Baby and the cast of “Dirty Dancing: The Musical” are headed to Broadway next year, but not before the musical makes its Arkansas premiere at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville this month. On stage for eight performances Oct. 21-25, “Dirty Dancing: The Musical” revisits the award-winning soundtrack and the sweet summer love story at the center of the 1987 film starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey.

The current tour launched in Saint Paul, Minn., in August with Obie Award winner Lonny Price, who played Neil Kellerman in the original film, as a director. The book was written by the film’s original scriptwriter Eleanor Bergstein with choreography by Darrell Grand Moultrie (who has worked with Beyonce). The current tour is set to land in Broadway’s Lena Horne Theatre in February 2027.

Annalese Starzec, who is making her tour debut as main character Frances “Baby” Houseman in “Dirty Dancing,” took a few minutes during a tour break to answer questions about the production for What’s Up!

How excited are you to take this show to Broadway?

Personally, I am thrilled to be taking this production to Broadway. It has always been a dream of mine to perform on Broadway. I come from a very small town, and a dream like this always felt lofty. I cannot overstate how much of a dream come true all of this is. Not only this, but having the privilege to originate such an iconic role is not something I take lightly. It’s a role and character that many people hold so close to their heart, as there are a lot of big fans of this movie, and I am so excited to be a part of bringing that character to the musical theatre canon.

So many of us know and love the film. What differences can audiences expect in this new stage production?

I always like to say that the stage production of “Dirty Dancing: The Musical” gives you all the iconic moments and scenes that you love from the movie but adds an extra layer of energy and humanity. When you watch the movie, you get tight up close shots of the actors, but what would happen if you zoomed out and could see the entire room? That is what the stage production gives you. Also, there are a couple of added scenes that help you gain a better understanding of characters that lovers of the film already know.

What was your experience with the film and the musical before you stepped into Baby’s dance shoes?

I had seen the movie a few times, and I always really enjoyed it. It is such a classic! Since this is a completely new stage production of this material, I didn’t know much about the exact script and production before rehearsals. However, I grew up loving the soundtrack to the film, and in the musical, many of those iconic songs act as Baby’s soundtrack for the summer.

Tell me about your take on Baby. How do you relate to her and how do you make such a well-known character your own?

Baby and I have many things in common. She is very focused, driven and has goals to help herself be the highest achieving person that she can be. Playing a character with such strong ideals is inspiring. She is a strong woman and will not stop at anything to help the people that she loves. Throughout the story, we get to see Baby discover what it means to love and find her own agency. Many of her incredible attributes come from her father, but throughout the summer, we see her break away for the first time. The story takes place the summer before Baby goes to college, so it is such a time of transformation in her life.

I am in no way imitating the performance of Baby from the movie. If I did, nobody would care. They could just watch the movie. A big part of the conversation I had with the creative team when taking on this role was performing Baby from a genuine place. No imitation. No reproduction. I just do my best to give an honest and faithful performance and let the story and discovery unfold every night.

What was it like learning all of that exciting choreography, especially the iconic lift at the end of the musical, and how do you maintain Baby’s newness as a dancer?

This is one one of the most exciting parts about getting to play Baby every night. Learning how to dance was one of the best things that I ever got to do in this life, and I get to take the journey of someone learning how to do that every night. How exciting! Our choreography team, Darrell Grand Moultrie and Abdur-Rahim Jackson, were a pleasure to work with. They gave such creative life and vision to the soundtrack of this musical. They helped me find a vocabulary to use every night when discovering how to dance, and I am extremely grateful to work with a team like them. Of course, the lift is in the musical, and when you have a partner as good as Blake Zelesnikar (the actor who plays Johnny Castle), it’s just a thrill! You can feel the audience’s anticipation grow throughout the entire night in preparation for the lift, so by the time it comes, we are all so ready for it.

How have audiences responded to the show? Any spontaneous dancing in the aisles? Can you hear people singing along from the crowd?

The audience response has been one of the most exciting aspects of bringing this show to different cities across the United States. It is such a pleasure to bring this show to so many fans who walk in wanting to experience something they know and love and dance out humming their favorite song from the show because it is so infectious. Every night at bows, the audience sings along and I always love to hear the whole theater coming together. The whole reason to come see the musical live in the theater is to feel the electric energy and that you are a guest at Kellerman’s resort. Our main goal is to bring that energy to you and inspire you to dance and sing and “have the time of your life!”

What would you say the overall message of this show is?

The show is about discovery and agency. Baby finds her voice and individuality by meeting some people at Kellerman’s who have a completely different lived experience than her, and in expanding her horizons, she finds out just how far she is willing to go in order to stand up for not only what is right, but for the people that she loves. This spreads to Johnny and inspires him to take a leap and stand up for Baby at the end of the musical. I hope the audience leaves feeling inspired to stand up for what’s right and who they love, “no matter what it costs them.”

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FAQ

“Dirty Dancing: The Musical”

WHAT — Making its Arkansas premiere before the cast takes the show to the Lena Horne Theatre for its Broadway debut, “Dirty Dancing: The Musical” brings the coming-of-age story from film to the stage. The musical adaptation is directed by Obie Award winner Lonny Price (“Sunset Boulevard,” “Sweeney Todd”), who played Neil Kellerman in the original film. Choreography is by Darrell Grand Moultrie (“Fat Ham,” Beyonce). Eleanor Bergstein — the original screenwriter of the film — wrote the book for the musical. Two hours and 20 minutes with one intermission.

WHEN — 7 p.m. Oct. 21; 1:30 & 7 p.m. Oct. 22; 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23; 2 & 7:30 p.m. Oct. 24; 2 & 7 p.m. Oct. 25.

WHERE — Walton Arts Center, 495 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville

COST — Standard all-in ticket prices are $48.30-$120.75 with a $49 ticket lottery.

INFO — Tickets and more at waltonartscenter.org or by calling (479) 443-5600.

BONUS — Pink House Alchemy has partnered with WAC to shake up guests night at Kellerman’s with a hands-on cocktail class. This interactive experience includes the secrets of crafting two cocktails or mocktails using PH Alchemy syrups and bitters. Plus, the recipe cards from class come with 10% off ingredients at Liquor World. Classes are Thursday, Oct. 22 at 5:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 23 and Saturday, Oct. 24 at 6 p.m. Classes are $51.75.