DIRTY DANCING
THE CLASIC STORY ON STAGE
By Eleanor Bergstein
Celebrates its 200th Performance on Wednesday April 23rd,
and adds a new booking period with 96,000 more tickets
on sale Monday April 28th.
The tour is open ended in Toronto. The US tour begins in Chicago
this fall with a stop on the west coast, Boston and then a return to Chicago next year.
On Wednesday April 23, 2008 Toronto’s DIRTY DANCING – The Classic Story On Stage will celebrate its 200th performance at The Royal Alexandra Theatre. The ecstatic response from audiences has created such a demand for tickets that producers are now adding 8 more weeks of performances, extending the run of the show until November 2, 2008. 96,000 new tickets go on sale Monday April 28th.
Written by Eleanor Bergstein, writer and co-producer of the phenomenally successful film, 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 holiday 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.
Jake Simons stars as Johnny Castle, Monica West is Frances ‘Baby’ Houseman and Britta Lazenga is Penny.
They are joined by Al Sapienza as Baby’s father, Dr. Jake Houseman, Victoria Adilman as her mother Majorie and Natalie Krill as her sister Lisa. Victor A. Young plays Max Kellerman, namesake of the resort at which the iconic story is set, with Adel Gigantes as Vivian, Eric Fink as Mr. Schumacher, Dylan Trowbridge as Neil Kellerman, Kent Sheridan as Moe Pressman, Rudy Webb as Tito Suarez, Ben Mingay as Billy, Jeffrey Wetsch as Robbie, Tyler Murree as Stan and Joyce Krenz as Mrs. Schumacher. The ensemble includes Michelle Black, Lydia Bouchard, Karen Burthwright, Peter Buzny, Christopher Compton, Diana Diaz, Milda Gecaite, Ryan Gifford, Elizabeth Gordon, Bryan Hindle, Jodi McFadden, Sarah Murphy-Dyson, Tammy Nera, Jesse Robb, Jaz Sealey, Jason Sermonia, Jivaro Smith, Christopher Tierney, Michael Torontow, Jonathan Whittaker, Johnny Wright and 2005 Canadian Idol winner, Melissa O’Neil.
The Toronto production is staged by the same acclaimed creative team as the London production, including Writer & Creator Eleanor Bergstein, Director James Powell, Choreographer Kate Champion, Musical Supervisor Conrad Helfrich, Set Design Stephen Brimson Lewis, Lighting Design Tim Mitchell, Sound Design Bobby Aitken, Video and Projection Design Jon Driscoll, Costume Design Jennifer Irwin and Latin and Ballroom Choreographer Craig Wilson.
With unforgettable songs like “Hungry Eyes,” the Academy Award-winning “(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life” and classics like “Do You Love Me?” DIRTY DANCING – The Classic Story On Stage is a popular culture icon.
Tickets for the next extension period, until November 2nd, go on sale on Monday April 28th. Ticket prices are $26 to $120.
DIRTY DANCING
Into Second Year
New ‘Johnny’, ‘Baby’ and ‘Penny’
Begin Performances August 19, 2008 at Toronto’s Royal Alexandra Theatre
Former Stars of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and
the National Ballet of Canada join the Company
It’s been a year since the North American premiere production of DIRTY DANCING began rehearsing in Toronto. As is usually the case with large-scale sit-down stage productions, the original cast members were signed to a one-year contract, and some are moving on to new projects. This affords audiences a chance to see DIRTY DANCING again with a new ‘Johnny,’ ‘Baby’ and ‘Penny.’
In a unique and exciting arrangement, two performers will share the part of ‘Johnny Castle’ a physically challenging role with complex and intricate choreography.
Having already performed the part eight times a week for almost a full year, Jake Simons knows first hand the stamina it takes to bring the character to life. Mr. Simons, who received acclaim for his stellar work as ‘Johnny’ and who every show has produced spontaneous screams of delight from audience members, will continue in the Toronto production but will now perform four shows a week.
Johnny Wright, considered one of Canada’s finest ballet dancers when he was a first soloist with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, will also play ‘Johnny’. Born in Vancouver, BC, Mr. Wright’s career began with Judith Marcuse Dance Company, followed by Alberta Ballet. He joined the Royal Winnipeg Ballet in 1997 and during his decade with the company danced many principal roles, including ‘Tamino’ in The Magic Flute, the title role in Dracula, ‘Tybalt’ in Romeo & Juliet, ‘Captain Hook’ in Peter Pan, ‘The Champion Roper’ in Agnes de Mille’s Rodeo, ‘Hilarion’ in Giselle, the sorcerer ‘Baron von Rothbart’ in Swan Lake and the evil fairy ‘Carabosse’ in Sleeping Beauty. His physicality in contemporary works has made him sought-after in such productions as Carmina Burana, Four Last Songs, Angels In The Architecture and Hikarazatto, to name a few. Career highlights include performing for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. His film credits include Shall We Dance? Guy Maddin’s Dracula: Pages From A Virgin s Diary, Sombra Delarosa and CBC’s The Tale of The Magic Flute, for which he was awarded a 2006 Gemini for his portrayal of ‘Tamino’.
Auditioning for the DIRTY DANCING creative team inspired Mr. Wright to leave the ballet world and explore new opportunities, even before he knew he was cast in the show. He was a member of the original Toronto cast as a Swing and an understudy for ‘Johnny.’ His wife, ballet dancer Sarah Murphy-Dyson, is an ensemble member of the DIRTY DANCING cast and worked with him at the RWB.
Playing ‘Frances (Baby) Houseman’ will be Ashley Leggat. A native of Hamilton ON, Ms. Leggat is one of the stars of the popular TV show Life With Derek, which is shown around the world on the Family and Disney networks. Her television and movie credits include Confessions Of A Teenage Drama Queen, The Music Man, A Very Married Christmas, Roxana and Cadet Kelly as well as recurring roles in In A Heartbeat and I Was A Sixth Grade Alien. Her theatrical credits include The Sound Of Music, Cinderella, The Wizard Of Oz, Anne Of Green Gables and The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe (Theatre Aquarius). She also performed the role of ‘Clara’ in The Nutcracker at Hamilton Place.
Another acclaimed ballet dancer, Julie Hay, will play the role of ‘Penny’. A Torontonian, Ms. Hay trained in classical ballet at the Quinte Ballet School and upon graduation immediately joined the National Ballet of Canada where she was soon promoted to second soloist. Her work with the company include the principal role ‘Emeralds’ in George Balanchine’s Jewels, as well as the ‘Dark Angel’ in Balanchine’s Serenade and featured roles in his Don Quixote. She has danced the ‘Spanish Princess’ in Swan Lake, the ‘Principal Fairy’ in The Sleeping Beauty, ‘Tall Girl’ in Elite Syncopations. ‘The Prostitute’ in Glen Tetley’s La Ronde, ‘Hermia’ in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and the ‘Queen of Hearts’ in Alice. She has danced many roles in James Kudelka’s choreography, including ‘Petal’ and the ‘Stepsister’ in his Cinderella and featured roles in Cruel World, Desir, There Below, Four Seasons and Terra Firma.
Also joining the cast: Storm Newton in the role of ‘Billy‘, for which he has the pleasure of singing some of the show’s signature songs, such as “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life,” and “In the Still Of The Night”; Todd Burnsed (ensemble); Dominique Roy (ensemble); and JD Aubrey Smith (Swing).
They are joined by Al Sapienza as Baby’s father, Dr. Jake Houseman, Victoria Adilman as her mother Majorie and Natalie Krill as her sister Lisa. Victor A. Young plays Max Kellerman, namesake of the resort at which the iconic story is set, with Adel Gigantes as Vivian, Eric Fink as Mr. Schumacher, Dylan Trowbridge as Neil Kellerman, Kent Sheridan as Moe Pressman, Rudy Webb as Tito Suarez, Jeffrey Wetsch as Robbie, Tyler Murree as Stan and Joyce Krenz as Mrs. Schumacher. The ensemble includes Michelle Black, Lydia Bouchard, Peter Buzny, Christopher Compton, Diana Diaz, Milda Gecaite, Ryan Gifford, Elizabeth Gordon, Bryan Hindle, Lane Kwederis, Jodi McFadden, Sarah Murphy-Dyson, Tammy Nera, Jesse Robb, Jaz Sealey, Jason Sermonia, Jivaro Smith, Michael Torontow, Jeffrey Wetsch, Jonathan Whittaker and 2005 Canadian Idol winner, Melissa O’Neil.
The Toronto production is staged by the same acclaimed creative team as the London production, including Writer & Creator Eleanor Bergstein, Director James Powell, Choreographer Kate Champion, Musical Supervisor Conrad Helfrich, Set Design Stephen Brimson Lewis, Lighting Design Tim Mitchell, Sound Design Bobby Aitken, Video and Projection Design Jon Driscoll, Costume Design Jennifer Irwin and Latin and Ballroom Choreographer Craig Wilson.
With unforgettable songs like “Hungry Eyes,” the Academy Award-winning “(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life” and classics like “Do You Love Me?” DIRTY DANCING – The Classic Story On Stage is a popular culture icon.
Tickets for DIRTY DANCING are available until November 2nd.
Ticket prices are $26 to $120.
Tickets can be purchased by phone through TicketKing at 416-872-1212 or 1-800-461-3333,
and in-person at the Royal Alexandra Theatre Box Office at 260 King Street West.
