When the curtain rises on Dirty Dancing at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts on August 12, audiences won’t simply be seeing a beloved story come to life, they’ll be the first to receive the musical’s new national tour.
Running through September 6, the production opens its tour in St. Paul before traveling across the country, making Minnesota the starting point for a show built around music, dancing and romance.
Based on the classic 1980s film starring Patrick Swaze and Jennifer Garner, Dirty Dancing follows Frances “Baby” Houseman as she falls for charismatic dance instructor Johnny Castle while staying at Kellerman’s resort with her family. The stage production features live performances of songs made famous by the original film, energetic choreography, and a story of forbidden romance.
For cast member Ashley LaLonde, who plays Elizabeth, the only new character added to the musical, beginning the tour in Minnesota has a special meaning.
“Opening the tour in St. Paul is a huge blessing,” LaLonde said. “My parents are high school sweethearts from the Twin Cities, so my entire extended family is here. Even though I’m a native New Yorker, I’m really a Minnesotan at heart.”
While she has family connections to the state, LaLonde has never performed professionally in Minnesota. And although the production opens in St. Paul, rehearsals have taken place entirely in New York. The company won’t step onto the Ordway stage until just one day before opening night. Even so, LaLonde said the excitement outweighs any opening night nerves.
“Theres always some nerves and a whole lot of excitement bringing a production to life,” she said. “It’s extra special to bring Dirty Dancing to audiences around the country, as it’s such a beloved story already.”
LaLonde received the role after months of auditions and callbacks in New York City.
“I got the audition through my agents,” she says. “There were several months of callbacks, lots of singing and dancing. I honestly didn’t think I’d get the role because there were so many talented Broadway actors also up for it.”
When the offer finally came, she was stunned.
“I couldn’t believe it,” she said. “After the shock came the excitement. It definitely feels meant to be.”
Elizabeth is special to the stage adaptation, serving as the musical’s narrator and introducing audiences to the story while performing several of its most iconic songs. As rehearsals have continued, LaLonde said the creative team has encouraged the cast to add shape to the production.
“Thats the beauty of doing a new musical,” she said. “We’re invited into the creative process as collaborators. They’re building the role around you while looking at tweaks to the script, songs, and choreography.”
One rehearsal memory stands out from the time the cast has been practicing, which is filming a promotional performance of “Do You Love Me.”
“It felt like a music video,” LaLonde said. “It was the first time we all fully leaned into the story. It’s the moment where Baby meets Johnny for the first time, and it’s a blast of a song to perform.”
LaLonde extends a simple suggestion to anyone contemplating whether to watch the story again or experience it for the first time.
“Come have the time of your life at Kellerman’s,” she said. “I can guarantee it will be a fun time out, and you’ll leave singing, dancing, and more in love. This is a feel-good show that has something for everyone.”
If you go:
Dirty Dancing runs August 12 through September 6 at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in St. Paul. Tickets are available at Ordway.org or through the Ordway Ticket Office.
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