The final cast has now been revealed for Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story on Stage, which will return to Milton Keynes Theatre from 25 August 2026 before embarking on a UK and Ireland tour through to summer 2027.
Packed with unforgettable music, emotional storytelling and spectacular dance routines, the acclaimed stage production brings the much-loved film to life for audiences once again.
Joining Joel Benjamin as Johnny Castle, Charlie Varlet as Frances 'Baby' Houseman and Ellie Fergusson as Penny Johnson are Lynden Edwards (Dr Jake Houseman), Taryn Sudding (Marjorie Houseman), Duncan Smith (Max Kellerman), Robert Grose (Tito Suarez), India Chadwick (Lisa Houseman), Asher Forth (Billy Kostecki), Cormac Diamond (Neil Kellerman), Matthew Lloyd Davies (Mr Schumacher) and Mimi Rodrigues-Alves (Elizabeth).
The company is completed by Ayron Campbell, Danielle Cato (Vivian/Ensemble), Anna Cliff, Ellie Cutler, Alexander Emery (Robbie/Ensemble), Sam Harvey (Moe/Ensemble), Danielle Huntley, Hollie-Ann Lowe, Max Mulrenan, Rowen Newsome, Mason Plews, Harvey Ray, Sienna Walker and Jody Zimmerman.
For the 2026/27 tour, the Kellerman's Band will feature Laura Andresen Guimaraes, Gabriel Askew, Tim Edwards, Kevin Oliver Jones and Tim Wade.
The production is directed by Federico Bellone, with choreography by Austin Wilks.
Seen by millions around the world, the smash-hit musical tells the timeless story of Baby and Johnny – two fiercely independent young people from very different backgrounds whose lives are changed forever during one unforgettable summer.
Featuring the hit songs 'Hungry Eyes', 'Hey! Baby', 'Do You Love Me?' and the heart-stopping '(I've Had) The Time of My Life', the iconic production returns to the stage, opening at Milton Keynes Theatre before touring across the UK and Ireland.
About Dirty Dancing
Dirty Dancing has become a global cultural phenomenon since the release of the iconic 1987 film. The movie grossed more than $214 million worldwide and launched two multi-platinum soundtrack albums, numerous number one singles, an Academy Award® for Best Original Song and a Grammy® Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.
The franchise has since expanded to include a television series, reality competition shows, a prequel film, an internationally successful stage production, a made-for-television musical adaptation and an upcoming Lionsgate sequel. The original film also remains one of Lionsgate's best-selling library titles.
The stage production, written by Eleanor Bergstein – who also wrote the original screenplay – features the much-loved characters and original dialogue from the iconic film directed by Emile Ardolino and starring Patrick Swayze, Jennifer Grey, Jerry Orbach, Cynthia Rhodes and Kelly Bishop.
Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story on Stage originally opened at London's Aldwych Theatre in 2006 with a record-breaking £15 million advance, becoming the fastest-selling show in West End history. During its five-year run, it became the longest-running production at the Aldwych Theatre and was seen by more than two million people.
