Lonny Price directing new DIRTY DANCING stage musical aimed for Broadway

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

And call Jennifer Grey for Mrs. Houseman.

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.

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

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...

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".

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

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

 

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

 

have you seen any other ones

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.

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.

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

https://deadline.com/2026/02/dirty-dancing-musical-tour-1236707986/