Lewis Griffiths, Katie Hartland and Carlie Milner Lead New DIRTY DANCING Tour

Casting has been announced for a new UK and Ireland touring production of DIRTY DANCING. Lewis Griffiths (Jersey Boys, Ghost and Legally Blonde tours, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Rent and Whistle Down the Wind in the West End) will star as Johnny Castle, while recent Central graduate Katie Hartland makes her professional musical theatre debut as Baby Houseman. Carlie Milner, who began as part of the Dirty Dancing ensemble in 2014 and subsequently took over the role of Penny, reprises her performance.

Julian Harries is Jake Houseman, Simone Craddock plays Marjorie, Roger Martin plays Max Kellerman, Jo Servi plays Tito Suarez, Lizzie Ottley plays Lisa, Michael Kent plays Billy, Greg Fossard plays Neil, Tony Stansfield plays Mr Schumacher, and Daniela Dobega plays Elizabeth. Other company members include Gabby Antrobus, Imogen Brooke, Simon Campbell, Robert Colvin, Katie Eccles, Beth Highsted, Megan Louch, Ashley Rumble, Callum Sterling, Austin Wilks and Karl James Wilson.

Dirty Dancing's tour, produced by Karl Sydow, Joye Entertainment and Paul Elliott, follows two West End runs, two UK tours and numerous international versions. The classic story of Baby and Johnny, featuring sensational dancing and hit songs like "Hungry Eyes", "Hey! Baby", "Do You Love Me?" and "(I've Had) The Time Of My Life", has been reconceived in an all-new production directed by Federico Bellone, choreographed by Gillian Bruce and with design reimagined by Roberto Comotti. The production premiered in Milan in July 2015, and will shortly be embarking on a major Italian tour. The show features a script by Eleanor Bergstein, who created the beloved 1987 film.

The 2016-17 UK tour begins in Blackpool this August, and includes stops at Swansea, Wimbledon, Manchester, York, Coventry, Belfast, Cardiff and Birmingham. For full tour dates and to book tickets, visit www.dirtydancingontour.com