Elizabeth Berkley Steps It Up on Bravo

Elizabeth Berkley will debut Thursday night as host of Bravo’s reality show “Step It Up & Dance,” joined by acclaimed choreographer Jerry Mitchell, who will mentor 12 dancers from across the country who compete to become… the next top dancer.

Bravo, the channel of time-proven reality competition series like “Project Runway” and “Top Chef,” is bringing us another kind of struggle: dancers aspiring to set their feet in the dance industry and earn the show’s $100,000 prize.

Elizabeth Berkeley, regrettably best associated with reviled flop “Showgirls,” acts as the series’ host and one of its judges.

Director and choreographer Vincent Paterson, who has collaborated with Madonna on her Blond Ambition Tour and with Michael Jackson on his Bad Tour, will serve as judge for the competition, together with choreographer Nancy O'Meara (“Hannah Montana,” “High School Musical Tour”).

Emmy Award nominee and Tony Award-winning director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell will mentor the 12 dancers, as they strive each week “to master every conceivable dance style, from ballet and ballroom to Broadway and burlesque.”

The network promises that the competition will turn “fierce,” as the dancers will audition for a range of parts, designed to showcase their versatility and moves. The show will end with only one contestant receiving the final “call back” and the chance to perform, with the ultimate dancer winning $100,000.

Berkley is also starring in a multi-episode arc on CBS’ “CSI: Miami,” as Julia Winston, a murder suspect in the death of her billionaire husband. As it happens, she is also the ex-wife of Miami cop Horatio Caine (David Caruso) and mother of Caine's troubled son, Kyle.