Broadway Bound DIRTY DANCING to 'Dance' into the Neil Simon Theatre in 2009?

Daily Variety is reporting that the international stage hit Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage could be making itself a home on Broadway at the Neil Simon Theatre after current resident Hairspray takes its final bow. While no official plans have been confirmed, inside word is that 'Dancing' looks to be eyeing the space for it's Rialto bow. There is no word on an exact date for a Broadway opening, but insiders predict a Fall 2009 start for the film to stage tuner. The production is currently playing an extended run at Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre through January 17th, 2009.

Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage is produced by Jacobsen Entertainment, in association with Lionsgate and Magic Hour Productions, and written by Eleanor Bergstein, writer and co-producer of the phenomenally successful movie.

Proclaimed "The biggest live theatre sensation of all time" by The Observer newspaper in London, Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage also received four stars from The Times, The Independent, Financial Times, Evening Standard, Mail on Sunday, Sunday Times and Time Out London.

The movie Dirty Dancing is a legendary entertainment phenomenon.  The soundtrack continues to sell millions of copies.  And now live audiences can experience it as never before.  Re-imagined for the stage by the original screenwriter Eleanor Bergstein, Dirty Dancing - The Classic Story On Stage is an unprecedented live experience, exploding with heart-pounding music, breathtaking emotion and sensationally sexy dancing. Step inside the classic story of Baby and Johnny, two fiercely independent young spirits from different worlds, who come together in what will be the most challenging and triumphant summer of their lives – told by a tremendous cast of 39 and featuring 35 hit songs, including "Hungry Eyes," "Hey Baby," "Do You Love Me?" and the heart-stopping Academy Award®-winning "(I've Had) The Time of My Life."

The cast is lead by Amanda Leigh Cobb playing Frances 'Baby' Houseman and JoseF Brown re-creating the role of Johnny Castle Baby's headstrong love interest. MR. Brown previously played Johnny in the London and Australian productions of Dirty Dancing.  Britta Lazenga - member of the Joffrey Ballet - plays the role of Penny Johnson. Ben Mingay reprises his role as Billy.  Previously he has played the role in Australia, London and Toronto. They are joined by John Bolger as Baby's father Dr. Jake Houseman, Kaitlin Hopkins as her mother Marjorie, and Katlyn Carlson as Baby's sister Lisa.

Rounding out the cast of 39 are Molly C. Callinan as Vivian, Joseph Costa as Mr. Schumacher, Jonathan Epstein as Max Kellerman, namesake of the resort at which the iconic story is set, Ryan Farrell as Robbie, Michael W. Howell as Tito Suarez, Lauren Klein as Mrs. Schumacher, Michael Lluberes as Stan, Gary Lynch as Moe Pressman, and Adam Overett as Neil Kellerman.  The ensemble includes John Antony, Jamie  Bayard, Timothy Bish, Thea Brooks, Karen Burthwright, Theresa Coombe, E. Clayton Cornelius, Ashley Fitzgerald, Hayley Henderson-Smith, Darina Jeleva, TRavis Kelley, Charlie Logan, Lauralyn Mcclelland, Erich McMillan-McCall, Samuel Pergande, Andrew Pirozzi, Sarah Skogland, Easton Smith, Billy Harrigan Tighe, Aspen Vincent, Tony Vincent, Emily J. Williams, and Candice Marie Woods.

The acclaimed creative team responsible for the record-breaking London and Toronto productions of Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage brings the show to the United States.  Directed by James Powell, with choreography by Kate Champion, the team also includes:  Stephen Brimson Lewis (set design), Conrad Helfrich (music supervisor), Tim Mitchell (lighting design), Bobby Aitken (sound design), Jon Driscoll (video and projection design), Jennifer Irwin (costume design) and Craig Wilson (Latin and Ballroom dance choreographer). For more information on Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage, go to www.DirtyDancingAmerica.com

Broadway Across America-Boston will be hosting an Open Captioned performance of Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage for the hearing impaired on Sunday, March 8 at the 2:00pm matinee performance.  Tickets may be purchased through Voice-(617) 880-2419, TTY-(617) 426-3444 or in person at The Colonial Theatre Box Office, 106 Boylston Street, Boston during normal box office hours Monday through Saturday from 10:00am – 6:00pm.

Open Captioning is an alternate form of accessibility for the deaf and hard of hearing population in the United States. The c2net.org website describes Open Captioning as "text displayed simultaneous to live speech, dialogue or performance". This technology is now utilized by theaters nationwide. It provides hearing impaired patrons with the complete script and song text for live performances on small screens directly adjacent to audience seating.  For more comprehensive information on Open Captioning visit www.c2net.org. 

Broadway Across America:  Owned and operated by British theatre producer John Gore (CEO) and led by Thomas B. McGrath (Chairman), Broadway Across America presents first-class touring Broadway musicals and plays, family productions and other live events throughout a network of 43 North American cities.  Broadway Across America is also dedicated to the development and production of new and diverse live theatre for productions on Broadway, across America and throughout the world.  Current Productions include Tony Award-winners BOEING BOEING and SPAMALOT, 13 A NEW MUSICAL, as well as THE BACKYARDIGANS.  Upcoming productions include WEST SIDE STORY, DORA THE EXPLORER and the Broadway premiere of Irving Berlin's WHITE CHRISTMAS opening this 2008 holiday season.  For more information or to purchase tickets through an authorized agent go to BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com

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