Auckland - Get Ready For The Time Of Your Life

26 January 2005

Auckland - Get Ready For The Time Of Your Life!

Jacobsen Entertainment in association with Lions Gate Films and Magic Hour Productions are delighted to present the New Zealand premiere of Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story on Stage written by Eleanor Bergstein, the script writer and co-producer of the hugely successful movie Dirty Dancing.

The highly anticipated production will explode on to Auckland’s The Civic at The Edge theatre stage with all the energy, enthusiasm, exciting dance sequences and characters that made the film a classic.

This dramatic story draws the audience in with its big hits from the movie and of course the dancing which sizzles on stage with choreography to passionate Latin rhythms and rock music.

Dirty Dancing is a memorable story and has proven, through successful seasons in Sydney and Melbourne, that it will be an unforgettable night at the theatre.

Producer Kevin Jacobsen said, “The production has remained true to the classic film, incorporating all the great songs and fabulous dance routines, as well as adding new scenes, which were written especially for the stage by creator Eleanor Bergstein. The modern, new look, high-tech set and fantastic music, together with our brilliant cast, has created a hit show. Standing ovations at every show ensures audiences are leaving the theatre on a high!”

Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story on Stage features the sensational Kym Valentine from TV’s Neighbours starring as the sheltered teen Frances “Baby” Houseman who, while on vacation with her parents, learns about love in the hands of sexy, handsome and charismatic dance instructor, Johnny Castle, played by Josef Brown, former lead dancer with the Sydney Dance Company.

Other cast members include Ronne Arnold, Helen Buday, Tony Cogin, Russell Newman, Leonie Page, Lance Strauss, Nadia Coote, Lelda Kapsis, Ernie Bourne, Andrew Broadbent, and Ben Mingay.

Audiences will be treated to a spectacular show featuring many of the songs they know and love including the smash hit “Hungry Eyes” and the Academy Award winning, “Time of My Life.”

THE MOVIE

The film, made on a shoestring budget of five million dollars, went on to become a worldwide hit at the box office and was ranked as the fifth highest grossing film of 1987.

It generated two multi-platinum soundtracks that sold over 39 million copies…and still counting, and the song “Time of My Life” won the Academy Award for Best Song the year the film was released. The movie reinvented the dance genre introducing a new style of erotically charged, partner dancing to the world.

Dirty Dancing touched the hearts of audiences when they first saw the film. They felt part of the sensuous world unfolding before them, depicted during the summer of 1963 – before President Kennedy was shot, before the Beatles exploded onto the music scene and when you couldn’t separate a song lyric or melody from what was happening in your head and in your heart. It was a time of innocence.

Often asked how much the film comes from her real life, Eleanor Bergstein answers, “It is all there, but in bits and pieces. I wanted to change the world. I worked my way through university teaching ballroom dancing at the Arthur Murray Dance Studios – there is more of Johnny than Baby in me”

THE TEAM

The international creative team is headed by American Writer and Creator Eleanor Bergstein and English Director Mark Wing-Davey. Added to this duo is a phenomenal array of Australian creative talent including Choreographer – Kate Champion, Musical Supervisor – Chong Lim, Lighting Designer – Nigel Levings, Costume Designer – Jennifer Irwin, Set Designer – Richard Roberts and Musical Director – Conrad Helfrich.

REVIEWS

Since opening in late 2004, Dirty Dancing has received a rapturous response from both the public and critics alike. The Sydney Morning Herald (20/11/04) said, “Top talent in time of their lives”, …. “Dirty Dancing is good fun with no shortage of talent and feelgood tunes to power it along.” The Australian (23/11/04) said “Valentine, as Baby, is cute and lively and she plays the ingénue superbly,” and Variety (29/11/04) claimed “Show’s cast is impeccable.” The Age (17/6/05) said “Brown not only sizzles in an aura of testosterone, he outdances the film’s Patrick Swayze from his first swagger.”

SHOW DETAILS

TICKETS ON SALE TUESDAY 25th OCTOBER 2005

VENUE: The Civic at THE EDGE, Auckland

WHEN: FROM WEDNESDAY MARCH 29th 2006

TIMES: Wednesday – Saturday at 8.00pm, Sunday 6.30pm
Matinees – Wednesday 1.00pm, Saturday 2pm, Sunday 1.00pm

PRICES: Wednesday – Thursday at 8.00pm
A Reserve $90.00 B Reserve $75.00
Concession $70.00 Child $70.00

Friday & Saturday at 8.00pm
Premium $110.00
A Reserve $95.00 B Reserve $85.00

Wednesday Matinee 1.00pm
A Reserve $75.00 B Reserve $65.00
Concession $60.00 Child $60.00

Saturday at 2.00 pm, Sunday at 1.00pm and 6.30pm
A Reserve $95.00 B Reserve $75.00
Concession $70.00 Child $70.00

BOOKINGS: TICKETEK on 09 307 5000 or www.ticketek.com

GROUPS: Groups (8 or more) on 09 307 5058

WEBSITE: www.dirtydancing.com.au

ENDS

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