Based on the 1987 film (which won an Oscar for Best Original Song), the national tour of Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage begins performances Aug. 26 at The National Theatre in Washington D.C. Featuring a book by the film's screenwriter Eleanor Bergstein, the Equity tour is directed by James Powell with choreography by Michele Lynch based on the original choreography by Kate Champion. Samuel Pergande and Jillian Mueller star as Johnny Castle and Frances "Baby" Houseman.