Have the time of your life at 'Dirty Dancing,' March 21–22

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — “Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on Stage” brings a new production to Penn State with two shows — 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, March 21 and 22, in Eisenhower Auditorium. The touring Broadway musical, adapted from the popular 1987 film, features heart-pounding music, passionate romance and sensational dancing.

It’s the summer of 1963, and 17-year-old Frances “Baby” Houseman is on vacation in the Catskill Mountains with her older sister and parents. Mesmerized by the racy dance moves and pounding rhythms she discovers in the resort’s staff quarters, Baby can’t wait to be part of the scene, especially when she catches sight of Johnny Castle, the resort’s sexy dance instructor.

The North American tour features new direction by Sarna Lapine (Broadway production of “Sunday in the Park with George” and North American tour of “War Horse”). The production also features an eight-piece band performing the timeless hits, including “Hungry Eyes,” “Hey Baby,” “Do You Love Me?” and the Oscar-winning original song “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life.”

“Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on Stage” was first performed at the Theatre Royal in Sydney, Australia, in November 2004 before embarking upon a successful tour of Australia and New Zealand. A new production opened at the Theater Neue Flora in Hamburg, Germany, in March 2006, where it broke records for achieving the highest advance in European history. The production, having begun performances on London’s West End in October 2006, went on to become the longest-running show in the history of the Aldwych Theatre. It closed in July 2011 in advance of a two-year U.K. national tour and then returned to London for a strictly limited season at the Piccadilly Theatre.

Visit the Center for the Performing Arts online or call 814-863-0255 for more information about the production. A free Friday Night Dance Social where participants can learn to bachata will be held March 16. For details, click here.

Audio description, which is especially helpful to patrons with sight loss, is available for the March 22 performance at no extra charge to ticket holders. Reservations for audio description are required by Thursday, March 8. Phone 814-238-0132 to reserve the service.

Artistic Viewpoints, an informal moderated discussion featuring a visiting artist or artists, is offered in Eisenhower one hour before each performance and is free for ticket holders. Artistic Viewpoints regularly fills to capacity, so seating is available on a first-arrival basis.

Steve and Sandy Elbin; Richard and Jeane Singer; Jack and Diana Brenizer; Mimi Barash Coppersmith; Nancy Herron; and Larry Walker, Kissinger Bigatel & Brower Realtors sponsor the performance.

WTAJ-TV is the media sponsor.

Find the Center for the Performing Arts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.