‘Dirty Dancing’ National Tour Announces Full Casting Ahead of August Launch

Casting has been announced for the upcoming North American tour of “Dirty Dancing,” with performances set to begin this August at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Annalese Starzec will star as Frances “Baby” Houseman, alongside Blake Zelesnikar as Johnny Castle. The cast also includes Olivia Cece as Penny Johnson, Bryan Fenkart as Jake Houseman, Dan Klimko as Neil Kellerman, Ashley LaLonde as Elizabeth, Gina Lamparella as Marjorie Houseman, Loren Lester as Max Kellerman, Ethan Peterson as Billy Kostecki, and Erick Pinnick as Tito Suarez.

The ensemble features Emma Jade Branson, Marcus Anthony Byers Jr., Jonas Cohen, Sarah Ellis, Aria Christina Evans, Anthony J. Gasbarre III, Lily Kren, Zoe Edan Lemelman, Francesca Mancuso, Brett Rawlings, Jason Richards, Antony Sanchez, Grace Sautter, Neil Starkenberg, Fisher Lane Stewart, John Swapshire, and Carmella Taitt.

The new production will be directed by Lonny Price, who portrayed Neil Kellerman in the original 1987 film. Lionsgate is producing the tour in partnership with Showpath Entertainment Limited and Magic Hour Productions.

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The production was previously announced as a potential pre-Broadway launch for 2025, though no Broadway engagement has been confirmed.

“Dirty Dancing” made its stage debut in Australia in 2004, using songs from the hit film and a script by the movie’s screenwriter, Eleanor Bergstein. The musical later opened in London’s West End in 2006, where it ran for five years before returning for revivals in 2013 and 2022.

In North America, the musical has had several previous outings. A limited “pre-Broadway” tour launched in 2006 with stops in Toronto, Chicago, Boston, and Los Angeles, followed by a full North American tour in 2014.

The creative team includes choreographer Darrell Grand Moultrie, music supervisor and arranger Joseph Joubert, scenic designer Brett J. Banakis, costume designer Linda Cho, lighting designer Japhy Weideman, sound designer Kai Harada, video designer David Bengali, and hair and wig designer Charles G. LaPointe. Casting is by The TRC Company’s Claire Burke and Peter Van Dam, while Alchemy Production Group serves as general manager.

For more information and additional details, theatergoers can visit  DDMusical.com.