I had the time of my life, and I owe it all to… Broadway in Richmond and the cast of Dirty Dancing: The Musical.
This brand-new stage production of the 1987 hit movie has danced its way into just its fourth market with its visit to RVA, but the cast performed like they had been sharing the stage for years.
I hadn’t seen the movie since it first came out, but it all came right back to me as this rendition stayed true to the movie — in plot, characters (with a few new additions), costumes (and yes, I will be pulling my white Keds and jean shorts back out), and cleverly designed sets (I especially enjoyed the way the water scene was depicted).
A Familiar Story, With Some New Moves
The live band nailed all of those nostalgic songs from the movie, including “Hungry Eyes” and “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life,” sung not by the leads, but by terrific supporting actor Ethan Peterson. Ashley Lalonde, who you might recognize from Hamilton, also provided standout vocals, and when the two of them were on stage, it truly lit up.
Kudos to the casting team who couldn’t have found a more perfect actress to play the lead role of Frances “Baby” Houseman. Annalese Starzec is making her national touring debut with this role that was truly made for her, and she nailed it. Alongside her, Blake Zelesnikar played a superb Johnny Castle, with dance moves (and a body!) I could have watched all night. Olivia Cece shined as Penny Johnson, a complex role that she handled with ease. Bryan Fenkart, Gina Lamparella, and Lily Kren were terrific as Baby’s parents and sister, and the rest of the cast had the dance moves, vocal range, and acting chops to make this an all-around solid production.
Of course, the choreography was the star of the night, keeping the audience thoroughly entertained during the two-hour production with fast-paced dance numbers that showed off the cast’s talent.
The pace of the show was perfect, with no slow spots to remind me that I was out on a weeknight, and with the exception of Penny’s “trouble,” which was never expressly spelled out, I think this show would be enjoyed by teens and up.
Fans of the 1987 classic will find plenty of familiar moments to enjoy, while newcomers can experience the story with fresh eyes. Either way, expect a charming summer romance packed with music, dancing, family tensions, first love, and, naturally, a memorable finale on the dance floor.
Tickets can be purchased at broadwayinrichmond.com or altriatheater.com (make sure you’re on those pages only, there are a ton of third-party ticketing sites out there), and the show runs through Sunday, September 27.
