Dirty Dancing Musical to Open on Broadway in February 2027

Key points

• The musical opens at the Lena Horne Theatre on February 12, 2027, with a gala on March 14 and closes on September 5, 2027.
• Lonny Price, who played Neil Kellerman in the 1987 film, directs the production; Darrell Grand Moultrie handles choreography.
• Annalese Starzec plays Baby Houseman and Blake Zelesnikar plays Johnny Castle, both making their Broadway debuts.
• The show features songs from the film, including '(I've Had) The Time of My Life' and 'Hungry Eyes,' with a book by original screenwriter Eleanor Bergstein.
• Lionsgate is a producer, alongside The Path Entertainment Group, LD Entertainment, and Magic Hour Productions.
• The production follows a North American tour that included stops in Detroit, West Palm Beach, Boston, and Toronto.

Background

The 1987 film 'Dirty Dancing' remains a significant library title for Lionsgate, which is also developing a sequel starring Jennifer Grey. The studio is currently producing other screen-to-stage projects, including 'Now You See Me Live' and 'The Hunger Games: On Stage.' The current Broadway season features a mix of revivals and new works, as noted in recent fall theater previews, but 'Dirty Dancing' is the first major 1980s romance film adaptation to reach Broadway in this specific musical format.

How outlets are covering it

Deadline and amNewYork provide detailed production credits, including the full creative team and cast details, emphasizing the debut of the lead actors and the involvement of Lionsgate. The New York Times highlights the history of the musical, noting that previous versions toured for over two decades with mixed critical reception but strong audience turnout, and that the current version was overhauled last year to receive better notices. Yahoo's coverage is minimal, focusing primarily on the announcement of the Broadway move without additional analysis. All sources agree on the opening date, venue, and key creative personnel, but The New York Times offers the most context on the show's prior reception and evolution.

Why it matters

The Broadway debut of 'Dirty Dancing' signals a continued trend of adapting popular 1980s films into stage musicals, leveraging nostalgia and existing soundtracks. It also highlights Lionsgate's strategy in diversifying its revenue through stage adaptations of its library titles, alongside other projects like 'La La Land' and 'The Housemaid.' The success of the tour suggests strong audience demand for this specific adaptation, which could influence future licensing decisions for other classic films.

What to watch

The production will begin performances on February 12, 2027, with a gala on March 14. An official press opening night will be announced later. Following the Broadway run, the tour will resume its national run. Lionsgate is also developing a 'Dirty Dancing' sequel starring Jennifer Grey, which could further boost interest in the franchise.