Stars of the current touring production of Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage, Jill Winternitz and Paul-Michael Jones, will reprise their roles as the show’s leading duo when the production returns to the West End this summer.
American actress Winternitz, who will continue in the iconic role of Frances ‘Baby’ Houseman, trained at RADA before going on to perform in productions including Hamlet, The Seagull and Sunday In The Park With George in the States.
Reprising his role as Johnny Castle – the character made famous by Patrick Swayze in the hit 1987 film – Jones’ West End credits prior to the UK tour of Dirty Dancing, which he joined in 2011, include Mamma Mia! at the Prince of Wales theatre and the European tour of Fame – The Musical.
The duo will be joined in the London production by another touring cast member Charlotte Gooch, who will reprise the role of Penny Johnson. The actress, who was last seen on the West End stage in the Olivier Award-winning production of Top Hat, has previously appeared in tours of Grease and Cats.
Playing from 13 July at the Piccadilly theatre, Dirty Dancing tells the story of 17-year-old Baby whose life changes forever when she meets dance instructor Jonny and is thrown into the deep end as his leading lady both on and off stage with breathtaking consequences.
Featuring all the much-loved characters and original dialogue from the hugely popular film as well as additional scenes, the musical boasts tantalising dance sequences and brand new choreography set to an iconic soundtrack including hit tunes Hungry Eyes, Do You Love Me? and (I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life.
Dirty Dancing, which is currently booking to 22 February, will open at the current home of Spice Girls musical Viva Forever! following the Jennifer Saunders-penned musical’s early closure on 29 June.