The first ever UK tour, which launched in September 2011, wowed audiences across the country and was seen by over one million people. The production recently returned to the West End, enthralling audiences at the Piccadilly Theatre, where it played a limited season until February 2014 before touring the UK and Ireland.
Producer Karl Sydow said, “Dirty Dancing’s UK journey goes from strength to strength. The unique combination of Eleanor Bergstein’s iconic story and the breathtaking dancing for which the show is renowned has proven so popular around the country that we are really looking forward to allowing new audiences to experience this timeless classic live on stage.”
Peter Cutchie, Chief Executive of Wolverhampton Grand Theatre said: “I am absolutely thrilled to have secured Dirty Dancing as one of the highlights of our Autumn 2014 programme. As the only confirmed Midlands date in this new UK Tour, Dirty Dancing represents the latest in a series of high profile, internationally recognized musicals to tour to the theatre over the last three years with past success stories including Hairspray in June 2010, Sister Act in February 2011 and last summer’s sell-out production of Ghost The Musical in June 2013. The fact that the Grand continues to attract these large-scale shows is hugely important for the venue and for the city and re-enforces the Grand’s status as one of the region’s premiere entertainment providers. I am delighted to bring this iconic stage show to the people of Wolverhampton, the Black Country and the wider West Midlands.”
Gareth Bailey will star as Johnny Castle, one of the most iconic roles in popular culture. Gareth started his Dirty Dancing journey in the first UK tour where he played Robbie. He then went on to play Johnny Castle in South Africa as part of the international tour of Dirty Dancing, prior to joining the West End company at the Piccadilly Theatre. Other credits include Brother Love’s Travelling Salvation Show (UK tour); Starlight Express (Germany); Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Theatre Royal Plymouth) and Cinderella (Cliffs Pavilion).
Roseanna Frascona will be carrying the watermelon as idealistic Baby Houseman, who discovers love and life in the summer she will never forget. Roseanna’s credits include At First Sight (UK tour); The Taming of the Shrew (international tour); Murder in the Cathedral (Oxford Playhouse) and Antigone (Southwark Playhouse).
Claire Rogers will play Penny Johnson. Claire’s credits include Dirty Dancing (Piccadilly); Chicago (UK tour); Moulin Rouge (Paris and international tours) and La Varieté (Hackney Empire). Her film and television credits include Nine (The Weinstein Company); Victoria Wood’s Christmas Cracker – The Giddy Kipper and Fashion TV (Sky) and Star Academy for French TV.
The cast also includes James Coombes as Dr. Jake Houseman, Julia J. Nagle as Marjorie Houseman, Jessie-Lou Yates as Lisa Houseman, Colin Charles as Tito Suarez, Alexander Wolfe as Neil Kellerman, Michael Remick as Max Kellerman, Wayne Smith as Billy Kostecki and Mark Faith as Mr Schumacher. Also joining the company are James Bennett, Sarah Cortez, Lizzi Franklin, Francis Haugen, Antony Hewitt, Verity Jones, Lewis Kirk, Robin Lake, Garry Lee, Carly Miles, Carlie Milner, Simone Mistry-Palmer, Marlon Moore, Brandon Lee Sears and Natalie Winsor.
Produced by Karl Sydow and Joye Entertainment, in association with Lionsgate and Magic Hour Productions, and written by Eleanor Bergstein, script writer of the phenomenally successful 1987 film, the production features all the much-loved characters and original dialogue from the iconic film with exciting extra scenes added in.
The tantalising dance sequences and brand new choreography come alive on stage, set to all the hits from the unforgettable soundtrack, including ‘Do You Love Me?’, ‘Hungry Eyes’ and the Academy Award Winning ‘(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life’, plus many additional songs, making the show a truly extraordinary live experience.
Book Tickets
Performance Dates: Tues 23 September – Sat 11 October 2014
Performance Times: Mon – Sat evenings 7.30pm, Wed and Sat matinees at 2.30pm, additional matinee Thurs 9 Oct.
Tickets: From £27.50 – £48.50