John Frost brings Dirty Dancing to Adelaide

John Frost
Producer John Frost. Image by Justine Walpole

Prominent Australian theatre producer John Frost has announced that his new production of the iconic musical Dirty Dancing will be heading to his own hometown of Adelaide in September for a strictly limited season.

Following its world premiere in Sydney ten years ago, the worldwide hit show returned to Australia in 2014 with a season at the Sydney Lyric Theatre. This production is currently entertaining audiences at Melbourne’s Princess Theatre, before heading to Brisbane’s Lyric Theatre and Perth’s Crown Theatre and arrives at the Adelaide Festival Theatre on 30 September. Dirty Dancing is an exciting and high-energy ‘feel good’ phenomenon that captures all the best moments of the classic 1987 movie. Tickets for the show have been in high demand interstate, and Adelaide audiences can now register on a waitlist for priority bookings at dirtydancingaustralia.com

The role of charismatic dance teacher Johnny Castle is played by Kurt Phelan while the role of innocent Frances “Baby” Houseman is played by Kirby Burgess – two extraordinary young talents who have made the leap from chorus-line to principles as the main characters in Dirty Dancing. Phelan, a NIDA graduate, is an actor, choreographer and writer. His musical theatre credits include Singin’ in the Rain, Saturday Night Fever and Priscilla Queen of the Desert. Burgess has been seen on stage in Sweet Charity, Hairspray, High School Musical – Live on Stage and on national television in Wonderland.

Mr Frost stated “I’m thrilled to bring this wonderful new production of Dirty Dancing to Adelaide for the first time ever. The stage musical gives audiences the chance to hear the songs from the hit film performed live and to experience the breathtaking dance routines. People have flocked to it, breaking records all around the world. Now, it returns home to Australia where the magic began with a sensational new cast, and audiences can again have the “Time Of Their Lives”.”

For those unacquainted with the synopsis – it’s the summer of 1963, and 17-year-old “Baby” Houseman is about to learn some major lessons in life as well as a thing or two about dancing. On holiday in New York’s Catskill Mountains with her older sister and parents, Baby shows little interest in the resort activities, and instead discovers her own entertainment when she stumbles upon the staff quarters as an all-night dance party is in full swing. Mesmerised by the raunchy dance moves and the pounding rhythms, Baby can’t wait to be part of the scene, especially when she catches sight of Johnny Castle the resort dance instructor. Baby’s life is about to change forever as she is thrown in at the deep end as Johnny’s leading lady both on-stage and off with breathtaking consequences.
Featuring hit songs including ‘Hungry Eyes’, ‘Hey! Baby, Do You Love Me?’ and the number 1 hit ‘(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life’, Dirty Dancing has become one of the most successful musical productions of all time.

Ticket prices start at $59.90 plus booking fees. Contact BASS or go to dirtydancingaustralia.com for more information on the waiting list and ticket sales.

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