Broadway In Chicago Announces The Return of DIRTY DANCING-THE CLASSIC STORY ON STAGE, Aug. 18-30
Broadway In Chicago is pleased to announce that Christopher Tierney and Gillian Abbott will star as Johnny Castle and Frances “Baby” Houseman in the Chicago return of Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage. Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage will play the Cadillac Palace Theatre (151 W Randolph) for a limited two-week engagement, August 18-30, 2015.
Tierney and Abbott lead a company of 25 that also includes Doug Carpenter (Billy Kostecki, Singer), Jerome Harmann-Hardeman (Tito Suarez), Ryan Jesse (Neil Kellerman), Gary Lynch (Max Kellerman),Scott McCreary (Robbie Gould), Herman Petras (Mr. Schumacher), Alex Scolari (Lisa Houseman), Mark Elliot Wilson (Dr. Jake Houseman), Margot White (Marjorie Houseman) and Jenny Winton (Penny Johnson). The ensemble comprises John Antony, Rachel Marie Bell, Rachel Boone, Josh Drake, Rashaan James II, Joshua Keith, Alexandra Matteo, Katelyn Prominski, Amy Quanbeck, Adam Roberts,Jennlee Shallow, Paul Victor and Devan Watring.
Christopher Tierney has previously been seen performing with Hubbard Street Dance in Chicago, and Jenny Winton danced with the Joffrey Ballet.
“The company that we have assembled for our North American tour is beautiful and truthful,” says Eleanor Bergstein, screenwriter of the film Dirty Dancing and book writer for the musical. “I originally wrote the movie because I love to dance. And since the movie first appeared, the open-hearted audience response has made me believe that everyone has a secret dancer inside them, one they feel could connect them to the physical world in the way they dream. This remarkable cast brings those dreams to life through their extraordinary talent and exceptional skill. It’s been a deep pleasure for us to watch audiences around the country respond as this lovely group of people brings Dirty Dancing home to North America.”
The production’s book is written by Eleanor Bergstein and the North American tour will be directed by James Powell with choreography by Michele Lynch based on the original choreography by Kate Champion. The creative team also includes Stephen Brimson Lewis (set design), Tim Mitchell (lighting design), Jennifer Irwin (costume design), Bobby Aitken (sound design), Jon Driscoll (video and projection design), Bernie Ardia (hair design), Conrad Helfrich (music supervisor and orchestrations) and Alan Plado (music director).
Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage is an unprecedented live experience, exploding with heart-pounding music, passionate romance and sensational dancing. Seen by millions across the globe, this timeless love story features the hit songs “Hungry Eyes,” “Hey Baby,” “Do You Love Me?” and the heart-stopping “(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life.” London’s Sunday Express says “This crowd-pleasing stage adaptation hits the jackpot!”
It’s the summer of 1963, and 17-year-old Frances ‘Baby’ Houseman is on vacation in New York’s Catskill Mountains with her older sister and parents. Mesmerized by the racy dance moves and pounding rhythms she discovers in the resort’s staff quarters, Baby can’t wait to be part of the scene, especially when she catches sight of Johnny Castle, the resort’s sexy dance instructor. Passions ignite and Baby’s life changes forever when she is thrown in to the deep end as Johnny’s leading lady, both on-stage and off.
Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage began as an eight-week staged workshop in Manhattan in the fall of 2001. It was first performed at the Theatre Royal in Sydney, Australia in November 2004 before embarking upon a hugely successful tour of Australia and New Zealand. A new production opened at the Theater Neue Flora in Hamburg, Germany in March 2006 where it broke records for achieving the highest advance in European history.
The production began performances on London’s West End in October 2006 with an £11 million advance and went on to become the longest running show in the history of the Aldwych Theatre. It closed in July 2011 in advance of a two-year UK national tour and then returned to London for a strictly limited season at the Piccadilly Theatre.
Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage has gone on to perform across the world in markets as diverse as Utrecht, Holland, Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa. Most recently, it has been represented by a new UK tour (which launched March 2014 in Bristol), a German tour (which launched April 2014 in Berlin) and a French tour (which is currently playing Paris). The show returned to Australia with a new tour that premiered in late 2014 in honor of the stage production’s 10th anniversary. The current North American tour launched in Washington, DC in August 2014 and is currently booked through the 2015-2016 season.
The North American tour of Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage is produced by Amber Jacobsen, NETworks Presentations LLC, Grove Entertainment, and Col Joye in association with Lionsgate and Magic Hour Productions.
For more information, please visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com or http://us.dirtydancingontour.com/.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
Tuesdays at 7:30 PM
Wednesdays at 2 PM and 7:30 PM (no matinee performance on Aug. 19)
Thursdays at 7:30 PM
Fridays at 7:30 PM
Saturdays at 2 PM and 8:00 PM
Sundays at 2 PM and 7:30 PM (no evening performance on Aug. 30)
TICKET INFORMATION
Individual tickets for Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage at the Cadillac Palace Theatre are on sale now. Tickets are available for groups of 10 or more by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710. Tickets are available at all Broadway In Chicago Box Offices (24 W. Randolph St., 151 W. Randolph St., 18 W. Monroe St. and 175 E. Chestnut), the Broadway In Chicago Ticket Line at(800) 775-2000, all Ticketmaster retail locations and online at www.BroadwayInChicago.com. For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.
CHRISTOPHER TIERNEY (Johnny Castle) has danced with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Les Ballet Jazz du Montreal and Houston Ballet. First national tour of Movin’ Out and the North American premiere of Dirty Dancing. Original cast on Broadway in Spiderman: Turn Off The Dark. Off Broadway credits include I Am The Wind (The One) and Downward Facing Debbie (Tate). Featured actor inAcross The Universe with Julie Taymor. All my heart to mom, dad, Patrick and Natalie for their love and support.
GILLIAN ABBOTT (Frances “Baby” Houseman) humbly makes her National Tour debut as “Baby”. Recently made her television debut on HBO’s Boardwalk Empire, performed in choreographer Stacey Tookey’s Moments Defined, and The Metropolitan Opera’s Prince Igor. Proudly graduated from The Juilliard School after beginning her professional career in Cirque du Soleil’s Beatles LOVE show. Blessed to begin her journey in Calgary, Alberta among family, friends and mentors. Thanks be to God! www.gillianabbott.com
DOUG CARPENTER (Billy Kostecki / Singer) BM in Voice from UNLV, MM in Voice from UCLA. Regional: South Pacific (Cable, Papermill Playhouse), Most Happy Fella (Joey, Goodspeed), Camelot(Lancelot, Pasadena Playhouse/Carnegie/Lyceum), Oklahoma (Curly, Penn Shakes), Cloak and Dagger (Signature), and Miss Saigon (Chris, Moonlight Amphitheater). Doug is the only singer to win both the American Traditions Competition and the Lotte Lenya Competition.
JEROME HARMANN-HARDEMAN (Tito Suarez) Previous credits include: Broadway, Off Broadway, National Tours, International: SWING the musical, Kiss of The Spiderwoman with Chita Rivera, The Full Monty with Elaine Stritch, Dreamgirls (Curtis), The Fantasticks (Bellomy), Ragtime (Coalhouse), Cats, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Simeon), Once On This Island (Agwe), Smokey Joe’s Café (Adrian), Kiss Me Kate (Paul). Television: “One Life To Live.” Film: Annie 2014.
RYAN JESSE (Neil Kellerman) Broadway: Jersey Boys (Bob Gaudio); 1st National Tour: Jersey Boys (Bob Gaudio); Int’l Tour: Cinderella starring Lea Salonga (Prince u/s); Regional: Grey Gardens (Joe Kennedy, Jr./Jerry) at Portland Center Stage; New York Musical Theater Festival: The Last Starfighter (Blake/Zur), Coming of Age (Young Man). An Arizona native, Ryan holds a B.A. in Musical Theater from University of Northern Colorado. Proud AEA member. Thanks to Laura Stanczyk casting and Avalon Artists. www.ryanjesse.com
GARY LYNCH (Max Kellerman) Broadway: Les Miserables (Jean Provaire/Javert), Mamma Mia! Original Cast, North American & US Premieres/1st National (Sam Carmichael); 2 time National Broadway Award nominee, Dirty Dancing Original Cast – US Premiere/1st National (Moe Pressman). Numerous Credits include: Off Broadway, Regional, International, Stock, TV and Film. Gary serves on the board of directors and teaching staff at the New Jersey School of Dramatic Arts. Proud member AEA SAG/ AFTRA www.garylynchactor.com
SCOTT McCREARY (Robbie) is thrilled to make his theatrical debut with Dirty Dancing! TV: NBC’s “The Sing-Off.” Opera: The Marriage of Figaro (Count Almaviva); Giasone (Hercules). Cellist: Cabaret(Broadway), New Haven Symphony, MM Rice University. Former Yale Whiffenpoof. Ironically for Robbie, an Eagle Scout. Thanks to Catherine, Mom, Dad, Helen, and everyone at Laura Stanczyk!
HERMAN PETRAS (Mr. Schumacher) has performed in Camelot (Merlyn, Pellinore U/S), She Loves Me (Mr. Maraczek), Beauty and the Beast (Maurice), and has toured Europe and Southeast Asia withWest Side Story (Doc), logging in nearly 200 performances. National tours include the dual role in Kiss Me, Kate (Harry/Baptista), Fame: The Musical (Mr. Scheinkopf) and Hello, Dolly (Horace Vandergelder) opposite Carol Channing. He is a proud member of Actors’ Equity.
ALEX SCOLARI (Lisa Houseman) is thrilled to make her National Tour debut with Dirty Dancing! Regional: Jason Robert Brown’s 13 (Mark Taper Forum), Los Angeles Premiere of Big: The Musical.Training: BFA from University of Michigan, RADA. Huge thank you to everyone on the creative team and at Laura Stanczyk. So much love to Mom, Fred, BBR, and the rest of my family and friends!
MARK ELLIOT WILSON (Dr. Jake Houseman). Film: Experimenter, Sam & Amira, The Girl in the Book, We Need to Talk About Kevin, Pistol Whipped, World Trade Center, Noise, The Theory of Love,Personal Vendetta. Television: “Elementary,” “White Collar,” “Damages,” “Fringe,” “The Bronx is Burning,” “Law & Order (CI, SVU),” “Dream On,” “Flying Blind,” “Love Street,” “All My Children.” Theatre: Salomé (with Al Pacino), Ghosts, Unidentified Human Remains, Love Talker, Rebecca, and Summer Shorts.
MARGOT WHITE (Marjorie Houseman) Touring Debut; Broadway/Off-Broadway: Constellations (MTC); Aaron Sorkin’s The Farnsworth Invention; Rosmersholm (The Pearl, opp. Austin Pendleton); The Traveling Lady (E.S.T., Dir. Horton Foote); Pericles (Red Bull); Love Goes to Press! (Mint Theatre); Unspeakable (Harlem’s Apollo); TACT (company member). Regional: Marshall Mason’s revival of Talley’s Folly at The McCarter with Richard Schiff; A.C.T., Studio Theatre (DC), CATF. TV/Film: “Unforgettable,” “Law & Order,” “Law & Order: Criminal Intent,” “Blue Bloods,” “Black Box,” “Ugly Better,” “Four Single Fathers.” Many thanks to casting, family & friends!
JENNY WINTON (Penny Johnson) was born in San Francisco, CA. She trained at the San Francisco Ballet School under Lola de Avila, Pascale Leroy, Gloria Govrin, and Shannon Breshnahan. She danced with Pennsylvania Ballet II in 2008, and joined the Joffrey Ballet in 2009. Upon finishing her fifth season with Joffrey, she was invited to the 2014 USA IBC where she competed as a Senior Female Soloist.
JOHN ANTONY (Ensemble) Most recently appeared in Stephen Sondheim’s Passion directed by John Doyle at the Classic Stage Company, New York. Broadway & Broadway tours: White Christmas, 42nd St., Titanic, Sunset Blvd, Annie Get Your Gun, Passion. Off-Broadway & Regional: Aida, The King & I, Legally Blonde, Chicago, Footloose, Dangerous Beauty.
RACHEL MARIE BELL (Vivian Pressman, Ensemble) is thrilled to make her national tour debut with Dirty Dancing! Favorite credits include The Merry Widow (Dodo/Clo-Clo Swing) at The Metropolitan Opera, A Chorus Line (Kristine) at The John W. Engeman Theater. TV: “Flesh and Bone”, “America’s Got Talent.” BFA Dance Performance from UC Irvine. Immeasurable love and thanks to Doug, my parents, and everyone at Laura Stanczyk! www.rachelmariebell.com
RACHEL BOONE (Ensemble) is delighted to be on the road with this amazing production! National Tours: CATS. Regional: NC Theatre, Cape Playhouse, Westchester Broadway Theatre, TBTS, and MSMT. BFA from FSU. All my love and thanks to my beautiful family! To God be the glory.
JOSH DRAKE (Swing, Assistant Dance Captain, Fight Captain) Touring debut! Top theatre credits include: Dreamgirls, Chicago The Musical, A Chorus Line, Les Miserable. Huge thanks to everyone involved with this timeless project! Let’s have the time of our lives! This is for mom and “Boo Boo”. Training: The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (NYC).
RASHAAN JAMES II (Ensemble) attended University at Buffalo for a BFA in Musical Theatre. Favorite credits: Joseph…Dreamcoat at DTC (Naphtali), Dreamgirls with Jennifer Holliday (Tru-Tone/5 Tuxes),West Side Story International Tour, South Pacific 1st National Tour (Swing/Henry u/s) and the 42nd Street National Tour. Thanks to HC, MG and Mom for your love and support! Facebook.com/Rashaanjames2
JOSHUA KEITH (Ensemble) is thrilled to be joining the Dirty Dancing Family! A Christmas Carol (NSMT), In The Heights (Walnut Street Theatre), All Shook Up (NSMT), A Chorus Line (MSMT), Cutman(Goodspeed Musicals), Debbie Allen’s Oman! Oman! (Kennedy Center). Joshua 1:8.
ALEXANDRA MATTEO (Swing) is elated to be touring the country with this iconic show! Broadway: Annie (u/s Grace, u/s Lily) National Tours: Anything Goes, Addams Family (u/s Wednesday). Training: BoCo. Thanks to my agents at The Mine. All my love and thanks to Mom, Dad, Michael and my wonderful fiancé Mario. I am so excited to come home and marry you! www.alexandramatteo.com
KATELYN PROMINSKI (Ensemble) Washington, DC native! TOUR: First National: Flashdance the Musical (Ballet Dancer). REGIONAL: The Kennedy Center: Little Dancer (Étoile), Reagle Music Theatre:Singin’ in the Rain (Girl in the Green Dress). Danced with Boston Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, & Suzanne Farrell Ballet. TRAINING: Washington Ballet & San Francisco Ballet. Love & thanks to Mom & family, MBaud, Marianne Wells, & CTG! @KEP1228
AMY QUANBECK (Swing, Dance Captain) grew up in Plymouth, MN and graduated from University of California, Irvine with her B.F.A. in Dance Performance. She’s excited to join Dirty Dancing! NYC: Then She Fell. National Tours: Wicked, Radio City’s Christmas Spectacular (Clara). Regional: West Side Story. Thanks to family, Jono, DDO and Laura Stanczyk! AmyQuanbeck.com
ADAM ROBERTS (Ensemble) was born into a musical family and started entertaining professionally at age 10. Broadway credits include: Pippin and Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark. Received his BFA from Coastal Carolina University and is tickled pink to be making his National Tour debut with the infamous Dirty Dancing.
JENNLEE SHALLOW (Elizabeth / Singer, Ensemble) A native of Trinidad & Tobago. The Lion King (Nala) Germany/Australia, Ragtime (Sarah) The Kennedy Center, and (Lead-Singer) in Cirque Du Soleil’s Viva Elvis Las Vegas and Franco Dragone’s Taboo Macau-China, including recent Nat’l Honeywell commercial starring John Slattery. www.jennleeshallow.com
PAUL VICTOR (Ensemble) Saturday Night Fever (Tony Manero, RCCL), Pop! with Anthony Rapp and Billy Porter (Ondine, Pgh City Theatre), Phantom (Oberon, PCLO). B.F.A. Musical Theatre, Point Park University. Thrilled to make his National Tour Debut with Dirty Dancing!
DEVAN WATRING (Ensemble) is ecstatic to make her national tour debut with Dirty Dancing! A native of Kansas City, MO, she studied at Oklahoma City University, and is a protégé of Robert L. Reed. TV: NBC’s “America’s Got Talent,” ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars.” Other Credits: Disney, Herschend Family Entertainment. A special thanks to Laura Stanczyk Casting. Endless love and gratitude to my Mom, Dad, Madi, Cory, Shari, Tom, and Phil for your unbelievable support. I’m having the time of my life!