TORONTO‘S FAVORITE SHOW!
DIRTY DANCING – THE CLASSIC STORY ON STAGE
By Eleanor Bergstein
WINS 2008 DORA MAVOR MOORE
”AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD” FOR OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION
WITH RECORD NUMBER OF VOTES
The international hit Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage was presented with the 2008 Dora Mavor Moore “Audience Choice Award” at a ceremony honoring the best of the Toronto performing arts season at the Winter Garden Theatre this week.
After breaking box office records at Toronto’s Royal Alexandra Theatre before performances even began on October 31st, 2007, Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage has been seen by more than 450,000 people at over 250 performances. It has been extended through November 2nd, 2008.
The public was invited to vote online from a list of Outstanding Production nominees in all divisions for the Audience Choice Award for Outstanding Production, co-sponsored by NOW Magazine and Yonge-Dundas Square.
Administered by The Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts, the “Doras” consider plays, musicals, opera, dance and children’s theatre, and recognize the need for separate “divisions” – General, Independent, Dance, Opera and Theatre for Young Audiences.
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, combines all the intensity and excitement of live theater with new songs, new scenes, and thrilling new dances. Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage is an unprecedented live experience for lifelong fans of the film and new audiences alike that explodes 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. Including a cast of 37, the record-breaking show features 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 Globe and Mail called ”Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage “Stunning…Divine…Exciting!” “What a fun show! All the moves and magic of the movie. It will have you dancing in the aisles.” said CHUM FM Radio. Stunning theatre! Absolute perfection. Held me breathless all night long.” raved 680News Radio. Canadian Television News proclaimed “Hot, hot dancing!”
The Toronto production of DIRTY DANCING – The Classic Story On Stage stars Jake Simons as ”Johnny Castle,” Monica West as ”Frances ‘Baby’ Houseman” and Britta Lazenga as ”Penny.” They are joined by Al Sapienza as Baby’s father, ”Dr. Jake Houseman,” Victoria Adilman as her mother “Majorie” and Natalie Krill as her sister ”Lisa.” Victor A. Young plays ”Max Kellerman,” namesake of the resort at which the iconic story is set, with Adel Gigantes as ”Vivian,” Eric Fink as ”Mr. Schumacher,” Dylan Trowbridge as ”Neil Kellerman,” Kent Sheridan as “Moe Pressman,” Rudy Webb as ”Tito Suarez,” Ben Mingay as ”Billy,” Jeffrey Wetsch as ”Robbie,” Tyler Murree as “Stan” and Joyce Krenz as ”Mrs. Schumacher.”
The ensemble features Michelle Black, Lydia Bouchard, Karen Burthwright, Peter Buzny, Christopher Compton, Diana Diaz, Milda Gecaite, Ryan Gifford, Elizabeth Gordon, Bryan Hindle, Lane Kwederis, Jodi McFadden, Sarah Murphy-Dyson, Tammy Nera, Jesse Robb, Jaz Sealey, Jason Sermonia, Jivaro Smith, Christopher Tierney, Michael Torontow, Jonathan Whittaker, Johnny Wright and 2005 Canadian Idol winner, Melissa O’Neil.
The Toronto production is staged by the same acclaimed creative team as the London production, including Writer & Creator Eleanor Bergstein, Director James Powell, Choreographer Kate Champion, Musical Supervisor Conrad Helfrich, Set Design Stephen Brimson Lewis, Lighting Design Tim Mitchell, Sound Design Bobby Aitken, Video and Projection Design Jon Driscoll, Costume Design Jennifer Irwin and Latin and Ballroom Choreographer Craig Wilson.
The National Tour of Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage will host its pre-Broadway U.S. premiere in Chicago at the Cadillac Palace Theatre (151 W. Randolph St.) for a limited engagement from September 28 through December 7, 2008.
Tickets for the Toronto production can be purchased by phone through TicketKing at 416-872-1212 or 1-800-461-3333, online through www.mirvish.com and in-person at the Royal Alexandra Theatre Box Office at 260 King Street West.
For photos of the Toronto production visit: www.dirtydancingtoronto.ca/media/index.html
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For more information on Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage, go to www.dirtydancingamerica.com
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