Theatergoers across North America are in for a nostalgic treat as a brand-new stage adaptation of Dirty Dancing gears up to launch its tour. Kicking off this August at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the production promises to inject a fresh creative perspective into the beloved 1987 film that originally starred Jennifer Grey and the late Patrick Swayze. Naturally, the show is drawing a massive amount of attention, especially since it arrives right on the heels of Lionsgate’s recent announcement regarding a movie sequel. That cinematic follow-up, spearheaded by Hunger Games producers Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson, will see Grey returning to her iconic role and is slated to begin production later this year.
Assembling the Creative Team Behind the scenes, Lionsgate is teaming up with Showpath Entertainment Limited and Magic Hour Productions to bring the musical to life. Fans of the original movie have a lot to look forward to, as Eleanor Bergstein, the film’s original screenwriter, penned the book for the stage show. The production will also feature live performances of the massive hit songs that defined the original release. Bergstein recently shared her amazement at how generations of fans have embraced the story’s underlying themes of honor and courage. Wanting to give audiences a way to actually inhabit that world, she originally co-produced the stage version and is now thrilled to revisit it alongside her longtime friend, director Lonny Price. Price, known for his work on Sunset Boulevard and Company, is joined by choreographer Darrell Grand Moultrie, who recently lent his talents to Fat Ham and Beyonce’s World Tour. They are backed by a powerhouse design team that includes Brett J. Banakis on sets, Linda Cho handling costumes, Japhy Weideman on lighting, Kai Harada doing sound, David Bengali managing video, and Charles G. LaPointe designing hair and wigs.
A Masterclass in Theatrical Charm While Dirty Dancing prepares to hit the road, another movie-turned-musical continues to demonstrate exactly how to captivate a live audience. Kinky Boots, based on the 2005 film about a struggling Northampton shoe factory that pivots to manufacturing thigh-high boots for drag queens, remains an absolute riot of energy. Thanks to designers Robert Jones and Tom Rogers going all out on the visual elements, the production is heavily drenched in feathers and sparkle. Directed by Nikolai Foster, the show occasionally leans a bit too heavily on literal interpretations, yet it consistently finds ways to soar. That stage magic is arguably most visible in Johannes Radebe. Best known as Jojo from Strictly Come Dancing, Radebe is a born performer who feels practically tailor-made for the role of the drag queen Lola. You honestly can’t take your eyes off him when he’s moving. His entrances are nothing short of spectacular, often involving dramatic trapdoors, floor-length crimson gowns, and voluminous blonde wigs that brilliantly channel a mix of Diana Ross and Whitney Houston.
Finding the Rhythm of the Factory The sheer otherworldly glamour of Lola serves as the perfect foil to the show’s grounded everyman, Charlie Price. Usually portrayed by Matt Cardle, the likable but directionless Charlie was played by understudy Liam Doyle on the night of this review due to illness. Charlie is a guy reluctantly pulled back from London following his father’s death to take over a failing family business, setting the stage for a classic culture clash comedy. As Charlie and Lola hash out a crazy scheme to save the factory, the musical warmly and humorously unpacks themes of gender, sexuality, and the heavy expectations placed on sons by their fathers. Harvey Fierstein’s book definitely falls into the “tell, don’t show” trap from time to time, perfectly highlighted when Charlie’s fiancée bluntly declares, “We may have been born in a small factory town but I sure as hell don’t intend to stay!”
Anthems and Showstopping Moments Despite some narrative heavy-handedness, Cyndi Lauper’s undeniably energetic pop-rock score keeps everything moving at a brisk pace. Her lyrics might carry a bit of pop predictability, but tracks like her passionate ode to stilettos, “Sex Is in the Heel,” are far from obvious. The music easily proves that a relentless, driving riff can quickly turn into a massive anthem, even if the melodies aren’t necessarily tunes for the ages. Sure, the show might not always transcend its source material, but when it hits the right notes, the energy is infectious. When Lola and the intensely blokeish antagonist Don, played by Billy Roberts, are about to duke it out in a boxing match but suddenly launch into a brief, sizzlingly confrontational pasodoble, the entire stage absolutely lights up.