Hot Feet premiered in Washington, D.C. at the National Theatre on March 6, 2006 and closed on April 9. Directed and choreographed by Maurice Hines, the cast featured Allen Hidalgo, Ann Duquesnay, Keith David, Michael Balderrama, Samantha Pollino, Vivian Nixon, and Wynonna Smith.
A slightly different incarnation of Hot Feet began previews on Broadway on April 20, 2006 after being delayed twice to allow Heru Ptah more time to rework the book, which was brutally criticized by the Washington critics.