DIRTY DANCING Opens Tonight in Sydney

Ten years after its world premiere in Sydney, the worldwide hit musical Dirty Dancing returns and has its Gala Premiere tonight at the Sydney Lyric Theatre. Produced by leading Australian theatre producer John Frost, this new production of Dirty Dancing will play at the Sydney Lyric Theatre for a strictly limited season, before touring to Melbourne's Princess Theatre from 1 March 2015, the Lyric Theatre, QPAC from 27 May, and the Crown Theatre, Perth from 2 August.

Two extraordinary young talents are making the leap from chorus to leading roles as the two iconic characters in this much loved musical production. The role of charismatic dance teacher Johnny Castle is played by Kurt Phelan while the role of innocent young Frances "Baby" Houseman is played by Kirby Burgess. A NIDA graduate, Phelan is an actor, choreographer and writer. His musical theatre credits include Singin' in the Rain, Witches of Eastwick, Saturday Night Fever and Priscilla Queen of the Desert. Burgess has been seen on stage in Sweet Charity, An Officer and A Gentleman, Hairspray, High School Musical -- Live on Stage and currently in LOVEBiTES, and on television in Wonderland.

Returning to the role which shot her to stardom ten years ago, for a limited engagement, is Nadia Coote as Penny Johnson. Young classical music singer Mark Vincent makes his musical theatre debut as Billy Kostecki, Johnny's cousin. Baby's father and mother, Jake and Marjorie, are played by Adam Murphy and Penny Martin, and her older sister Lisa by Teagan Wouters. Hotel owner Max Kellerman is Mike Bishop and making his professional debut as Neil Kellerman is Gabriel Brown. In the role of Mr Schumacher is Barry Mitchell and Tito Suarez is portrayed by Eric Rasmussen. The ensemble includes Erinn Arnel, Kyla Bartholomeusz, Charles Bartley, James Bryers, Aaron James Campbell, Amy Campbell, Anna Freeland, Kim Hudman, Elysha Manik, Sam Marks, James Maxfield, Chris Ostrenski, James D Smith, Hannah Stanton and Mitchell Woodcock.

"We have assembled an exceptional cast for this 10th Anniversary production of Dirty Dancing," said John Frost. "Dirty Dancing is a wonderful Australian success story, and I'm thrilled to bring it back to Australia. The stage musical gave audiences the chance to hear the songs from the hit film performed live and to experience the breathtaking dance routines. People flocked to it, breaking records all around the world. Now, ten years after the World Premiere in Sydney, it returns home to where the magic began with a sensational new cast, and audiences can again have the Time Of Their Lives."

Deputy Premier, Minister for Tourism and Major Events and Minister for the Arts, Troy Grant said, "I'm delighted to welcome this popular stage favourite back to Sydney, Australia's live performance capital. I would like to wish the cast and crew of Dirty Dancing the best of luck ahead of their Opening Night performance and encourage everyone to see this brilliant production at Sydney's Lyric Theatre."

It's the summer of 1963, and 17 year old Frances "Baby" Houseman is about to learn some major lessons in life as well as a thing or two about dancing. On holiday in New York's Catskill Mountains with her older sister and parents, Baby shows little interest in the resort activities, and instead discovers her own entertainment when she stumbles upon the staff quarters when an all-night dance party is in full swing. Mesmerised by the raunchy dance moves and the pounding rhythms, Baby can't wait to be part of the scene, especially when she catches sight of Johnny Castle the resort dance instructor. Baby's life is about to change forever as she is thrown in at the deep end as Johnny's leading lady both on-stage and off with breathtaking consequences.

Featuring hit songs including Hungry Eyes, Hey! Baby, Do You Love Me? and the iconic (I've Had) The Time Of My Life, Dirty Dancing has become one of the most popular musical productions of all time. The new production will play at the Sydney Lyric Theatre from 28 November this year, then Melbourne's Princess Theatre from 1 March and the Lyric Theatre, QPAC from 27 May.

For more about the musical, visit dirtydancingaustralia.com.

DETAILS:

SYDNEY

Venue: Sydney Lyric Theatre, The Star

Season: Selling to January 11

Performance Times: Wed-Sat 8pm, matinees Wed at 1pm and Sat at 2pm, Sunday 1pm and 6pm

Price: Tickets from $59.90*

Bookings: ticketmaster.com.au or 1300 795 267

Groups 8+ call 1300 889 278

MELBOURNE

Venue: Princess Theatre

Season: From 1 March, 2015

Performance Times: Wed-Sat 8pm, matinees Wed at 1pm and Sat at 2pm, Sunday 1pm and 6pm

Price: Tickets from $59.90*

Bookings: ticketmaster.com.au or phone 1300 111 011

Groups 8+ call 1300 889 278

BRISBANE

Venue: Lyric Theatre, QPAC

Season: From 27 May, 2015

Performance Times: Wed-Sat 8pm, matinees Wed at 1pm and Sat at 2pm, Sunday 1pm and 6pm

Price: Tickets from $59.90*

Bookings: qpac.com.au or phone 136 246

Groups 8+ 07 3840 7466

PERTH

Venue: Crown Theatre, Burswood

Season: From 2 August, 2015

Tickets on sale early 2015

*An additional transaction fee and/or a credit/debit payment processing fee may apply