"I originally wrote the movie because I love to dance. Since the movie opened, the openhearted audience response has made me believe that everyone has a secret dancer inside them, one they feel could connect them to the physical world in the way they dream, " Bergstein says. "As I learned how many people watched the movie over and over and over, I began to think that what they really wanted was to share more intensely in the event, to step through the screen and be there while the story was happening. And if that was true, then its natural form was live theater -- audiences watching live bodies dancing here and now -- on the log, on the bridge, on the dance floor and in the staff quarters at Kellerman's. Writing it for the stage, I was also able to add more Baby and Johnny scenes, more about the family, more songs, and, most exciting of all -- more dancing."
Dirty Dancing -- The Classic Story On Stage is a coming of age love story involving the talented and headstrong dancer Johnny Castle and Frances "Baby" Houseman. During her family's summer vacation at the popular Kellerman's resort, Baby, a doctor's daughter with dreams of joining the Peace Corps, meets Johnny, the guy from the wrong side of the tracks. Against all odds, they fall in love, learning life-changing lessons along the way. Dirty Dancing -- The Classic Story On Stage, follows the highs and lows of their summer romance. The original story of Dirty Dancing has been expanded for the stage. While keeping magical moments from the film, in the theater, Baby and Johnny's relationship is developed further; there is more sensational dancing and more music, joining favorite songs like the Academy Award-winning "(I've Had) The Time Of My Life," "Hungry Eyes," "Hey Baby" and "Do You Love Me?"
Producer Kevin Jacobsen OAM said, "Following record-breaking seasons in Australia, New Zealand and Germany, Dirty Dancing -- The Classic Story On Stage opened in London's West End in 2006 with the largest advance sales in theatrical history. The production received ecstatic reviews from the UK critics and every performance to date has been completely sold out. The Toronto production opened in November last year to record-breaking advance sales and continues to enthral audiences night after night. We hope that American audiences will be as eager to see the show as those throughout the rest of the world have been."
Proclaimed "The biggest live theatre sensation of all time" by The Observer newspaper in London, Dirty Dancing -- The Classic Story On Stage also received four stars from The Times, The Independent, Financial Times, Evening Standard, Mail on Sunday, Sunday Times and Time Out London.
The acclaimed creative team responsible for the record-breaking London and Toronto productions of Dirty Dancing -- The Classic Story On Stage will bring the show to the United States. Directed by James Powell, with choreography by Kate Champion, the team also includes: Stephen Brimson Lewis (set design), Jennifer Irwin (costume design), Tim Mitchell (lighting design), Bobby Aitken (sound design), Jon Driscoll (video and projection design), Craig Wilson (Latin and Ballroom dance choreographer), and Conrad Helfrich who continues to serve as musical supervisor.
Dirty Dancing -- The Classic Story On Stage will premiere in Chicago for a limited engagement beginning September 2 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph Street, Chicago. Tickets are now available for groups of 20 or more by calling (312) 977-1710 and to subscribers of the 2008 Walgreens Broadway In Chicago Season Series. Individual tickets range in price from $28 - $95 and will be available to the general public starting April 4. American Express Cardmembers can get advance tickets through February 28. For tickets, visit americanexpress.com/entertainment or call 1-312-902-1400.
For more information visit www.broadwayinchicago.com or www.dirtydancingtour.com
