."