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Why Derek Hough is sitting out "Dancing with the Stars" season 20

Derek Hough will be spending spring in the city and not on the "Dancing with the Stars'" ballroom floor.

The 29-year-old entertainer will be skipping this season of the hit ABC show so that he can star as the male lead in New York Spring Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall alongside the Rockettes and Tony Award-winning actress Laura Benanti.

And only ET has the inside scoop as to whether Derek might be able to squeeze in a "DWTS" appearance this season.

"I'm moving over to the East coast for a couple of months," he exclusively tells ET. "I'm joining this amazing show at Radio City Music Hall, which is incredibly iconic and amazing and grand and spectacular, it's just amazing. I'm really excited about it."

"New York Spring Spectacular" kicks off in March, the same month "Dancing with the Stars" celebrates its 20th anniversary, something Derek is sad to miss.

"I'll always want to be a part of "Dancing with the Stars," it's like my family and even be a part of this season in any way that I can. If I have any time, I would love to make something happen," he promises.

Despite missing his "DWTS" family, Derek is thrilled to be joining the cast of "Spring Spectacular" for his seven-week stint on the brand new production that takes the audience on a tour through New York City.

"It's basically a love letter to New York," he explains. "It's such a huge ensemble of characters and people, and real-live people incorporated into the story. It's a kaleidoscope of fun and entertainment; it's just going to be an absolute amazing show."

Other familiar voices joining the Harvey Weinstein-produced show are Bella Thorne, as the voice of the Alice In Wonderland Statue, and Whoopi Goldberg, who's voicing the Statue of Liberty.

Hough's run at Radio City Music Hall goes from March 12 to May 3.

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