Tours To You

Cast Announced for ‘Dirty Dancing’ North American Tour

Matthew Herzog

The Path Entertainment Group, Lionsgate, and Magic Hour Productions are thrilled to announce the full cast for the North American Tour of Dirty Dancing: The Musical — a new stage production based on the beloved film Dirty Dancing.

Making her national tour debut is Georgia native Annalese Starzec in the leading role of Frances “Baby” Houseman. She stars alongside Blake Zelesnikar (An American in Paris, Mean Girls, The Phantom of the Opera), who steps into the formidable shoes of Johnny Castle, Baby’s dance instructor-turned-love interest. They will be joined at Kellerman’s by Olivia Cece as Penny Johnson; Bryan Fenkart as Jake Houseman; Dan Klimko as Neil Kellerman; Ashley LaLonde as Elizabeth; Gina Lamparella as Marjorie Houseman; Loren Lester as Max Kellerman; Ethan Peterson as Billy Kostecki; and Erick Pinnick as Tito Suarez. Rounding out the company are Emma Jade Branson, Marcus Anthony Byers, Jr., Jonas Cohen, Sarah Ellis, Aria Christina Evans, Anthony J. Gasbarre III, Lily Kren, Zoe Edan Lemelman, Francesca Mancuso, Brett Rawlings, Jason Richards, Antony Sanchez, Grace Sautter, Neil Starkenberg, Fisher Lane Stewart, John Swapshire and Carmella Taitt.

Set against the unforgettable summer of 1963, Dirty Dancing: The Musical follows Frances “Baby” Houseman as she discovers love, passion, and independence through her relationship with charismatic dance instructor Johnny Castle. With live music from the original film, Dirty Dancing: The Musical is the feel-good escape audiences have been craving, alive with the pulse of electrified dancing, the thrill of secret encounters, and the allure of forbidden romance.

The tour will launch at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in Saint Paul, MN in August. The full tour route, casting, and ticket information are available at DDMusical.com.

Biographies

ANNALESE STARZEC (Frances “Baby” Houseman) is elated to make her national tour debut! One of her favorite credits includes West Side Story at City Springs Theatre Company in her home state of Georgia. She would love to thank Eleanor and the entire casting/creative team for letting her have the time of her life. Thanks Mom.

BLAKE ZELESNIKAR (Johnny Castle). NY: Gotta Dance!, A Chorus Line 50th Anniversary (Don). 1st National Tours: Mean Girls (Shane Oman), Phantom of the Opera, An American in Paris, Flashdance. Regional: Bull Durham, 3 Summers of Lincoln, Chicago, Jerome Robbins Broadway. Thank you to my family and wife, @jessicaleegoldyn for your love and support! @b_zelez

OLIVIA CECE (Penny Johnson) is thrilled to be playing Penny in Dirty Dancing: The Musical. Broadway: Moulin Rouge, (OBC) Heart of Rock & Roll. Tours: The Prom, Charlie & The Chocolate Factory. Credits: “SNL”, “Lady in Lake,” “Your Friends & Neighbors,” Meg Thee Stallion, NYFW, “Good Morning America,” “Blues Clues.” Thanks to Lakey Wolff Co, my family, teachers, and Dylan. Excited for this venture. Here we go! @Livcece.

BRYAN FENKART (Jake Houseman). Broadway/Off-Bway/Tour: Memphis, Waitress, Little Shop of Horrors. Regional: Hard Road to Heaven, Water for Elephants, Darling Grenadine, These Paper Bullets!, Diner, Piece of My Heart. TV: “Manifest”, “FBI”, “Harlem”, “Interview with the Vampire”, “Chicago Med”, “Law & Order: Criminal Intent”. Thanks to my reps, fam, and Bluebird. Socials: @BryanFenkart.

DAN KLIMKO (Neil Kellerman) is overwhelmingly excited to be making his National Tour Debut. Regional credits include Les Miserables (The Muny) and Jersey Boys (The Lex). He endlessly thanks his family (Dirty Dancing is mom’s favorite movie!), Zoey, friends, and his agents and team at Henderson Hogan for all of their support.

ASHLEY LALONDE (Elizabeth). Favorite credits include Hamilton (Eliza/Angelica/Peggy Cover, Tour), Dreamgirls (Deena, WPPAC), Hair (Sheila, CSC), Next to Normal (Natalie, WCP), Black Rabbit (Netflix), and world premieres at American Repertory Theater, Lincoln Center, and National Black Theatre. Harvard University, B.A. Sociology. Love to God, Noah, & family! Matthew 6:33 @ashleylalaa.

GINA LAMPARELLA (Marjorie Houseman) has appeared on Broadway in Caroline or Change, The Phantom of the Opera, A Little Night Music, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Fiddler on the Roof, Gypsy, Imaginary Friends, Jane Eyre, & Les Misérables. Lots of other theatre (including as director and choreographer). TV: “The Other Two,” “The Blacklist,” “Master of None” @ginalamp.

LOREN LESTER (Max Kellerman). Broadway: Cabaret. National Tour: The Band’s Visit. TV: 200+ episodes including “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins,” “The Orville,” “Hung” (recurring), Robin/Nightwing on “Batman: The Animated Series.” Film (favorites): Wes Craven’s Red Eye, Rock ‘n’ Roll High School. Regional: Pasadena Playhouse, North Coast Rep, LA Philharmonic. @actorlorenlester.

ETHAN PETERSON (Billy Kostecki). Credits: “Elsbeth” (CBS). Next To Normal (Gabe), The Great Emu War (Goodspeed), Rent (Mark), Into The Woods (Baker), Sweeney Todd, Trampoline (54 Below). Recently Graduated from Penn State, BFA Musical Theatre. Performed PSU v. Michigan halftime show. Special thanks to his Mom, Dad, and agents for all the support! @ethanrpeterson.

ERICK PINNICK (Tito Suarez) has appeared in 1st National tours of Shucked, Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, and Sunset Boulevard. NY credits: A Christmas Carol at MSG and The Tin Pan Alley Rag with Roundabout Theatre Company. TV credits: “Blacklist”, “EVIL”, and “The Good Fight”. Proud  graduate of James Madison University and AEA and SAG member.

EMMA JADE BRANSON (Swing). Proud Boston Conservatory Dance alumna. Credits: Complexions Contemporary Ballet and the 1st & 2nd National Tour of The Cher Show. Huge thanks to The TRC Company and creative team for this opportunity! All my love and thanks to my family. IG: @emmabranson.

MARCUS ANTHONY BYERS, JR. (Swing). National Tour Debut! Marcus is thrilled to bring this story back to the stage. Recently, High Spirits at New York City Center Encores! Regional: Music Theatre Wichita, Classical Theatre of Harlem. Proud University of Michigan alum. Glory to God. IG: @marcusbyersjr.

JONAS COHEN (Mr. Schumacher/Ensemble) is delighted to join Dirty Dancing: The Musical. Theater credits include Riverside Theatre, Walnut Street, Portland Stage, & Great Lakes Theater Festival. TV credits include: “Succession,” “Mr. Robot,” “FBI,” “Law & Order: SVU,” and “The Equalizer.”

SARAH ELLIS (Vivian/Ensemble). WI born, NYC based, Proud Penn Stater. Actor, Filmmaker, Symphony Guest Artist, Dir/Choreographer. 1st Nat’l Tours: A Gentleman’s Guide…, Austen’s Pride. Find more at meetsarahellis.com. Say HI @iamsarahellis IG/TikTok. For Dad. Always. 

ARIA CHRISTINA EVANS (Swing) is over the moon to be making her National Tour Debut in Dirty Dancing: The Musical. Recent; Guys and Dolls (Shakespeare Theatre Company), Beautiful (Asolo Rep Theatre). Endless thanks to her wonderful team at Hudson Artists and her incredible friends and family! Let’s dance! @ariacevans.

ANTHONY J. GASBARRE III (Swing). is excited to join the National Tour of Dirty Dancing: The Musical. Tour: Back to the Future (Ensemble, u/s George McFly) West Side Story (Action, u/s Riff) Regionally: Escape to Margaritaville (Ogunquit) Saturday Night Fever (MSMT), Grease (KC Starlight) TV/Film: “Papi Wines”, “The Crowded Room”, “Bros”, “Succession”. Wichita State University, BFA-Musical Theatre. @agasbarre

LILY KREN (Lisa Houseman/Ensemble). Broadway: The Who’s Tommy. National Tour: Summer: The Donna Summer Musical. Regional favorites: Gulfshore Playhouse, Riverside Theatre, Casa Mañana. BFA Musical Theatre, Texas State. Love to Dad, Family, Roan, Avalon Artists Group. For Momma.

ZOE EDAN LEMELMAN (Ensemble). From Boston to Pace University, Zoe makes her national tour debut with Dirty Dancing: The Musical. Credits: AHF’s Ohh Mamma Burlesque (Shannon Beach/Anthony Garza), Rebecca Black’s Speakerphone (Richy Jackson). Grateful for her family. IG: @zoe.edan <3

FRANCESCA MANCUSO (Ensemble). National Tour Debut and overjoyed to be here! Regional: Goodspeed, Drury Lane, Flat Rock, Weston, New London Barn. TV: “Maisel.” Director of Development for Interim Dance Collective. Love to TRC, DGRW, her parents, sisters, and Daniel. @frenchiemancuso.

BRETT RAWLINGS (Ensemble). National Tour: Austen’s Pride Select Regional: Paper Mill Playhouse, Ogunquit Playhouse, Casa Mañana, Stages St. Louis, John W. Engeman Theater. A huge thank you to his family, friends, TRC, and DGRW. BFA TCU @brettrawlings.

JASON RICHARDS (Moe/Ensemble) is a Jeff Award-winning Chicago-based actor whose credits include productions at Marriott Theatre, Paramount Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Mercury Theater Chicago, and Peninsula Players. Endless thanks to DDO, Elya, and his incredible family, without whom none of this would be possible.

ANTONY SANCHEZ (Robbie/Ensemble). Select credits: West Side Story International Tour (Bernardo), Paper Mill Playhouse, Barrington Stage, Fulton Theatre. TV: “American Horror Story”, “Law & Order”, “Dying for Sex”. Thanks to CESD and TRC. Love to my family, friends and Hunter. @sanchez_antony_

GRACE SAUTTER (Ensemble) is a NYC native who most recently performed with the Martha Graham Dance Company for their Centennial. She is thrilled to be making her theatre debut with this incredible team! @bygracesautter @gracesautter.

NEIL STARKENBERG (Ensemble). BROADWAY: Mamma Mia! (Pepper, u/s Sky). TOUR: Mrs. Doubtfire, Peter Pan, Mamma Mia!. TELEVISION: “Instinct”, “How I Met Your Mother.” Thanks to the creative team & TRC. Love to the fam, Brad, & LA Talent @njstarkenberg.

FISHER LANE STEWART (Ensemble) is having the time of his life on his second National Tour! Fisher grew up performing professionally in Kansas City. Recent: Back To The Future National Tour, Disney Cruise Line. Many Thanks to TR casting and family! IG: @fisherlstewart.

JOHN SWAPSHIRE (Ensemble). Blending art, Spirituality, and personal development. This Aquarian Visionary uses storytelling, intuitive insight, and energetic awareness to inspire growth. Their work encourages authenticity, Deep self-awareness, and freedom through art and spirituality. 

CARMELLA TAITT (Ensemble). “Born and Raised in Brooklyn, NY, Carmella has performed in the First National Tours of Jagged Little Pill, and Moulin Rouge! The Musical. Credits include: Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, Vogue NYFW, and more! Thank you to my Loved ones! @c.melllaa.

Dirty Dancing: The Musical will be directed by Tony Award® nominee, Obie Award® winner, and two-time Emmy Award® winner Lonny Price (Sunset Boulevard, Sweeney Todd), who played Neil Kellerman in the original Dirty Dancing film, with choreography by Darrell Grand Moultrie (Fat Ham, Beyonce’s World Tour). Bringing to the stage the celebrated story from Eleanor Bergstein — the original screenwriter of the film — the musical captures the pulse, romance, and youthful urgency that have defined Dirty Dancing for nearly four decades. This follows Lionsgate’s announcement that the Dirty Dancing sequel starring Jennifer Grey – from The Hunger Games producers Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson– will begin production this year.

With a fresh creative approach to the timeless love story, this new production will tour North America with an aim to reconnect audiences with the heart, heat, and rebellious spirit that made Dirty Dancing a worldwide sensation.

Dirty Dancing is an enduring cultural phenomenon that began with the iconic film that grossed over $200 million at the worldwide box office and went on to launch two multiplatinum soundtrack albums, numerous #1 hit singles, won an Academy Award® for Best Original Song and a Grammy® Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. The original film is one of Lionsgate’s all-time best-selling library titles. This new North American stage tour aims to honor that legacy while reinventing the live experience for a new era.

Dirty Dancing: The Musical is produced by The Path Entertainment Group, in association with Lionsgate and Magic Hour Productions.

The creative team includes set design by Brett J. Banakis, costume design by Emily Rebholz, lighting design by Japhy Weideman, sound design by two-time Tony Award® winner Kai Harada, and video design by David Bengali. Casting is by The TRC Company / Claire Burke, CSA & Peter Van Dam, CSA, with music supervision and arrangements by Joseph Joubert. Alchemy Production Group serves as General Manager.

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