The new cast of the smash hit stage musical Dirty Dancing, which comes to Wales Millennium Centre between 6 November and 1 December, has been announced along with an additional matinee performance.
American actress Jill Winternitz stars as idealistic Baby Houseman, the role taken in the film by Jennifer Grey, who discovers love and life in the summer she will never forget. Jill trained at RADA and her theatre credits include Ophelia in ‘Hamlet’ and The Prioress in ‘The Canterbury Tales’ (Queen Mary 2).
Nicky Griffiths will take on the role of Penny Johnson, having been a member of the Dirty Dancing touring company since the show opened in Bristol in September 2011. Her other credits include Lisa in ‘Mamma Mia!’ (Prince of Wales); Lou-Anne and understudy Amber Von-Tussle in the original London cast of ‘Hairspray’ (Shaftesbury); ‘Wicked’ (Apollo Victoria) and Grease (UK tour).
Paul-Michael Jones, who has attracted huge critical and public acclaim on the tour so far, will continue to star as Johnny Castle, in the role made famous around the world by Patrick Swayze in the 1987 smash hit movie. Paul-Michael trained at Laine Theatre Arts, graduating in 2007. His theatre credits include Eddie in ‘Mamma Mia!’ (Prince of Wales) and understudying and performing the roles of ‘Jake’ and ‘Adrian’ in Never Forget (UK tour).
James Coombes will appear as Dr. Jake Houseman, Julia Nagle as Marjorie Houseman, Emilia Williams as Lisa Houseman, Wayne Smith as Billy Kostecki, Michael Remick as Max Kellerman, Stefan Menaul as Neil Kellerman, Colin Charles as Tito Suarez and Tony Stansfield as Mr Schumacher.
Conrad Lynch, Artistic Director at Wales Millennium Centre said: “Dirty Dancing is an dazzling and iconic show that continues to thrill audiences around the country and we’re extremely pleased that it’s coming to The Centre this November”.
Due to popular demand an extra matinee performance has been added on Wednesday 21 November at 2.30pm.
Other members of the new company include: Lizzie Stavrou, Tara Verloop, Kate-Emma Portlock, Rosa O’Reilly, Lewis Davies, Callum Nicol, Adam Philpott, Will Tyler, Jenny Wickham, Rebecca Hodge, Vanessa Campbell, Faisal Khodabukus, Philip Marriott, Ben Harris and Jonathan Cordin.
The worldwide stage smash hit is set in the summer of 1963 as 17 year old Francis ‘Baby’ Houseman learns some major lessons about life. While on holiday in New York’s Catskill Mountains with her family, she gets bored with all the activities in the holiday resort and stumbles on an all-night dance party in the staff quarters.
Baby can’t wait to be part of the scene especially when she catches sight of resort dance instructor Johnny Castle. The two end up thrown together on and off stage with breathtaking consequences. The show features a host of hit songs including ‘Hungry Eyes’, ‘Do You Love Me’ and ‘I’ve Had The Time Of My Life’.
Since the UK tour opened in September 2011, demand for tickets for the show has been sensational, smashing box office records across the country and Dirty Dancing has been playing to packed houses in every city it visits.