Dirty Dancing to Be Adapted as Stage Musical

Lionsgate has partnered with The Path Entertainment Group’s live stage arm Showpath to adapt Dirty Dancing into a stage musical for Broadway.

Eleanor Bergstein, writer of the original film, is working with the companies to develop the new musical, and Lonny Price, who played Neil Kellerman in the movie, will direct the stage production. Dirty Dancing: The Musical is set to launch in late 2025 with a major run in North America.

After that, it is set for a major global rollout, with plans to expand to theater markets in Asia, Australia, Latin America and beyond.

The musical will bring a fresh creative approach to the love story that captured millions around the world when it debuted in 1987. Set against the backdrop of the summer of 1963, Dirty Dancing follows the journey of Frances “Baby” Houseman and dance instructor Johnny Castle as they navigate love, passion and personal growth.

“In the years after I wrote and co-produced the original film Dirty Dancing, I was grateful and astonished by the generations of audiences who responded with open hearts to the themes of honor and courage beneath the surface,” Bergstein said. “Years later, sensing our audiences wanted to ‘be there’ while the story was happening, I wrote and co-produced a stage show. Its reception all over the world exceeded my sweetest dreams. Now we’ve come full circle, and with my old friend Lonny Price by my side, I’m returning to the stage with a reimagined version. Its hope is to be equal to the new world swirling around us while revisiting more fully and precisely the story I’d wanted to tell when I wrote my first lines. It’s my way of saying thank you to you all.”

“I am beyond excited be reunited with Eleanor and to join her in bringing this expanded Dirty Dancing to the stage,” Price commented. “For the people who already love the movie, they will get a deeper, more nuanced version of the characters they fell in love with. Having played Neil in the movie, I know full well the scores of people who have been touched by this story, and for me to return to Kellerman’s and direct this new musical iteration truly is a thrill.”

David Hutchinson, CEO of The Path Entertainment Group, and Nathan Brine, director of live stage productions for Showpath Entertainment, said, “We are absolutely delighted to work with Lionsgate and Eleanor Bergstein on this incredible production. Dirty Dancing is a cultural touchstone, and we’re honored to be part of its evolution. We’re confident that this new version will surprise and captivate audiences, whether they’re longtime fans or new to the story, in this thrilling and faithful retelling on stage.”

“Dirty Dancing continues to be one of the most enduring and impactful titles in Lionsgate’s library,” added Jenefer Brown, executive VP and head of global products and experiences at Lionsgate. “The important truths and themes present in Dirty Dancing are as relevant today as they were in 1987. We’re thrilled to create a live experience that honors the cultural significance and storytelling magic of the original film while inviting a new generation to fall in love with Dirty Dancing.”