Lonny Price directing new DIRTY DANCING stage musical aimed for Broadway

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 10/17/24 at 10:05am

https://playbill.com/article/lonny-price-directing-dirty-dancing-stage-musical-aimed-at-broadway

A stage musical of the 1987 film Dirty Dancing is eyeing Broadway once again, this time with Tony nominee Lonny Price, who acted in the original film, at the helm. Producers Lionsgate and The Path Entertainment Group (via their stage banner Showpath) say the new production will launch in late 2025 with a major run in North America, followed by an international roll-out. Further details are to be announced.

The film first came to the stage in 2004 with an Australian production that used the songs from the film and a script by the title's screenwriter, Eleanor Bergstein. The musical played a five-year run in London's West End beginning in 2006, getting revivals in 2013 and 2022.

Broadway has proved more elusive. A North American mini-tour, publicized as "pre-Broadway," was launched in 2006, playing Toronto, Chicago, Boston, and Los Angeles. A full North American tour embarked in 2014.

It remains unclear how this upcoming production will compare to the earlier stagings, none of which were directed by Price. Bergstein is still attached, and says this version will be "reimagined" in a press statement. Press notes also tease "new choreography and staging concepts, and perhaps even some new songs."

Updated On: 10/17/24 at 10:05 AM

[WldKingdomHM]

Posted: 10/17/24 at 10:12am

Call Austin Colby for Johnny 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 10/17/24 at 10:14am

And call Jennifer Grey for Mrs. Houseman.

[BwayLB]

Posted: 10/17/24 at 11:15am

This better not be a joke! Because it sounds exciting

[ACL2006]

Posted: 10/17/24 at 12:06pm

The first stage production of this was a bomb. Literally a 5 piece band sat on stage for entire show. Even the big finale was poorly put together and choreographed. Hopefully Lonny Price can make this work.

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 10/17/24 at 12:08pm

I saw the production when it toured and found it to be a snooze.  Granted, I didn't know the movie so I don't know if it would play better to those who were fans but there was just nothing interesting about it

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 10/17/24 at 12:36pm

ACL2006 said: "The first stage production of this was a bomb. Literally a 5 piece band sat on stage for entire show. Even the big finale was poorly put together and choreographed. Hopefully Lonny Price can make this work."

Lonny isn't exactly a visionary director, nor does he have much experience with big musicals that aren't concerts. But Jerry Mitchell and Casey Nicholaw and the Michaels Mayer & Greif can't do everything.

Updated On: 10/17/24 at 12:36 PM

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 10/17/24 at 1:54pm

There’s a reason why this was such a success in the west end and touring markets, because they crave trash.

[GottaGetAGimmick420]

Posted: 10/17/24 at 2:09pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "ACL2006 said: "The first stage production of this was a bomb. Literally a 5 piece band sat on stage for entire show. Even the big finale was poorly put together and choreographed. Hopefully Lonny Price can make this work."

Lonny isn't exactly a visionary director, nor does he have much experience with big musicals that aren't concerts. But Jerry Mitchell and Casey Nicholaw and the Michaels Mayer & Greif can't do everything."

Everything I've seen from Lonny recently has been dreadful, like Beaches. Not sure he'll be doing this production any favors...

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 10/17/24 at 2:22pm

They better rework this thing from top to bottom because I saw that touring production a bunch of years ago and to this day, it remains one of the most atrocious pieces of garbage I have ever seen on any stage.

[TheatreMonkey]

Posted: 10/17/24 at 2:24pm

Call_me_jorge said: "There’s a reason why this was such a success in the west end and touring markets, because they crave trash."

Ah, yes. That trope that those in the "far-flung provinces" have no taste. Just because something sold, doesn't mean it was enjoyed -- and if this particular property was such a success, why is it being overhauled years after first premiering? (I also don't recall it doing so well, but that just may be me.)

Regardless, touring venues and promoters may think they know what their audiences want -- but it certainly isn't that audiences "crave trash".

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 10/17/24 at 3:26pm

Matt Rogers said: "They better rework this thing from top to bottom because I saw that touring production a bunch of years ago and to this day, it remains one of the most atrocious pieces of garbage I have ever seen on any stage."

From top to bottom and side to side. This needs an entire overhaul away from what is currently “Dirty Dancing The Musical”. The film is in my top five favorites from the first time I saw it in the theater. When I came out to my Mom she said “Well duh. You knew every word to Dirty Dancing by the time you were 8”.
 

But sadly this is the kind of property they’re going to target to drunk bachelorette parties like how “Pretty Woman” was, so quality isn’t something they’re really going to focus on.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 1/5/26 at 8:59pm

According to Broadwayworld there is an audition notice for an equity touring production set to launch in August 2026.

[WldKingdomHM]

Posted: 1/5/26 at 9:01pm

My fav film !! Let’s go

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 1/5/26 at 9:14pm

Is this our first (not yet confirmed) new musical of the 2026-27 Broadway season?

 

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 1/5/26 at 9:21pm

EDSOSLO858 said: "Is this our first (not yet confirmed) new musical of the 2026-27 Broadway season?

"

Hopefully not. It is pure trash. 

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 1/5/26 at 9:49pm

WldKingdomHM said: "My fav film !! Let’s go"

 

have you seen any other ones

[ACL2006]

Posted: 1/6/26 at 8:31am

EDSOSLO858 said: "Is this our first (not yet confirmed) new musical of the 2026-27 Broadway season?

"

It's touring first. The only way this doesn't flop, if it arrives on Broadway, is that they need to rework everything.

[TheGingerBreadMan]

Posted: 1/6/26 at 8:59am

The 2014 tour was absolutely dreadful in every imaginable way. I would love for this to work but have little hope. Especially with this director attached.

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 1/6/26 at 9:04am

I saw the Toronto production back in 2008. It wasn't great. It seemed to be the screenplay on stage. If remember correctly too, the band was small (as someone else pointed out), but I also remember many of the numbers were prerecorded, and there were only a couple that were sung live (including "I Had the Time of My Life". I don't believe either Johnny or baby actually sang. 

It was almost a play with music 

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 1/6/26 at 12:08pm

This will be a new musical adaptation right? This is not the previous stage version which was essentially a play with music as others have described? But I’m assuming it’s largely or entirely a jukebox musical because I don’t see any mention of a composer or songwriters at the moment.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 1/6/26 at 12:19pm

EDSOSLO858 said: "Is this our first (not yet confirmed) new musical of the 2026-27 Broadway season?

The audition is for a tour, so no. Every version of this show has sucked in several different countries, so I doubt there's a path to Broadway that's successful and lucrative.

 

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 1/6/26 at 12:19pm

I saw the tour in DC and walked out during intermission. It was pure garbage.

[blug]

Posted: 1/6/26 at 2:15pm

Okay.  Sure.  Next.