Abbott stars opposite Samuel Pergande as Johnny Castle with Doug Carpenter (Billy Kostecki, Singer), Jerome Harmann-Hardeman (Tito Suarez), Ryan Jesse (Neil Kellerman), Caralyn Kozlowski (Marjorie Houseman), Gary Lynch (Max Kellerman), Scott McCreary(Robbie Gould), Herman Petras (Mr. Schumacher), Emily Rice (Lisa Houseman), Mark Elliot Wilson(Dr. Jake Houseman) and Jenny Winton (Penny Johnson). The ensemble comprises John Antony,Rachel Boone, Amanda Brantley, Josh Drake, Rashaan James, II, Joshua Keith, Alexandra Matteo, Michael Milton, Phoebe Pearl, Virginia Preston, Michael Thomas Pugliese, Jennlee Shallow, Nicole Spencer and Paul Victor.
“The company that we have assembled for our North American tour is beautiful and truthful,” stated Eleanor Bergstein, screenwriter of the film "Dirty Dancing" and book writer for the musical. “I originally wrote the movie because I love to dance. And since the movie first appeared, 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. This remarkable cast brings those dreams to life through their extraordinary talent and exceptional skill. It’s been a deep pleasure for us to watch audiences around the country respond as this lovely group of people brings Dirty Dancing home to North America.”
The tour is directed by James Powell with choreography by Michele Lynch based on the original choreography by Kate Champion. The creative team also includes Stephen Brimson Lewis (set design), Tim Mitchell (lighting design), Jennifer Irwin (costume design), Bobby Aitken (sound design), Jon Driscoll (video and projection design), Bernie Ardia (hair design), Conrad Helfrich (music supervisor and orchestrations) and Alan Plado (music director).
"It’s the summer of 1963, and 17-year-old Frances ‘Baby’ Houseman is on vacation in New York’s Catskill Mountains with her older sister and parents," according to press notes. "Mesmerized by the racy dance moves and pounding rhythms she discovers in the resort’s staff quarters, Baby can’t wait to be part of the scene, especially when she catches sight of Johnny Castle, the resort’s sexy dance instructor. Passions ignite and Baby’s life changes forever when she is thrown in to the deep end as Johnny’s leading lady, both on-stage and off."
The North American tour of Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage is produced by Amber Jacobsen, NETworks Presentations LLC, Grove Entertainment, and Col Joye in association with Lionsgate and Magic Hour Productions. For more information visit http://us.dirtydancingontour.com.
