Dirty Dancing at Cincy Broadway

“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!”

My sweet friend Joy couldn’t wait to see Dirty Dancing when it came to our fair city!  She and her husband went and had the time of their lives!  (See what I did there.)  😉  She’s got the goods on show for us.  Did it live up to her expectations?   Was it as good as seeing the movie 100 times?

Take it away Joy.

The Closest I have felt to Broadway in a long time!

Dirty Dancing-The Classic Story has been brought to life on the stage at Cincinnati’s Aronoff Center. When I think of Broadway I think bright lights, singing, dancing, live music, and shows that exceed our wildest dreams.  Well, I left the Aronoff Center feeling in awe, energized, tearful, giddy, and in love once again with Dirty Dancing and feeling like I was on Broadway. 

Being one who has seen the movie over 100 times, like many, I prepared myself that there might be bits and pieces cut when changed for theatre.  By the end of the night I could certainly say there was not a favorite line left unsaid or a classic song not sung.  I had to restrain myself quite a few times from belting them out myself.  Like “I carried a watermelon” or “I am afraid of leaving here and never feeling like I do when I am with you” then of course “No one puts Baby in the Corner.”

Even the use of the stage to create each scene was so imaginative that at times you had to laugh because you knew your brain was being tricked.  Yet it worked wonderfully and pulled you in even closer to feeling like you were there.

Jillian Mueller (Baby) and Samuel Pergande (Johnny) in the North American tour of DIRTY DANCING –THE CLASSIC STORY ON STAGE. (Photo by Matthew Murphy)

One of the highlights of the night for me was discovering the live Orchestra that would play the music all night!  Certainly an important part of Broadway, but also a central part to the music played at The Kellerman Resort. It was so cleverly placed so it didn’t distract from the main stage but made you feel like you too were a guest there in the crowd.  The voices of Tito Suarez (Jerome Harmann-Hardman) and Dirty Dancer (Jenlee Shallow) were phenomenal when they did solos and duets.

Samuel Pergande (Johnny) and the company of the North American tour of DIRTY DANCING – THE CLASSIC STORY ON STAGE. (Photo by Matthew Murphy)

The casting of Johnny Castle (Samuel Pergande) and Jillian Mueller (Francis “Baby” Houseman) were so similar in looks to Swayze and Grey.  You get the feeling of opposites attracting and “Baby’s” awkward introduction to the dance scene.   I would certainly encourage everyone to grab your friend or even man in your life and go see this classic while is in town.  This is a love story everyone can appreciate no matter what age or sex.  My husband and I used it as a date night and even he surprised me by knowing some of the scenes like “this is my dance space” which we acted out prior to the show.  

Samuel Pergande (Johnny) and Jillian Mueller (Baby) in the North American tour of DIRTY DANCING –THE CLASSIC STORY ON STAGE. (Photo by Matthew Murphy)

Don’t miss this stunning new production!

Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage will play the Aronoff Center from September 23 – October 5: Tuesday – Thursday at 7:30PM, Friday at 8:00PM, Saturday at 2:00PM and 8:00PM and Sunday at 1:00PM and 6:30PM.

Tickets for Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage start at $29. They are available at the Aronoff Center Box Office downtown at 650 Walnut Street, online at CincinnatiArts.org or by phone at 513.621.ARTS.

For groups of 10 or more, contact the group sales department at 513.369.4363. Performance schedule, prices and cast are subject to change without notice.

For more information, please visit www.BroadwayInCincinnati.com.

Disclosure:  I was given complimentary tickets for review and promotion purposes.  All opinions are my own.