Dirty Dancing Musical to Open on Broadway in February 2027

Key points

• The musical will open at the Lena Horne Theatre on February 12, 2027, with a gala celebration on March 14, 2027.
• The engagement is limited and will run through September 5, 2027.
• Lonny Price, who played Neil Kellerman in the 1987 film, is directing the production.
• Darrell Grand Moultrie is choreographing the show, which features a book by screenwriter Eleanor Bergstein.
• The cast includes Annalese Starzec as Baby Houseman and Blake Zelesnikar as Johnny Castle, both making their Broadway debuts.
• Producers include The Path Entertainment Group, Lionsgate, LD Entertainment, and Magic Hour Productions.

Background

The Lena Horne Theatre will host this production after the departure of 'Six: The Musical,' which closed its run in January 2027 after 2,178 performances. This marks the first time this specific stage adaptation of 'Dirty Dancing' will play on Broadway, as previous North American tours in 2006 and 2014 did not include a New York engagement. The film has previously been adapted for stage in Australia and London's West End, with revivals in 2013 and 2022.

How outlets are covering it

Playbill, Deadline, and Variety all confirm the February 12, 2027, opening date and the September 5, 2027, closing date for the limited engagement. Deadline emphasizes the film's commercial success, noting it grossed over $200 million worldwide and launched multi-platinum soundtracks, while also highlighting Lionsgate's broader strategy of adapting its library titles for the stage, including 'Now You See Me Live' and 'The Hunger Games: On Stage.' Playbill provides the most detailed casting list, noting that 21 of the 27 dancers and singers are making their Broadway debuts. Variety focuses on the creative team, specifically naming Lonny Price as a Tony Award nominee and two-time Emmy winner, and details the production's transition from the North American tour to Broadway. All three outlets agree on the core production details, including the venue, director, and choreographer, with no significant discrepancies in the reported facts.

Why it matters

The Broadway debut of 'Dirty Dancing: The Musical' marks a significant milestone for the 1987 film, which has been a cultural touchstone for four decades. The production's arrival at the Lena Horne Theatre, a venue that has hosted major hits like 'Six,' signals a strong commercial strategy by Lionsgate and its partners to capitalize on the film's enduring popularity. The timing, coinciding with the film's 40th anniversary, suggests a deliberate effort to re-engage audiences with the source material through a live theatrical experience. The involvement of Lonny Price, a former cast member of the film, adds a layer of authenticity and nostalgia that may appeal to both longtime fans and new theatergoers. This production also reflects a broader trend in the entertainment industry of adapting successful film franchises for the stage, as seen with Lionsgate's other projects like 'The Hunger Games: On Stage.'

What to watch

Ticket pre-sales for the Broadway run begin on October 8, 2026, at 10 AM ET, with general sales starting on October 9, 2026, via Broadway Direct. The production will continue its North American tour after the Broadway engagement, with stops in Detroit, West Palm Beach, Boston, and Toronto. An official press opening night will be announced at a later date, following the March 14, 2027, gala celebration. The tour will resume its national run after the Broadway engagement, and the production will likely continue to tour in the U.S. and possibly internationally, as previous iterations of the musical have done.