One of the most beloved movies of all time (at least to those of us of a certain generation) is back on stage and LIVE! Eleanor Bergstein's stage adaptation of her hit 1987 movie
Dirty Dancing is opening a brand new North American tour right here at the Ordway in St. Paul. What used to be known as
Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on Stage (
and stopped at the Orpheum across the river in 2014) has been revamped with an all new creative team under director Lonny Price, and a new name:
Dirty Dancing: The Musical. "The classic story on stage" is a more appropriate subtitle (
and is still being used in the UK), but Americans love musicals, so
Dirty Dancing: The Musical it is! Despite the fact that technically this is not a musical, it's a play with music, and in this case that's a very good thing. Meaning, they didn't turn this iconic story into a
muuuuusical by writing new songs for the characters to sing to each other, it's really just the movie we love recreated live on stage with fantastically talented dancers, singers, actors, and musicians. If you love
Dirty Dancing, as so many of us do, it's an absolute thrill to hear this iconic soundtrack played and sung live and watch the iconic dance moves, as this love story we know and love so well plays out exactly as we expect. It's a comfort, and a joy. And it's here for a nice long run, through September 6, so head to lovely downtown St. Paul, eat in one of the many restaurants (I love
Ruam Mit), maybe even stay overnight at one of the downtown hotels (I recommend the
charming boutique hotel Celeste, in an old convent), and have the time of your life. But please
buy your tickets only from the Ordway's official site, not from any third-party vendor (which could be a scam).
Here are some highlights of this new production of Dirty Dancing on stage:
- The live music is incorporated very well, with the majority of the singing done by Kellerman performer Tito (Erick Pinnick), aspiring singer Elizabeth (Ashley Lalonde), and Johnny's cousin Billy (Ethan Peterson), in a way that makes sense within the story. All three are great singers but the latter in particular is a gorgeous and expressive singer, in addition to an endearing Billy.
- All of your favorite songs from the movie are here, as well as a few more, and sound fabulous played by the ten-piece pit orchestra which includes six local musicians, conducted by Patrick Tice-Carroll.
- I really liked the set, designed by Brett J. Banakis, who also designed the set for The Notebook, seen at the Ordway last fall, and has similar elements. It's a mix of practical set pieces that really evoke that historic lodge feeling (two huge wooden stairways up to an elevated walkway that can be raised and lowered, a giant A-frame rafter that doubles as the balancing log when lowered almost to the floor, and doors that move around and can also be mirrors, used to good effect), a couple of different painted backdrops, and projections that show the landscape of the Catskills (video design by David Bengali).
- The scene of Baby and Johnny practicing The Lift in the water is so beautifully and effectively done, with a very clever use of a scrim and lighting.
- The dancing (choreographed by Darrell Grand Moultrie) is everything you want it to be, fun and sexy and familiar, and will make you want to take dance lessons (at least it did me!).
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| Annalese Starzec and Blake Zelesnikar (photo by Matthew Murphy) |
Let's face it, we're all here for Baby and Johnny, and they found some good ones! Annalese Starzec and Blake Zelesnikar absolutely look the part, the former is sweet and spunky and earnest, the latter appropriately brooding and a fantastic dancer, with a great chemistry together.- Other highlights in the large and talented cast include Bryan Fenkart as Baby's wonderful father, incredible dancer Olivia Cece as Johnny's dance partner Penny, and Loren Lester as the affable Mr. Kellerman, with a wistfulness as he sees this Catskills summer resort life fading.
- The costumes recreate the iconic look of the movie (Johnny's black leather jacket, Baby's full skirted finale dress), while still feeling fresh and bright (designed by Emily Rebholz).
- Even though this is a fun and feel-good show, it's not without depth, exploring issues of classism, the importance of women's reproductive health care, and standing up for what's right, all still very timely issues.
- The opening night audience was one of the most enthusiastic audience I've been a part of for quite some time. People love this story, and aren't afraid to show it! But the best surprise audience member was Eleanor Bergstein, who hopefully soaked up all the love for the story and the characters that she created nearly 40 years ago.
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| photo by Matthew Murphy |
