Theaters goers can look forward to having the time of their life when Dirty Dancing: The Musical hits the stage.
A new stage production adaptation of the 1987 movie starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey is being developed by Lionsgate and The Path Entertainment Group, under its live stage arm Showpath. The plans are for a Broadway bound production. Dirty Dancing: The Musical will kick off in 2025 with a major run in North America. From there, there are plans to take the show abroad to Asia, Australia, Latin America and beyond.
The companies are working with the original writer of the movie, Eleanor Bergstein, to develop the new musical. Tony Award nominee, Obie Award winner, and two-time EMMY Award winner Lonny Price, who played Neil Kellerman in the Dirty Dancing film, will direct the re-envisioned production.
Dirty Dancing, set during the summer of 1963, follows the journey of Frances “Baby” Houseman and dance instructor Johnny Castle as they navigate love, passion, and personal growth.
The new production promises to have unforgettable songs and new ones, too. The original motion picture soundtrack, created by Jimmy Ienner, yielded 2 multi-platinum albums and multiple singles. “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life”, performed by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes, won the Oscar for Best Original Song, as well as the Golden Globe for Best Original Song and the Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals. There was also the chart-toppers “She’s Like the Wind” which was performed by the late Swayze and “Hungry Eyes” performed by Eric Carmen.
Bergstein said today: “In the years after I wrote and co-produced the original film Dirty Dancing, I was grateful and astonished by the generations of audiences who responded with open hearts to the themes of honor and courage beneath the surface. Years later, sensing our audiences wanted to ‘be there’ while the story was happening, I wrote and co-produced a stage show. Its reception all over the world exceeded my sweetest dreams. Now we’ve come full circle, and with my old friend Lonny Price by my side, I’m returning to the stage with a reimagined version. Its hope is to be equal to the new world swirling around us while revisiting more fully and precisely the story I’d wanted to tell when I wrote my first lines. It’s my way of saying thank you to you all.”
Price added, “I am beyond excited be reunited with Eleanor and to join her in bringing this expanded Dirty Dancing to the stage. For the people who already love the movie, they will get a deeper, more nuanced version of the characters they fell in love with. Having played Neil in the movie, I know full well the scores of people who have been touched by this story, and for me to return to Kellerman’s and direct this new musical iteration truly is a thrill.“
“Dirty Dancing continues to be one of the most enduring and impactful titles in Lionsgate’s library. The important truths and themes present in Dirty Dancing are as relevant today as they were in 1987. We’re thrilled to create a live experience that honors the cultural significance and storytelling magic of the original film while inviting a new generation to fall in love with Dirty Dancing,” said Jenefer Brown, EVP and Head of Global Products & Experiences, Lionsgate.
Dirty Dancing the movie grossed over $200 million at the worldwide box office and spawned a prequel, Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights; a TV series, multiple competition reality shows, and a previous stage production with sold-out performances around the world, and a made-for-TV musical adaptation. There’s also an upcoming untitled Lionsgate sequel film which remains in the works. The original film is one of Lionsgate’s all-time best-selling library titles.
