Photo by Matthew Murphy
Since its electric 1987 debut, “Dirty Dancing” has remained a cornerstone of pop culture. Now kicking off its dazzling national tour at the Ordway through September 6, this new stage musical interpretation pulses with breathless choreography and undeniable drama. Helmed with sharp theatrical flair by original film star Lonny Price (the beloved Neil Kellerman), the production proves that although set in the summer of 1963, its themes of class, female autonomy, and coming of age remain strikingly modern. At its beating heart, it is a timeless, rhythm-fueled celebration of family, courage, and finding love.
In case you have somehow managed to live under a rock for the last 39 years, here is the rundown: it is the summer of 1963, and the Houseman family arrives for a Catskills retreat at Kellerman’s Resort, only for wide-eyed, socially conscious Frances “Baby” Houseman to wander into the staff quarters and have her world upended by working-class dance instructor Johnny Castle. Tremendous credit belongs to the producers for keeping original screenwriter and book writer Eleanor Bergstein as the guiding light. Under her watchful eye, this stage production remains fiercely loyal to the source material, faithfully serving up every quotable barb, watermelon reference, and iconic silhouette permanently etched into our collective consciousness.
But where other screen-to-stage adaptations stumble and fall flat (the forced, clunky musicalizations of “Mrs. Doubtfire” and “Tootsie” come to mind), “Dirty Dancing” succeeds because the music was already in the story’s DNA. Wisely, this adaptation avoids the trap of having the principal lovers awkwardly singing exposition into each other’s faces. Instead, the legendary soundtrack functions as atmospheric underscoring and pure mood-setting; the soaring vocals often emanate from ensemble singers seamlessly woven into the resort’s fabric, creating moments where it is difficult to tell precisely who is delighting us with the live vocals. They simply float through the summer air like sweet, intoxicating radio static.
Far more than mere doppelgängers, Annalese Starzec and Blake Zelesnikar tackle the monumental roles of Baby and Johnny with genuine dramatic authenticity, an energy that dials up to a fever pitch the instant the rhythm drops. While the show may lack a singular title anthem, these two undeniably put the “dirty” in “Dirty Dancing,” radiating a raw chemistry across the floor.
Matthew Murphy
Yet the supporting ensemble truly breathes vibrant life into the sprawling world of Kellerman’s. Rounding out the Houseman clan, Bryan Fenkart and Gina Lamparella as the parents, alongside Lily Kren as the self-absorbed sister Lisa, construct a rich, recognizable family unit that instinctively knows when to rally together and protect its own. Each actor gets a distinct, resonant moment that deepens their character beyond broad stereotype and cements the emotional stakes. Kren turns the resort talent show into an unforgettable moment; her delightfully off-key, high-camp performance delivers every ounce of the craveable cringe we eagerly anticipate from her Hawaiian hula routine.
Ethan Peterson emerges as a standout of the evening as the lovable resort insider Billy Kostecki, anchoring his scenes with some of the richest, most arresting vocals in the production while injecting surprisingly heartfelt emotional depth into his character. Yet it is Olivia Cece’s performance as Penny Johnson that hits the hardest. Cece brings a rare mix of technical dance mastery and dramatic talent, seamlessly navigating Penny from the syncopation of the mambo to the devastating reality of tragic tears. She infuses her storytelling with a striking, grounded vulnerability rarely seen on the musical theater stage, elevating every scene she touches.
The entire company delivers impeccably on every rhythmic demand from choreographer Darrell Grand Moultrie. From the stiff, hesitant awkwardness of early beginner classes to the soaring triumph of that iconic lift, Moultrie brings the cinematic magic of the screen to the stage with an electrifying pulse. His work brilliantly blends classic golden-age Broadway showmanship, sultry ballroom precision, and the vivid, kinetic energy of modern pop video choreography.
Photo by Matthew Murphy
The scenic design conjures its own distinct brand of filmic wonder, with sets and visuals that glide by and fade in as seamlessly as a night at the movies. The digital projections serve a real narrative purpose by grounding place and emotional temperature. Rather than serving as superficial digital wallpaper, they operate as natural, atmospheric extensions of the sunlit woods, secluded cabins, and that iconic lodge we yearn to inhabit at Kellerman’s.
Price helms this national tour debut with a calibrated touch, honoring the legacy of the original film while ensuring every scene lands with immediacy for a contemporary theater audience. Price instinctively understands how to give the crowd what they crave while slipping in the emotional depth and social resonance they need.
“Dirty Dancing: The Musical” at the Ordway delivers everything the audience had arrived hoping for. I found myself smiling throughout and even swaying in my seat to the infectious rhythm. Best of all, I overheard so many fellow patrons say this was their first visit to the Ordway or their long-awaited return to live theater after years away. We need vibrant, welcoming productions like this to remind us of the communal power of stagecraft, proving that a story can still captivate our collective imagination even when we already know every line by heart. I challenge my readers to seek out the daring new works you have never heard of, but never underestimate the pure magic of surrendering to the classics you can hum along to from the very first beat.
